History and Key Factors
As with other systems, making a dermatological diagnosis consists of taking a history, examining the patient and performing appropriate investigations.
In the history there are a few salient points to consider when evaluating a patient with a skin condition [1,3]. These are:
Presenting a complaint
- When, where and how problems started
- Symptoms, e.g. itching
- Aggravating factors, e.g. sunlight
Past history
- Systemic illness, e.g. diabetes/TB/cancer
- Previous skin problems
- Atopic conditions, e.g. hayfever/asthma
- Allergies (not just to medications)
- Prescribed and over the counter medications
Family history
- Infectious contacts
- Genetic conditions
- Sexual contacts
Occupation/hobbies
- Chemicals or materials the patient may have come into contact with
- Animals or pets
- Living conditions
- Alcohol intake
- Travel history to endemic areas / trekking history to tick prone areas