DERMATOLOGY VENEREOLOGY & LEPROSY – R L Jalappa Hospital and Research Center

OVERVIEW

The Department of Dermatology was started in the year 1988. The Department renders specialized care in cutaneous diseases to the rural population of Kolar and surrounding districts. The Department consists of dedicated staff & enthusiastic residents. Together, the team is committed to patient care by detailed work up of the patients, discussions and more efficient management of patients. The consultants & residents cater to the needs of the patients with utmost care & compassion. The department has state of the art instruments like Cryosurgery equipment’s, Radiofrequency Cautery machine, NBUVB chamber, Microdermabrasion machine, Centrifuge for PRP, Q-switched ND YAG LASER, Fractional CO2 Laser, Long pulsed ND YAG hair removal Laser.

VISION

“To become a centre of excellence in clinical dermatology, research and training for the region”.

MISSION

“To be a regional institute for teaching, training and research in the field of Dermatology”.

Why RLJH?

The department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy at R.L Jalappa Hospital ( RLJH) aims to serve people of Kolar and neighboring districts by offering state-of-the-art facilities in treatment of disease of the skin and its appendages. It offers high technology facilities such as phototherapy services, LASER units for Hair removal, Scar revision and pigment reduction. The department also offers other dermatologic and cosmetic procedures.

The faculty and clinical associates of the department have expertise in various sub-specialties in dermatology, Which includes Acne, Proriasis, Eczematous disorders, infectious diseases of skin, Leprosy, STD including HIV and Dermato Surgery. The department caters to outpatient and in patients and offers skin care services in a caring compassionate and sensitive manner.

TREATMENT & PROCEDURES

IN PATIENT/OUT PATIENT SERVICES	AESTHETIC PROCEDURES
Leprosy	Chemical peeling
Vitiligo	Dermabrasions
Psoriasis	Subcision
Contact Dermatitis	PRF/PRP injections
Sexually transmitted diseases	Dermaroller
Pigmentary disorders	LASERS
DERMATOSURGERY PROCEDURES	Pigment/tattoo removal
Radiofrequency ablation	Scar revision
Electrocautery	Hair removal
Cryosurgery	PHOTO THERAPY
Intralesional injections	IONTOPHORESIS
Punch excision	DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES
Punch graft for vitiligo	Skin biopsy
Blister grafting	Patch test
	Slit skin smear
	Gram staining
	Tzank smear

FACILITIES AND SERVICES

SPECIALITY CLINIC

Specialty clinics are conducted on particular days of the week with special emphasis to create peer groups for patient support, to facilitate student teaching, and creating patient records for monitoring.

SPECIALITY CLINIC	DAY
Autoimmune disease clinic and vesiculobullous diseases.	Monday
Leprosy clinic	Tuesday
Sexually transmitted infections clinic	Wednesday
Pigmentary clinic	Thursday
Psoriasis clinic	Friday
Contact dermatitis clinic	Saturday

Autoimmune disease clinic and vesiculobullous diseases.

The specialty clinic is conducted on Monday of every week with special emphasis on Autoimmune skin diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus, Scleroderma & vesiculobullous diseases like pemphigus group of diseases and other bullous disorders.

Leprosy clinic:

Leprosy clinic is conducted on Tuesday of every week. Since leprosy is a chronic disorder with long treatment with great social stigma, hence to combat this and build up patient morale and help them in day-to-day activities a special clinic is conducted for patient examination, treatment, and follow-up.

Sexually transmitted infections clinic:

Sexually transmitted infections clinic is conducted on Wednesday of every week. Sexually transmitted diseases are considered taboo in society. Hence to create awareness towards these diseases like Syphilis, Genital Warts, Genital Herpes, Gonorrhea, and Genital ulcer diseases this clinic is being conducted.

Pigmentary clinic:

The pigmentary clinic is conducted on Thursday of every week. The clinic deals with pigmentary dermatoses of genetic and acquired causes.

Psoriasis clinic:

Psoriasis clinic is conducted on Friday of every week. Being a chronic papulosquamous disorder of great morbidity and taking a toll on the quality of patients’ life is treated with a holistic approach and one-to-one care.

Contact dermatitis clinic:

Contact dermatitis clinic is conducted on Saturday of every week. Various contact dermatitis like allergic contact dermatitis, Irritant contact dermatitis & Airborne contact dermatitis are treated and patients are counseled regarding the prevention of these diseases.

Faculty

Sl No.	Name	Qualification	Designation
1	Dr.T.S.Rajashekar	MBBS, MD	Professor & HOD
2	Dr.Hanumanthayya.K	MBBS, MD	Professor
3	Dr.Suresh Kumar.K	MBBS, MD	Asst.Professor
4	Dr.Uday Kumar.S	MBBS,MD,	Senior Resident
5	Dr.SnehaKrishnoji Rao	MBBS,MD	Senior.Resident

EXPLORE STORIES

CASE 1

A Case of keratoderma presented to us with thick hyperkeratotic plaques, the patient was managed with topical Retinoids & Keratolytics.

