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To make authoritative information about the skin available to anyone in the world with an internet connection.
DermNet NZ was launched in 1996 by a group of Dermatologists from New Zealand. It has become a world-renowned resource of skin disease information.
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Macular amyloidosis
What is macular amyloidosis?Macular amyloidosis is one of three forms of primary localised cutaneous amyloidosis.
Cannabinoids in dermatology
What is cannabis?Cannabis refers to one of two notable subspecies of the cannabis plant.
Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome
What is immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome?Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) usually describes the paradoxical worsening of pre-existing infectious processes after...
Fragrances and perfumes
What are fragrances and perfumes?A fragrance is defined as a combination of organic compounds that produces a distinct smell or...
Radiographic investigations in melanoma
What are radiographic investigations?Radiographic investigations produce images of tissues and bones under the skin.
Pharmacogenomics in dermatology
What is pharmacogenomics?Pharmacogenomics aims to provide an understanding of how a patient’s whole genome influences their individual response to therapeutics.
Naevus lipomatosus superficialis
What is naevus lipomatosus superficialis?Naevus lipomatosus superficialis is a developmental malformation (a cutaneous hamartoma or type of birthmark).
Sturge–Weber syndrome
What is Sturge–Weber syndrome?Sturge–Weber syndrome is a rare, congenital, and non-inherited vascular disorder characterised by capillary malformation on the facial...
Lax beetle dermatosis
What is a lax beetle?Lax beetles are common insects that are found worldwide, belonging to the family Oedemeridae [1–3].
Idiopathic eruptive macular hyperpigmentation
What is idiopathic eruptive macular hyperpigmentation?Idiopathic eruptive macular hyperpigmentation is a rare benign pigmentary disorder characterised by asymptomatic hyperpigmented macules...
Acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation
What is acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation?Acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation comprises three conditions: Erythema dyschromicum perstans Lichen planus pigmentosus Idiopathic eruptive...
Eczema coxsackium
What is eczema coxsackium?Eczema coxsackium is an enteroviral infection affecting children with atopic dermatitis (eczema).
Reactive arthropathy
What is reactive arthropathy?Reactive arthropathy describes the inflammation of joints following an infection usually involving the gastrointestinal or urogenital tracts...
Cutaneous adverse effects of antimelanoma therapies
IntroductionThe introduction of targeted cancer therapies and immunotherapy has revolutionised the management and prognosis of metastatic melanoma, significantly improving drug...
Interferon regulatory factor 4 gene
IntroductionThe physical features of hair, skin, and eye colour, freckling, melanocytic naevi and the skin’s response to the sun are...
Inflammasomes and inflammatory skin diseases
What is the innate immune response?The innate immune response refers to the parts of the immune system that are immediately...
Calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment and gel
What is psoriasis?Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder characterised by circumscribed, red, scaly plaques.
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis dermoscopy
What is idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis?Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis is a commonly acquired leukoderma characterised by flat porcelain-white macules on sun-exposed areas.
Perpendicular white lines dermoscopy
What are perpendicular white lines?In dermoscopy, perpendicular white lines are short discrete white lines oriented parallel and orthogonal (perpendicular) to...
Hair shedding
What is hair shedding?Hair shedding is a normal part of the hair cycle and is an ongoing process.
Adjuvant therapies for malignant melanoma
What is adjuvant therapy?Adjuvant therapy is defined as a treatment given after the initial therapy.
Aquagenic urticaria
What is aquagenic urticaria?Aquagenic urticaria is a rare variant of chronic inducible urticaria that occurs in response to contact with...
Auriculotemporal syndrome
What is the auriculotemporal syndrome?The auriculotemporal syndrome is characterised by sweating, flushing, and warming over the preauricular area (the front...
Histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis
What is histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis?Histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis is a benign condition associated with lymphadenopathy (a disease of the lymph nodes;...
Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis
What is multicentric reticulohistiocytosis?Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis is a very rare systemic granulomatous disease classified as a reticulocytosis and proliferative non-Langerhans cell...
Diffuse alopecia
What is diffuse alopecia?Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss.
Genetic testing for melanoma
What is genetic testing for melanoma?Genes carry information in the form of DNA and control how cells function.
Nail disorder images
Nail disorders include acral lentiginous melanoma of the nail unit.
Dermoscopy of vitiligo
What is vitiligo?Vitiligo is a common acquired depigmentation of the skin due to autoimmune destruction of melanocytes.
Leishmaniasis images
Leishmaniasis is a parasite carried by sandflies.
Paedarus dermatitis
What is paedarus dermatitis?Paedarus dermatitis is a skin irritation due to contact with certain species of the rove beetle, such...
Terra firma-forme dermatosis
What is terra firma-forme dermatosis?Terra firma-forme dermatosis is a benign skin disorder that manifests as raised, dirty-appearing areas of skin.
