Centre to research skin conditions

[Posted: Fri 13/06/2008 by Niall Hunter, Editor www.irishhealth.com]

Plans for a major new Dublin centre dedicated to dermatology in Ireland have been announced.
 
The Charles Institute will be named after Andrew Charles, the founder of Hume Street Skin and Cancer Hospital in Dublin, which closed down in 2006.

The Institute will recruit upwards of 50 scientists, graduate students and doctors and will be devoted to research on skin conditions and the training of health professionals in dermatology.
 
The new 2,000 square metre institute will be built on the UCD campus at Belfield at a cost of €18 million;€12 million of this funding comes from the Board of the Hume Street Skin and Cancer Hospital from the sale of the Hume Street Hospital site, and €6 million of the funding is from University College Dublin.
 
Skin conditions are the fourth most common reason for GP visits in Ireland. Each year, 15% of all GP visits are because of a skin complaint.

The prevalence of skin diseases such as skin cancer, leg ulcers, and atopic eczema has increased steadily over the past 20 years and skin cancer is the commonest form of cancer in Ireland.

It is estimated that between 25% and 33% of the Irish population suffer from a skin condition at any one time.
 
The incidence of malignant melanoma, a potentially fatal skin cancer, is rising in Ireland – with approximately 600 people being diagnosed with melanoma of skin every year. A further 6,200 people are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer each year.
 
“Chronic skin disease has a significant impact on quality of life for sufferers and their families,” says Dr Paul Collins, Consultant Dermatologist at St Vincent’s University Hospital. 

“Although these conditions are not fatal, many patients are susceptible to disturbed body image, lack of confidence and depression.”
 
“The conditions can prove physically disabling, disfiguring, painful and intensely irritating, and often result in loss of sleep, disruption to family life, teasing and bullying in school, difficulty in achieving employment and problems in forming social relationships,” said Dr Collins.

"The Charles Institute will launch new research investigations into the understanding and the treatment of dermatological conditions,” said Professor Desmond Fitzgerald, Vice-President for Research at University College Dublin.
 
The new Institute will be located at the UCD Belfield campus between the UCD Conway Institute and the new UCD Health Sciences Centre which houses the disciplines of medicine, nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy and diagnostic imaging.
 
“Most GPs in Ireland only learn about dermatology through exposure to skin disease in their daily practice. Even primary care nurses, 25% of whose caseload is patients with skin disease, have had no formal training programme in dermatology,” says Mr Peter O’Flanagan, Chair of the Board of the City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital.
 
“The Charles Institute will provide for the future training of all healthcare professionals dedicated to curing skin disease. It will coordinate a national programme of continued medical education and patient advocacy to improve the well-being of patients suffering from dermatological conditions,” he said.

Anonymous   Posted: 01/09/2008 21:55

I have 11 or 12 lumps on my left elbow for about 3 years and 4 on my right. They have increased in number over the years. They seem to be under the skin but quite inflamed looking ie sometimes are red and sore it i bang off something like a table. Been waiting for 1 year to see a dermatologist and dont have an appointment till Jan '09. Not Psoriasis though. Does anyone have any idea what they could be? Thanks

Whisp  Posted: 17/10/2009 08:51

I have had psoriasis for the past 25 years and have now developed basal cell carcanoma. I wonder if the two are related?

paudi  Posted: 27/02/2010 17:49

does anyone know of treatment available for acne rosea?

jamieH  Posted: 05/10/2010 17:59

hI paudi, I'm having severe acne for years now but it's almost gone because of Puraskin Acne Treatment. This product won't harm your skin because it doesn't contain harsh chemicals like other products. It targets acne internally and externally. I hope you will also have the same result as mine, if you'll use it.

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