ABSTRACT: Because of poverty, overcrowding, and lack of access to safe water, skin diseases are prevalent in the developing world. There is a lack of healthcare resources and few appropriately trained professionals to treat and manage skin disease. This article tracks the development of dermatology nursing in South Africa over the last decade. It provides an overview of how nurses working in primary care clinics, particularly in rural areas, have been empowered to diagnose and treat common skin conditions. Plans for the future include the establishment of a South African Dermatology Nursing Association.