What is a Dermatologist?

From Acne to Skin Cancer: The Role of Dermatologists

A dermatologist is a medical professional who specialises in diagnosing and treating over 3,000 conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails. Whether it is minor rashes or serious skin issues like skin cancer, a dermatologist is the person you must visit.

The skin, the body’s largest organ, plays a crucial role in protecting your body against various diseases and infections while also regulating body temperature. Hence, it can be prone to various issues, which makes dermatologists essential. They also treat cosmetic concerns such as wrinkles, scars and birthmarks. 

What Does a Dermatologist Do?

Dermatologists are responsible for identifying the cause of skin issues and treating them. However, they not only treat skin conditions but also identify symptoms on the skin that may indicate severe health issues inside the body. These issues can be organ disease or failure.

They frequently perform specialised procedures to recognise skin-related concerns. They consider treatments, including:

● Injected medicines applied externally

● Ultraviolet light therapy (UV) to treat specific skin conditions

● A wide range of dermatologic surgical treatment procedures, including skin biopsy and mole removal

● Chemical peels

● Sclerotherapy

● Laser treatments

● Dermabrasion

Excision of lesions When to Visit a Dermatologist’s Clinic?

If you are suffering from skin, hair, or nail-related issues, it is time to seek professional attention. Some of the common symptoms for which you should make an appointment with a dermatologist include:

● A mole that has changed in size, colour or shape

● Skin cancer

● Persistent acne

● Psoriasis

● Rosacea

● Hives

● Deep scars

● Eczema

● Severe rashes

● Warts

● Excessive hair loss

● Varicose and spider veins

● Painful nail issues

● Prolonged skin irritation

● Hyperpigmentation

Ageing signs What Kinds of Medical Conditions Do Dermatologists Treat?

Dermatologists treat several conditions related to your skin, hair, or nails. The most common conditions include:

● Severe Skin Infections

Your skin gets infected by remaining in contact with viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. These can all cause different types of skin infections. A dermatologist not only identifies the source of the infection but also suggests the most suitable treatment.

● Acne

A dermatologist chooses a treatment method depending on the severity of the acne. When considering large cysts, they utilise various treatment methods, including topical creams, laser or light therapy, oral medications, chemical peels, or surgical removal procedures.

● Dermatitis

Dermatitis or skin inflammation can arise from various skin issues that cause continuous irritation. These may include allergic reactions, cradle cap, eczema, and more.

● Skin Cancer

This severe health condition may develop in any part of the body. In such cases, a dermatologist can eliminate cancerous cells using the latest technology and provide monitoring to help prevent the disease from coming back.

● Nail Issues

This includes persistent nail spots, discolouration, and continuous pain due to nail separation. Dermatologists treat these common nail issues.

● Excessive Hair Loss

It can be caused by hereditary factors, but it can also be triggered by stress, an unhealthy lifestyle, poor digestion, disease, or hormonal shifts. Whatever the reason, a dermatologist can identify the root cause and offer the best-suited treatment options. 

What Does a Dermatologist Specialise in?

Most dermatologists have specialisation in subjects including:

• Dermatopathology: A specialisation in dermatology and pathology (focuses on studying and diagnosing diseases).
• Pediatric Dermatology: A study focuses on diagnosing and treating various conditions related to children's skin, hair, or nails.
• Medical Dermatology: It specialises in diagnosing and treating severe skin conditions.
• Surgical Dermatology: A specialisation in skin surgery.
• Cosmetic Dermatology: This study offers special training to improve the appearance of skin, hair, and nails.

Dermatologists are medical professionals who specialise in treating minor to severe skin, hair, and nail issues. They use a wide variety of procedures, including biopsies, laser therapy, cryotherapy, Mohs surgery, chemical peels, dermabrasion, tumescent liposuction, and more, to achieve the desired result.