Welcome to
Dr I M Essack
Welcome to Dr I M Essack
Our skin is the largest organ in the body and is made up of basically 3 layers, the outer epidermis, the underlying hypodermis and the dermis in between. In addition to the skin cells themselves, it contains many different specialised structures made up of a variety of tissue, supporting tissue, vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries and lymphatics), nerves and their receptors, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands, sweat glands, pigment producing cells (melanocytes), muscle, hair follicles and shafts and the fatty tissue layer that lies underneath.
The skin serves many functions. It protects us from organisms and germs, radiation and trauma. It has many receptors that help us perceive touch so that we can appreciate our environment and do so safely. It helps to regulate our body temperature. It is important in the activation of vitamin D which is required for good, strong healthy bones. It is also an important organ of social interaction, contributing to our identity and helping us express emotion.
What is a Dermatologist?
What is a
Dermatologist?
A dermatologist is a medically qualified doctor who has then chosen to spend several years training specifically in dermatology. Dermatology encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin AND its appendages viz. hair, nails. Because the skin in made up of different kinds of tissue, dermatologist treat conditions involving the skin cells, AND all its associated tissue, each with its own potential to cause disease.
Dermatologists, therefore have specific interest areas in this field e.g. medical consultative dermatology (skin disease manifesting as or having manifestations of disease elsewhere in the body), paediatric dermatology (children), geriatric dermatology (elderly), dermatologic oncology (skin cancers), dermatologic surgery (surgery involving the skin), to name just a few. In addition to dealing with just skin disease, dermatologists also offer improvement in non-diseased skin by way of cosmetic and aesthetic dermatology using a variety of topically applied, minimally invasive or procedural techniques, used alone or in combination to achieve a desired result.
In South Africa, a dermatologist requires to be first registered as a general practitioner who then undergoes a prescribed dermatology training at an academic institution (usually a medical university) for a further period of four years. In South Africa, the training to become a fully qualified specialist in dermatology is agreed nationally and examinations are conducted nationally.
About Us
Dr Essack was born in Johannesburg and lived most of his life in Durban.
He completed his undergraduate medical degree (M.B.Ch.B.) at the University of Natal Medical School (now known as the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine – University of Kwa-Zulu Natal) in Durban in 1998.
He completed his internship at King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban in 1999.
In 2000, he spent a year doing Community Service at R.K. Khan Hospital in Durban. During this time, he obtained experience in trauma and emergencies, general family medicine and paediatrics.
The following year, he continued at King Edward VIII Hospital, spending time in the paediatric speciality units for gastroenterology, haematology, endocrinology, neonatology and ICU. He then obtained experience in internal medicine at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Durban.In 2003, he joined the Department of Dermatology as a Medical Officer at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban.The following year, he began post graduate studies at the Department of Dermatology at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine.
In 2006, he obtained a Fellowship of the College of Dermatologists of South Africa (F.C.Derm (S.A.)). After spending more than a year as an acting consultant, he continued for a further year as a consultant with responsibilities including teaching undergraduate and postgraduate dermatology.
He moved to Johannesburg in 2009 for family reasons, where he started private practice. He has interest in skin cancers and their treatments, dermatological surgery, HIV dermatology and general medical dermatology. Dr Essack is called upon regularly to lecture at dermatology workshops and symposia and continues to be involved in the teaching of dermatology to other practitioners.