CASE 2

A Case of Vitiligo. Managed with oral and topical steroids along with topical immunomodulators & phototherapy.

CASE 3

Serial photographs of a patient of pemphigus Vulgaris treated with Dexamethasone Cyclophophasmide pulse therapy.

CASE 4

A Case of pustular psoriasis treated with systemic retinoids showing improvement.

FAQ’S

What is Vitiligo?

Melanocytes produce ‘melanin’ which gives our skin a brown colour. Loss of these cells leads to loss of the colour leading to white patches. Vitiligo is a skin condition in which the pigment-producing cells of the skin, called as ‘melanocytes’ are destroyed.

Is Vitiligo hereditary? Is Vitiligo transmissible to family members or contacts?

Vitiligo affects approximately 1% of the population. Sometimes it is seen in other members of the family. The inheritance pattern is complex since Vitiligo is caused by multiple factors. On an average it has been found that 20 – 30 % of all Vitiligo patients have at least one close relative afflicted by the disease. No. Vitiligo is not transmissible to family members or contacts.

What should one do if one develops hives?

Recognizing and avoiding the trigger is most important. In mild consult of physicians and anti-histaminic tablet and application of a soothing calamine lotion will provide relief. In recurrent episodes or chronic cases consult a dermatologist.

What are the important aspects to know about urticaria?

Urticaria is not contagious they are rarely permanent almost 50% of the people are free of lesions within one year. Chronic urticaria is rarely caused by allergies and is not life threatening it is treatable in most people, and may need few months to few years of long term anti histamine therapy.

How can one get psoriasis?

The Exact cause of psoriasis is not known. It is a complex interplay between genetics and immunology.
Genetics susceptibility and environmental factors are responsible for disease normally the epidermis or outer layer of skin is continuously replaced and it takes place in 3 & 4 weeks. There is increased turnover of skin cells in psoriasis so that the skin cells are formed and shed within a week.

Is psoriasis hereditary ? Is psoriasis transmissible to family members or contacts?

Psoriasis is multifactorial disease. it can be inherited, but the mechanisms are complex. It is not necessary that children of affected parents will develop psoriasis but there is a higher chance of dev eloping psoriasis compared to children of non-affected parents. If one parent is affected, then the chance of developing psoriasis in the child is approximately 15% and chances are increased to 40% if both parents are affected. Psoriasis is not an infectious disease & cannot be transmitted by contact.

What is Leprosy?

Leprosy is a bacterial disease caused by a slow growing
bacteria (Mycobacterium leprae). It affects mainly skin and peripheral nerves. Sometimes eyes and other parts of the body may be involved.

How can one get Leprosy?

Leprosy is an infectious disease and a person is affected based on the immune response elicited by the body towards the infectious organism. The transmission of the bacteria is through the respiratory tract (through nose/pharynx) and in few cases through directs prolonged contact with an open/ untreated case of leprosy. One is unlikely to get leprosy from a patient who has taken treatment for leprosy with multi-drug therapy(MDT) adequately. A leprosy patient becomes noninfectious within one week after receiving first dose of treatment.

Is Leprosy hereditary? Is Leprosy transmissible to family members or contacts?

No. Leprosy is not hereditary. Yes, leprosy can be transmissible to family members or contacts. However all cases of leprosy are not transmissible. Patients who have a poor immune response to the leprosy organism and have increased number of leprosy bacilli are more likely to transmit the disease.

How can Leprosy be treated?

Leprosy is treated with MDT (Multi drug therapy). Depending up on the type of Leprosy, MDT can be given for 6- 12 months. The dosage regimens include single dose (ROM therapy for single lesion pauci-bacillary leprosy), for six months(two drugs for pauci-bacillary) and for one year (three drugs for multi-bacillary). Treatment for leprosy can also be availed free of charge at public hospitals.

How does one get Acne?

Excess sebum (oil) in the skin: The oil producing glands in the skin are stimulated by hormones after puberty to produce more sebum. Clogged pores (pilosebaceous unit): The dead cells, bacteria & sebum form a plug at the outlet of the pilosebaceous follicle and appear as black heads (open comedones). If the plug remains below the surface it appears as whiteheads (closed comedones) Bacteria (P.Acnes): The bacteria causes inflammation in the pilosebaceous unit. P.Acnes also initiates comedone formation. Inflammation: This leads to formation of large solid bumps, pustules & fluid filled cavities called cysts.

Why should we treat Acne?

Acne may resolve or subside over time. However, it may not clear on its own and may produce pus-filled lesions and large swellings which may leave permanent disfiguring scars, if left untreated. Acne often causes poor self-image, depression & anxiety to the person afflicted by the condition. The therapy recommendations and counseling by your dermatologist will help in easing the physical and psychological scarring caused by the disease.