Diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. For evaluation and treatment of skin disorders

Many infectious diseases of the skin can be diagnosed accurately and rapidly by simple bedside techniques. This article describes several of the more useful and commonly performed techniques for diagnosing superficial fungus infection, herpes simplex, zoster, and varicella as well as the techniques for identification of the ectoparasite-producing scabies and pediculosis in addition to techniques of skin biopsy. Also the therapeutic techniques of cryotherapy and curettage and electrode-siccation are discussed.