Dermatologists will quickly inform you that the skin is the body’s largest organ. As well as keeping the internal organs inside and making us look good, the skin is the site of many manifestations of underlying systemic diseases. It is crucial therefore to be able to connect skin and hair changes to constitutional upset and be able to accurately characterise and describe various dermatological disorders from rashes to lesions with clear, precise language. Additionally, an understanding of the symptoms and signs associated with skin disorders is important, as is an appreciation of potential environmental and occupational precipitants.