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Articles
Articles are listed in the order they are posted. To explore specific health topics, visit the Conditions page.
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Diagnosis of Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is usually diagnosed by its appearance and pattern of spread. It is a viral skin infection caused by a poxvirus that produces small, firm papules with a characteristic central depression, or umbilication. Because the lesions can resemble other common skin conditions, accurate diagnosis matters. A correct identification helps avoid unnecessary treatment, prevents confusion…
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Diagnosis of Menopause
Menopause is usually diagnosed by combining age, menstrual history, symptom pattern, and, in selected situations, laboratory testing. In most cases, especially when a person is over the typical menopausal age range and has gone a prolonged time without periods, diagnosis is mainly clinical rather than dependent on one definitive test. Accurate diagnosis matters because menopause…
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Diagnosis of Melasma
Melasma is usually identified through a clinical evaluation rather than a single definitive laboratory test. It is a chronic pigmentary disorder in which patches of skin develop excess melanin, most often on sun-exposed areas of the face. The diagnosis matters because melasma can resemble other forms of hyperpigmentation, some of which require different treatment or…
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Diagnosis of Melanoma
Melanoma is a malignant tumor that arises from melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells found mainly in the skin but also in the eyes and other tissues. It is typically identified through clinical examination of a suspicious lesion, followed by tissue sampling and microscopic analysis. Because melanoma can grow quickly, invade deeper skin layers, and spread to…
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Diagnosis of Jaundice
Jaundice is typically identified by visible yellow discoloration of the sclera, skin, or mucous membranes and then confirmed by showing that bilirubin is elevated in the blood. Diagnosis matters because jaundice is not a disease by itself but a sign that bilirubin is accumulating due to excessive production, impaired liver processing, or blocked bile flow.…
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Diagnosis of Vitiligo
Vitiligo is usually identified through a combination of clinical observation, medical history, and selective testing. The condition occurs when melanocytes, the cells that produce skin pigment, are lost or inactivated in specific areas of the skin. This leads to well-defined patches of lighter or completely depigmented skin. Because the pigment loss can resemble several other…
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Diagnosis of Urticaria
Urticaria, commonly called hives, is diagnosed primarily through a careful clinical evaluation rather than a single definitive laboratory test. The condition is usually recognized by the appearance of transient, raised, itchy wheals caused by the release of inflammatory mediators, especially histamine, from skin mast cells. These changes increase local blood vessel permeability and lead to…