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INTRODUCTION

The diagnostic importance of the physical signs described in the first chapter, and the benefits of accurate description of these, are clear. However, while close-up morphology may be diagnostic in some instances, such as in most cases of psoriasis, in others it only identifies an area of diagnosis. For example, close-up morphology that is clinically eczematous may occur in a variety of different endogenous eczemas, contact dermatitis, some drug eruptions, early bullous pemphigoid, and so on. Further diagnostic clues come from the history of the lesion or eruption, and from its overall pattern and body site distribution. This chapter discusses the factors to consider in the dermatologic history, specific aspects of the cutaneous examination, specific body site aspects (usually termed regional dermatology), and clinical investigation.

Treatments will be discussed in more detail in specific disease chapters and in Chapters 3-5.

White/Cox: Diseases of the Skin, 2ed.(c) 2006, Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.