What is Dermatology?
Dermatology is a branch of medicine that studies the structure, physiological functions, diseases of the skin and hair, nails, sweat, and sebaceous glands), diagnostic methods and treatment.
Dermatology is closely related to such areas of medicine as venereology, endocrinology, oncology, allergology, and other disciplines.
When to see a dermatologist?
Often people believe that they are unlikely to need a dermatologist. They try to solve skin problems on their own, sometimes contacting specialists of a different profile.
Often, by the time the patient finally decides to consult a dermatologist, improper treatment or lack of treatment will aggravate the problem. Treatment takes much more time, requires large expenditures on drugs and does not solve the problem as fully as it could.
When should I take my child to a dermatologist?
The question of when to take a child to a dermatologist is usually decided by adults.
You should bear in mind that frequent manifestations of diathesis and allergic dermatitis in children should not lead to a decrease in vigilance. Children, especially small ones, are more likely than adults to be at risk of various skin diseases of both an infectious and parasitic nature, and the frequent manifestation of skin rashes is often one of the symptoms of the presence of parasites in the intestines. Only a specialist can make a truly correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
What does a dermatologist treat?
Taking on most of the problems associated with the influence of the environment, the skin is at risk of manifestations of various infections, cancerous tumors. Temperature and other effects leave traces on it. The skin also suffers from any internal malfunctions in the body, undergoes aging. Almost every factor of skin malfunction belongs to the competence of a dermatologist.
So, a dermatologist treats:
- skin and nail diseases caused by fungal pathogens (microsporia, trichophytosis, epidermophytosis, etc.);
- skin diseases of viral origin (herpes, pink lichen, shingles, papillomas, etc.);
- infectious skin lesions – impetigo;
- neurodermatitis, eczema and dermatitis of allergic origin;
- inflammatory and somatic diseases of the sweat and sebaceous glands (seborrhea, etc.);
- parasitic skin lesions (scabies, the introduction of nematodes);
- urticaria;
- skin rashes and lesions resulting from diseases of the internal organs (gastrointestinal disorders, parasitic lesions of the internal organs such as trichinosis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis), exposure to drugs and toxic substances, various skin lesions that occur during HIV infection;
- acne, teenage skin problems;
- exudative diathesis;
- psoriasis.
Cosmetological problems, as well as some skin pathologies that can lead to cancer, can also be added to the list of conditions treated by a dermatologist.
What is a dermatologist appointment like?
The primary appointment with a dermatologist includes:
- collection of medical history (anamnesis) and complaints in dermatology;
- visual skin examination;
- palpation;
- determination of dermographism (vascular reaction to mechanical irritation);
- dermatoscopy;
- examination of the skin through the glass with pressure.
Common procedures performed in dermatology
Dermatologists provide the following services:
- auscultation;
- ultraviolet irradiation of affected areas of the skin;
- skin phototherapy;
- cryo destruction of the skin;
- cryo massage of the skin;
- ultrasound treatment of skin lesions;
- laser resurfacing of the skin;
- laser skin destruction;
- laser coagulation of skin lesions;
- laser irradiation of the skin;
- prescription of drug therapy, diet therapy and treatment regimen for diseases of the skin, subcutaneous fat, skin appendages.
Category: Health and Wellness
Tags: dermatology, skin, skin disease