Dr David J Atherton MA (Cantab) MB BChir FRCP
Consultant Paediatric Dermatologist

David is an experienced children's skin specialist.

David was born in 1949. His father was a general practitioner. He did his medical training at Cambridge University and Guy's Hospital, London. He subsequently specialised in dermatology, and trained in the speciality at Guy's Hospital and St John's Hospital for Diseases of the Skin. He undertook research projects at the Institute of Child Health at Great Ormond Street Hospital, where he also obtained training in children's dermatology. His qualifications are MA (Cantab) MB BChir FRCP (UK).

At the time of his appointment as consultant at Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1982, David was the UK's first full-time specialist in paediatric dermatology. Following that appointment, he worked hard to build up a department able to provide specialised services for children with every type of serious skin problem. He was simultaneously appointed as consultant in paediatric dermatology at St John's Institute of Dermatology in St Thomas' Hospital, London.

David deals with the full spectrum of serious skin diseases that occur in children. In addition he has special interests in eczema, haemangiomas and a variety of birthmarks, particularly pigmented birthmarks.

He has been actively involved in research, and has published 140 papers and 31 reviews in dermatology and paediatric journals, 32 chapters in books on children's dermatology and 2 books for parents of children with eczema.

He was active in the establishment of a British Society for Paediatric Dermatology, of which he was the first president. He remains involved in the administration of the Society which has an important role in the promotion of high quality children's dermatology in the UK.

David has also worked closely with many patient support groups, including DEBRA (epidermolysis bullosa), Caring Matters Now (for congenital melanocytic naevi), the Birthmark Support Group, the National Eczema Society and the Ectodermal Dysplasia Society.

David's wife is a Chinese doctor practising traditional Chinese medicine. He has 4 sons.

David has recently taken early retirement from his NHS work, but remains actively involved in children's dermatology and sees patients privately at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, at the Cromwell Hospital in West London and at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Windsor.