At UMCL, we understand that skin is not just a covering, but a complex and vital organ that requires special attention and professional care. Our experienced dermatologists are here to help you maintain the health and beauty of your skin, hair, and nails.

Why is Dermatology Important?

The skin is the largest organ in the human body, performing many essential functions, including protection, thermoregulation, immunity, excretion, and more. Skin health directly impacts overall well-being and quality of life. Skin care is especially important in Portugal, where abundant sunshine requires increased attention to protection from ultraviolet radiation. The sun can cause premature skin aging, pigmentation, sunburns, and, most seriously, the development of skin cancer.

What Conditions Does a Dermatologist Treat?

The dermatologists at UMCL are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails, including:

• Acne.
• Rosacea.
• Eczema (atopic dermatitis).
• Psoriasis.
• Seborrheic dermatitis.
• Fungal infections of the skin and nails (onychomycosis).
• Viral skin infections (herpes, warts, molluscum contagiosum).
• Bacterial skin infections (impetigo, furunculosis).
• Allergic dermatitis.
• Pigmentation disorders (vitiligo, melasma).
• Hair loss (alopecia, including androgenetic alopecia).
• Skin neoplasms (moles, papillomas, keratoses, basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, etc.).
• Sunburns.
• Ingrown nails.
• Other skin conditions.

When Should You See a Dermatologist?

It is important to consult a dermatologist if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Changes in the skin (rash, redness, itching, scaling, eruptions, blisters).
• New or changing moles.
• Enlargement of moles.
• Changes in the color of moles.
• Itching or tenderness in the area of moles.
• Appearance of new growths on the skin (papillomas, warts, keratoses).
• Hair loss.
• Changes in the structure or color of nails.
• Dryness or peeling of the skin.
• Appearance of cracks in the skin.
• Any other skin changes that cause concern.

What Diagnostic Methods Do We Use?

For accurate diagnosis of skin conditions, UMCL utilizes modern methods, including:

• Dermoscopy: Examination of the skin using a special instrument, a dermatoscope, which allows for detailed study of the structure of the skin and new growths.
• Wood's Lamp Examination: Used to diagnose fungal infections of the skin and certain other conditions.
• Skin Biopsy: Taking a small sample of tissue for examination under a microscope (histological examination).
• Other laboratory tests (as indicated).

Skin Growth Removal:

At UMCL, we perform the removal of various skin growths using modern and effective methods:

• Electrocautery: Removal of growths using electrical current.
• Cryodestruction (Liquid Nitrogen Removal): Freezing growths with liquid nitrogen.
• Surgical Excision: Removal of the growth with subsequent suturing.

Histological Examination of Removed Skin Growths:

At UMCL, we strongly recommend sending all removed skin growths for histological examination. This is necessary to determine the exact diagnosis and rule out malignant neoplasms (cancer). Histological examination allows us to determine the type of growth (e.g., papilloma, keratosis, atheroma, nevus, etc.) and ensure that there are no signs of cancer.

Trichology is a branch of dermatology that deals with the study and treatment of diseases of the hair and scalp. At UMCL, you can consult with a trichologist and undergo the necessary examination for hair loss, dandruff, itchy scalp, and other hair problems.