Connect With A Dermatologist Near You








What is a Dermatologist?

 

A dermatologist is a medical doctor that has passed through medical school and has received special training on how to manage and treat diseases associated with the skin, hair and the nails. A dermatologist can help in the treatment of many of skin disorders. A dermatologist is usually the first person that comes to mind when we have a troubling skin condition.

However, many people do not know what exactly a dermatologist does. Also, because the skin is very much the first point of contact when it comes to cosmetic appearance, there is some doubt as to which skin conditions insurance covers as many insurance schemes do not cover conditions considered as cosmetic. These are the questions we will be addressing, starting with:

What Exactly does a Dermatologist do?

 

Dermatology is the branch of medicine that has to do with the skin, hair, and diseases that are associated with them. This specialty has both surgical and medical components. The individual that practices dermatology is called a dermatologist. In other words, a dermatologist is a doctor that focuses on the treatment of diseases of the skin, scalp, hair and the nails. There are all kinds of skin conditions that dermatologists treat.

Reasons To Visit A Dermatologist

 

  1. Rosacea: This is one of the most predominant skin disorders. The exact cause of this disease isn’t known yet, however, there are some effective treatments that your dermatologist can administer. Some of the symptoms of rosacea include redness of the face, blood vessels might become more obvious in the face. Other symptoms of this disorder include the appearance of red patches on the skin. You should contact your dermatologist for the right diagnosis and treatment.
  2. Vitiligo: Vitiligo is a condition that presents as white patches on the skin. It occurs as a result of the destruction of the pigment cells of the skin. These pigment cells are also known as melanocytes. These patches might appear on the face, especially around the eyes, nose, and mouth. The axilla region, also known as the armpit, and groin area might also be affected. The cause of vitiligo isn’t exactly known yet, however, some researchers believe that this disease occurs as a result of an autoimmune reaction. Vitiligo affects people of all ages, sexes, and race. There is also a probability that vitiligo could be as a result of heredity. This disease can be treated by a dermatologist. There are topical preparations and oral medications that can be used for the treatment of this disease. Dermatologists also make use of light therapy, which is also effective.
  3. Eczema: This is a skin disorder that causes the inflammation and irritation of the skin. Most patients are diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. This means that patients are prone to developing the redness and irritation of the skin, due to heredity. Eczema affects about 10-20% of all infants in the United States of America. However, most of these infants tend to outgrow this disease, although about three percent of adults and teenagers still present with symptoms of this skin disorder. Some of the symptoms of eczema include severe itching, swelling of the skin, and skin lesions. The skin lesions may sometimes ooze and scar. There are times when the itching would present before the rash appears. These rashes might most commonly show up on the wrists, feet, back and the hands. Eczema is a treatable disease, and it can be treated with topical corticosteroid creams, and medications such as antihistamines. It’s important for people affected by eczema, to learn how to avoid the triggers of the disease. There are some irritants that can induce the development of this disease. You should contact your dermatologist if you notice you have some of these symptoms.
  4. Psoriasis: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease in which there are red patches on the skin with a silvery layer that looks like scales on the top. Generally, people are initially affected by psoriasis, before they have psoriatic arthritis. However, the inflammation and disease of the joint might begin before they present with skin lesions. Psoriasis is not a contagious disease. The classic characteristics of this disease are the inflammation of the extremities, particularly the fingers and toes. They usually do have a sausage-like appearance. This is often accompanied by defects in the nail, such as pitting and the separation of the nail from the nailbed. Genetics have been implicated as one of the most important factors that lead to the development of Psoriasis. Excess weight also increases the risk of having this disease. There are different treatment methods for psoriasis. Some of these methods include many topical treatments. Dermatologist often makes use of light therapy, oral medications, and different types of injections. It’s best for patients to identify the triggers of the disease, and try to avoid them. With the right treatment and management, it’s possible to significantly reduce the occurrence and severity of episodes of this disease.
  5. Skin cancer: A dermatologist can examine and give the right diagnosis, especially when it comes to diseases such as cancer. It’s important to always go for a yearly check-up if you belong to a high-risk group of having cancer. The earlier a cancer disease is diagnosed, the better it’s treated, and the more positive the prognosis would be. In addition, you should visit the dermatologist if you notice any alteration in the shape, color and size of any of the moles on your body. This might be a sign of developing
  6. Acne: This is a skin disorder that affects mainly teenagers. Although, this can affect anyone of any age. In fact, almost everyone has experienced acne at one point in their life. However, for most people, this disease usually prolongs for a long time, because of the lack of proper care. This makes acne of the most common chronic skin conditions. Some of the main factors responsible for this condition include hormones and heredity. People tend to develop acne when just after they hit puberty. Regardless of how people wash their face, or shower, or avoid fatty food, they’d still develop acne. This is because of the inescapable risk factors. Acne happens when the oil of the skin blocks the hair follicles. The skin oil that blocks the pore of the skin can also lead to the development of infections, which might lead to skin redness, tenderness, and swelling of the skin. It’s important to see your dermatologist for the right treatment and management. Dermatologist often prescribes topical preparations that contain ingredients such as vitamin A, salicylic acid and so on. Oral medications may also be prescribed. Other treatment methods include treatment with lasers, chemical peels and so on.

Dermatologist Close To Me

 

It’s important to visit a dermatologist if you notice anything on your skin that causes any form of discomfort for you.

References

Black, M. and Marshman, G. (2010). Dermatology and pemphigus vulgaris: Association or coincidence?. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 52(2), pp.e11-e14.

Greenberg, S. (2014). Sustained autoimmune mechanisms in dermatomyositis. The Journal of Pathology, 233(3), pp.215-216.

Lam, C. and Vleugels, R. (2012). Management of cutaneous bruises. Dermatologic Therapy, 25(2), pp.112-134.

Scadden, D. and Srivastava, A. (2012). Advancing Stem Cell Biology toward Stem Cell Therapeutics. Cell Stem Cell, 10(2), pp.149-150