Department of Dermatology and Allergology (114131)

About the department

The Department of Dermatology and Allergology at the Hospital Thalkirchner Strasse Munich offers all the options of modern medicine for the accurate diagnostics and effective treatment of diseases of the skin and its appendages, as well as skin manifestations of allergic reactions. The key clinical focus is on the treatment of all types of skin cancer, inflammatory skin diseases, allergies and chronic non-healing wounds. State-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and in-house laboratories of the medical facility guarantee accurate diagnostics and, accordingly, the choice of the optimal treatment regimen. The department's doctors specialize in both conservative and surgical treatment. The innovative types of laser therapy, phototherapy, PUVA therapy and other effective treatment methods are widely used in clinical practice. The department's dermatologists annually treat more than 11,000 patients, including foreign ones, which testifies to the reputability of the medical facility in the international medical arena. The Chief Physician of the department is Prof. Dr. med. Wilhelm Stolz.

When admitted to the department, the attending physician carefully studies the patient's medical history and appoints the necessary diagnostic tests. After receiving the diagnostic results, the department's specialists hold a comprehensive consultation, during which they elaborate an individual treatment regimen, taking into account the wishes of the patient. In many cases, drug therapy with pills, ointments and creams is sufficient to eliminate a skin pathology. The state-of-art laser systems are also often used in clinical practice, including a CO2 laser, a neodymium Nd:YAG laser and others. Laser therapy is mostly used for acne scar revision, removal of hemangiomas, age spots, warts, moles, spider veins, etc. In addition, laser treatments are effective for some types of skin cancer, but only at the early stages. The main advantages of laser therapy include minimal invasiveness of the procedure, absence of complications and speedy recovery upon completion of treatment.

The department's medical team has unique experience in the treatment of skin cancer, which today is a common type of oncology. The incidence rates of skin cancer is the same in both men and women. As a rule, pathology develops in open skin areas, which facilitates diagnostics. With early diagnostics and effective treatment, the disease has a favorable outcome. The most dangerous type of skin cancer is melanoma. If skin cancer is suspected, the patient will be appointed a set of diagnostic tests, which may include MRI, CT, ultrasound, digital dermoscopy, biopsy and laboratory tests. It should be noted that the head of the department, Prof. Wilhelm Stolz, took part in the development of one of the most effective dermatological tests – dermatoscopy. The specialist also worked at the creation of computer-assisted video dermoscopy, which is an improved technique of this examination. A great advantage for patients is the presence of in-house Dermatohistology Laboratory, so all the required skin sample testing can be performed in the department within 24 hours. The main treatment for skin cancer is surgery, which includes the use of a laser, radio waves, classical surgical resection, microscopically-guided surgery, etc. After the intervention, the patient can be prescribed immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, as well as preventive measures in order to eliminate recurrence in the future. Whenever required, plastic reconstructive interventions and skin grafting can also be performed.

The treatment of inflammatory skin diseases is also one of the priority focuses of the department's dermatologists. In this field, the treatment of neurodermatitis and psoriasis is of particular interest. The patients with severe types of chronic inflammatory skin diseases are prescribed local therapy with ointments and creams in combination with light therapy on an inpatient basis, under close medical supervision. The course of treatment is often complemented by the intake of immunomodulatory drugs, which affect the functioning of the immune system and alleviate symptoms.

In addition, the department provides effective treatment for allergic reactions. Of particular interest is the treatment of insect venom allergies, food allergies, drug allergies, and allergic reactions to various external factors. During the treatment, the department's doctors carry out tests for specific antibodies, provocative tests, prick tests and other examinations. The main treatment option is immunotherapy, which can be complemented by symptomatic drug therapy. All the procedures are carried out under the close monitoring of specialists, which ensures the optimal treatment result.

The department specializes in the diagnostics and treatment of the following skin diseases:

• Diagnostics and treatment of various skin cancers
  • Melanoma
  • Squamous and basal cell carcinoma
  • Fungal mycosis and other skin lymphomas
  • Merkel cell carcinoma
  • Dermatofibrosarcoma
  • Angiosarcomas and other rare skin tumors
  • Skin tumors caused by chronic immunodeficiencies
• Diagnostics and treatment of benign skin neoplasms
  • Papillomas
  • Birthmarks
  • Warts
  • Keratomas
  • Xanthelasma
  • Hemangiomas
  • Fibroids
• Diagnostics and treatment of inflammatory skin diseases
  • Neurodermatitis
  • Psoriasis
  • Autoimmune bullous dermatoses
  • Hives
  • Lichen planus
  • Collagenosis (systemic scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus)
• Diagnostics and treatment of age-related skin changes in elderly patients
  • Desiccant eczema
  • Bullous pemphigoid
  • Chronic non-healing wounds (for example, leg ulcers, non-healing wounds caused by diabetic foot syndrome, bedsores, etc.)
• Diagnostics and treatment of allergic skin manifestations
  • Drug allergy
  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Food allergy
  • Insect venom allergy
  • Allergic contact dermatitis
• Diagnostics and treatment of occupational skin diseases
• Diagnostics and treatment of chronic non-healing wounds
  • Venous, arterial and neurotrophic ulcers of the lower limbs
  • Pyoderma gangraenosum
  • Chronic non-healing wounds in diabetes mellitus
• Other skin diseases

The department's therapeutic options include:

• Drug therapy using pills
• Local therapy with ointments and creams
• Laser therapy (CO2 laser, Nd:YAG neodymium laser and others)
• Phototherapy
• PUVA therapy
• Skin cancer therapy
  • Surgical resection of malignant tumors, including microscopically-guided surgery, reconstructive plastic surgery and skin grafting
  • Immunotherapy
  • Antibody therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy (in cooperation with the specialized department)
  • Laser therapy and IPL therapy for certain types of skin cancer
• Treatment of chronic non-healing wounds using modern dressings and vacuum therapy
• Other therapeutic options