This course is designed to equip Healthcare Assistants with foundational dermatology knowledge. This course covers essential aspects of skin anatomy and physiology, common skin conditions, infection recognition, and skin care techniques, particularly for aging skin.

Course Objectives:

• Gain a foundational understanding of skin anatomy and physiology.
• Familiarise with key terminology related to dermatology.
• Recognize clinical features of common skin conditions.
• Understand the impact of long-term skin conditions on health and quality of life.
• Identify and respond to skin infestations, infections, and skin cancers.
• Recognise the unique needs of aging skin for protection and wound prevention.
• Develop knowledge of treatments using soaps, moisturizers, and emollients for skin protection.

Course content/learning outcomes

Skin Anatomy and Physiology

• Understand the basic structure and functions of the skin.
• Learn terminology related to dermatology and skin anatomy.
• Skin layers (epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue) and their functions.
• Role of the skin in protection, thermoregulation, and sensation.
• Terminology in dermatology: lesion, erythema, edema, pustule, etc.

Clinical Features of Common Skin Conditions

• Identify and describe common skin conditions seen in clinical practice.
• Overview of common skin conditions: eczema, psoriasis, acne, contact dermatitis, rosacea.
• Visual identification of symptoms (e.g., redness, scaling, swelling).
• Recognising differences between acute and chronic skin issues.

Long-Term Impact of Skin Conditions

• Understand physical, psychological, and social impacts of chronic skin conditions.
• Impact of long-term conditions like eczema and psoriasis on mental health and quality of life.
• Role of healthcare assistants in providing emotional support to patients.
• Discussion on scarring, pigmentation changes, and other long-term effects.

Recognition of Skin Infestations and Infections

• Identify common skin infections and infestations
• Overview of common skin infections (e.g., impetigo, cellulitis, fungal infections).
• Recognition of infestations such as scabies and lice.
• Basic infection control practices.

Recognising Skin Cancers

• Develop awareness of skin cancer signs for early recognition and referral.
• Types of skin cancers: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma.
• ABCDE method for melanoma (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving).
• Importance of timely identification and referral pathways.

Care for Aging Skin

• Recognise unique characteristics and needs of aging skin.
• Learn preventive strategies for wound prevention in older adults.
• Changes in aging skin: thinning, reduced elasticity, increased dryness.
• Techniques for assessing skin integrity.

Treatments Using Soaps, Moisturizers, and Emollients

• Understand the purpose and application of soaps, moisturizers, and emollients.
• Types of skin care products and their roles in skin hydration and protection.
• Correct techniques for applying emollients and moisturizers.
• Considerations in choosing skin care products for different conditions.