Dermatology is a medical specialty focused on the skin, hair and nails. These three key areas of the body serve a multitude of functions — protecting us from heat and cold, germs, and dangerous substances; and they’re an excellent indicator of what’s going on inside our bodies. Whether you’re dealing with acne, psoriasis, rashes, warts or skin cancer, a board-certified dermatologist can help.
The skin is the largest organ in the human body, so it’s no surprise that it’s vulnerable to a wide range of conditions and diseases. A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of the skin, hair, and nails (the integumentary system). Dermatologists are experts when it comes to diagnosing and treating over 3,000 diseases of the integumentary system.반포피부과
When you visit a dermatologist, the first thing they’ll do is go over your full health history. Then they’ll carefully examine your entire body, from the scalp to the soles of your feet, checking for any abnormalities. They might also perform a biopsy, which involves taking a small piece of your skin and sending it to a laboratory for testing.
A common reason people visit a dermatologist is for a routine skin screening. This allows the physician to catch any suspicious moles or growths and offer preventative measures. They can also teach patients how to do self-exams and recommend a schedule of how frequently you should return for future screenings.
Some common treatments include removing benign growths such as warts and moles; laser therapies; a variety of surgical procedures including cryosurgery, punch grafting and suction blister grafting for vitiligo; and immunotherapy using cyclosporine injections or adalimumab. 서초동피부과Some dermatologists may also use radiation therapy and specialize in cosmetic surgery such as liposuction, a tummy tuck and other procedures.
Your dermatologist can also offer a host of practical advice for your skin, hair and nails. These tips might include avoiding certain foods, wearing loose-fitting clothing or limiting your exposure to the sun, and utilizing medications such as creams and cortisone creams. They can also advise you on dietary supplements and lifestyle changes that might benefit your skin. They can also offer suggestions for cosmetic treatments like Botox and fillers to address fine lines and wrinkles. In addition to evaluating and treating the skin, hair and nails, dermatologists can also prescribe and administer internal medications such as antibiotics or immunomodulators for serious autoimmune conditions such as lupus erythematosus. They can also treat severe inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Some dermatologists are also trained to treat rare and complex disorders of the genital skin, including warts, keloids and cysts. They can even provide second opinions and referrals for other specialized areas of medicine. The American Academy of Dermatology offers a search tool that will help you find a board-certified dermatologist in your area. You can also ask your primary care physician for a referral. It takes four years to become a dermatologist, and after passing a challenging exam, they are qualified to diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions.