Sunday, June 16, 2013

An Introduction to Dermatology


Dermatology is the area of medicine related to skin. Put simply, it is the form of medicine that deals with the skin and skin related diseases. As well as the skin, it includes things related to the scalp, hair and nails. Dermatologists are experts in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin diseases.

A wide range of medical conditions are related to the skin and dermatology covers all of these, whether it is a skin disorder or skin disease or something loosely related to the skin. Below are some of the areas of dermatology and what they cover:

Cosmetic Dermatology - Anything that is considered to improve a patient's appearance. Includes liposuction and cosmetic surgery.

Dermatopathology - This cover the pathology of the skin.

Immunodermatology - Looks at skin as an organ of immunity in health and disease.

Pediatric Dermatology - Diagnosing and treating skin problems in children, including those present at birth and those developed during childhood.

The above is just some of the areas covered within dermatology. Therapies that are provided by a dermatologist include hair removal and transplants, laser therapy, phototherapy, radiation therapy and allergy testing. Examples of skin diseases that come under the area of dermatology include skin cancer, acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin infections, nail disorders and anything related to the sweat glands.

There are a number of reasons why someone may wish to see a dermatologist. Any skin complaint is covered and if someone has a skin abnormality of any type consulting with a dermatologist may be a good idea. This includes any cyst or mole that is changing. A dermatologist can advise patients on whether their issue is anything serious and on treatments that should be undertaken. A dermatologist, though, can be consulted for things much less serious as well. If someone is concerned about eczema or acne, for example, a dermatologist will usually be able to help, whether simple advice is all that is required or if treatment can help.

There are many everyday activities that can have a negative impact on skin and therefore cross over to the area of dermatology. Some of these are below.

Too much time in the sun - Spending too much time in the sun without sufficient protection can impact the skin. This is particularly the case for those with light skin as they do not naturally deal well with strong sunlight.

A poor diet - A poor diet can impact health in all sorts of ways, including a person's skin. A lack of fruit and vegetables, for example, can result in a lack of colour in skin.

Smoking - Smokers expose their skin to chemicals that can increase the aging of skin.

Stress - High stress levels can have a surprisingly negative impact on skin.

Biting finger nails - biting ones finger nails can increase the likelihood of skin infections.

The area of dermatology covers a wide array of conditions and treatments. A dermatologist is a specialist in the area of skin health and there are dermatologists who cover all types of skin condition on all areas of the body.

Andrew Marshall 穢

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