Semen contact allergy
What is semen contact allergy?Semen contact allergy is a rare but notable form of allergic contact urticaria that occurs during...
Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus
What is bullous systemic lupus erythematosus?Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease that occurs in patients...
Key clinical-trial evidence for calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate foam
What is calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate foam?Calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate foam (trade name Enstilar®) is a dual-action investigational aerosol foam containing calcipotriol, a vitamin...
Calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate foam
What is psoriasis?Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder characterised by circumscribed, red, scaly plaques.
Cutaneous adverse reactions to calcineurin inhibitors
What are calcineurin inhibitors?Calcineurin inhibitors are drugs that work by inhibiting the calcium-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin, an enzyme that results...
Incontinence-associated dermatitis
What is incontinence-associated dermatitis?Incontinence-associated dermatitis is a form of irritant contact dermatitis due to contact with urine and faeces in...
Epstein–Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferative disorders
What is Epstein–Barr virus?Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), also known as human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4), is one of the eight known lymphotropic...
Skin Cancer and Self-Exams
Sponsored content: melanomas are notoriously difficult to discover and diagnose.
Dermatopathology topics
Eruptive xanthoma
IntroductionEruptive xanthoma presents as crops of pink papules which are often pruritic.
Juvenile xanthogranuloma
Juvenile xanthogranuloma usually presents in younger individuals as smooth pink or yellow nodules.
Verrucous haemangioma
IntroductionVerrucous haemangioma presents as blue-red, vascular papules, plaques or nodules, which later become warty in appearance.
Myiasis
Myiasis is infestation by the larvae of fly species within the arthropod order Diptera (the adult flies are two-winged).
Systemic amyloidosis
IntroductionSystemic amyloidosis caused by the buildup of amyloid in various organs.
Lichenoid drug eruption
IntroductionLichenoid drug reactions are induced by a medication or another exogenous source which can mimic other lichenoid dermatoses clinically and...
Sclerosing lipogranuloma
IntroductionSclerosing lipogranuloma usually presents as a painless or slightly tender, indurated mass on the penis, scrotum, spermatic cord and perineum.
Glomeruloid haemangioma
Glomeruloid haemangioma is a rare benign cutaneous vascular proliferation that typically arises in patients with a history of POEMS syndrome.
Splenosis
Splenosis may present in the skin following splenic trauma and subsequent spread of benign splenic tissue into surrounding structures.
Epithelioid haemangioma
IntroductionEpithelioid hemangioma is a benign vascular lesion of the skin or deeper structures (bone).
Cutaneous larva migrans
IntroductionCutaneous larva migrans is a parasitic skin infection caused by helminth larvae that usually infest cats, dogs and other animals.
Mesothelioma
IntroductionMesothelioma is a malignant tumour arises from mesothelial lining of pleura, peritoneum, pericardium and tunica vaginalis — pleural mesothelioma is...
Chickenpox
IntroductionChickenpox is caused by primary infection with the varicella-zoster virus, of the Herpesviridae family.
Synovial sarcoma
IntroductionSynovial sarcoma is usually an aggressive deep seated mass presenting around large joints (80% in knee and ankle) in young...
Clear cell fibrous papule
IntroductionClear cell fibrous papule is a rare variant of fibrous papule that has a clinical presentation identical to conventional fibrous...
Childhood infections
Meningococcal disease
What is meningococcal disease?Meningococcal disease is an illness caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis.
Measles
What is measles?Do you have confirmed measles?
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that causes an acute fever and blistered rash, mainly in children.
Fifth disease
What is erythema infectiosum?Erythema infectiosum is a common childhood infection causing a slapped cheek appearance and a rash.
Pityriasis rosea
Pityriasis rosea is a viral rash which lasts about 6–12 weeks. It is characterised by a herald patch followed by...
Impetigo
What is impetigo?Impetigo is a common acute superficial bacterial skin infection (pyoderma).
Boil
What is a boil?A boil (also called a furuncle) is a deep form of bacterial folliculitis (infection of a hair...
Hand foot and mouth disease
What is hand foot and mouth disease?Hand foot and mouth disease (HFM) is a common mild and short-lasting viral infection...
Papular acrodermatitis
What is papular acrodermatitis of childhood?Papular acrodermatitis of childhood is a characteristic response of the skin to viral infection in...
Molluscum contagiosum
What is molluscum contagiosum?Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral skin infection of childhood that causes localised clusters of epidermal papules...
VIral warts
What is a viral wart?A viral wart is a very common growth of the skin caused by infection with human...
Head lice
What are head lice?Head lice are small, wingless insects that infest the human scalp.
Scabies
What is scabies?Scabies is a very itchy rash caused by a parasitic mite that burrows in the skin surface.
Guidelines for authors
Are you interested in writing for us? DermNet New Zealand is always looking for potential authors to write on new topics. Potential authors interested in writing a new page are generally asked to write a topic page about a disease or condition, or a treatment, product or procedure.
