Preface

There are several excellent color atlases of dermatology but most depict conditions affecting Caucasian skin. There are very few color atlases on conditions affecting Asian skin. Dermatologists in Asia have long noticed that dermatoses affecting Asians may have different clinical appearances from those affecting Caucasians. This is due to the inherent differences in skin color of the different races. The different pigmentary response following skin inflammation and injury also contributes to the characteristic clinical presentation of dermatoses in Asians. In addition, inherent genetic differences and unique Asian cultural practices also result in a different spectrum of skin conditions seen in Asians.

In this second edition, more than 90% of the clinical pictures found in the first edition have been refreshed. This new atlas expands on the previous by adding new conditions within existing chapters as well as including eight new chapters. Histology of key clinical conditions is now incorporated and will allow the physician to correlate what he sees clinically with what is ­happening under the skin histologically.

The Asian skin atlas was motivated by the need for a reference color atlas that depicts the characteristics of dermatoses seen in and uniquely affecting Asians. Most of the color pictures in this atlas come from the medical photographic archives of the National Skin Centre, Singapore, a tertiary skin referral skin centre which attends to a predominantly Asian group of patients of multi-racial and multi-cultural origins. With widespread global travel and emigration, Asians are increasingly present in sizeable communities in most major cities of the world. Hence, this atlas will be a useful reference guide for dermatologists in other countries outside Asia as well.

The second edition has expanded from 18 chapters to 26 chapters and covers a comprehensive range of dermatological conditions. New chapters include contact dermatitis and occupational dermatoses, cutaneous lymphomas, miscellaneous cutaneous proliferative disorders, urticaria and angioedema, pruritic skin conditions, hair disorders, nail disorders, and wound and skin ulcers. The division of chapters is based on either morphological presentation such as acneiform disorders and papulosquamous disorders; etiology such as infections, genodermatoses, and adverse drug reactions; or dermatological sub-specialty such as contact dermatitis and occupational dermatoses, pediatric dermatology, photodermatology, and immunodermatolgy. The last two chapters are devoted to dermato-venereology as sexually transmitted infections are still managed primarily by dermatologists in many parts of Asia.

Each chapter begins with an introduction essay which gives the reader an overview of the topic, and each color illustration is accompanied by a succinct commentary. This atlas will serve as a useful pictorial reference and a valuable companion to the dermatology textbook. This revised edition updates new developments and adds supplementary histological and dermoscopic features that may be accessed by readers using the accompanying QR codes. We are confident that this refreshed atlas maintains its relevance as a reference resource and will make a compelling addition to the reader's personal library.