A dermatologist diagnoses the causes of skin lesions and implements appropriate treatment, and dermatology is a branch of medicine dealing with skin diseases. Medical disciplines related to dermatology include cosmetology and venereology.

Dermatologistis a specialist indermatology , i.e. in the field of medicine dealing with the functioning of the skin and its diseases (including hair and nail diseases ).Dermatologistexamines the skin and looks for possible causes of abnormalities in its appearance. It is worth remembering that the disturbing changes do not have to be caused by the malfunctioning of the skin itself, but are often the result of internal diseases, e.g. hormonal changes, cancer, infectious diseases, allergies, and venereal diseases.

Fields of dermatology

Dermatology is divided into two main speci alties:

  • clinical dermatology,
  • experimental dermatology.

Clinical dermatologydeals with the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases.

Experimental dermatologyfocuses on the study of the skin: describing its structure and functions.

There are also a number of other specializations that come from dermatology, but each focuses on slightly different aspects of the functioning of the skin and its diseases, e.g.

  • venereology - this is a section dealing with sexually transmitted diseases;
  • children's dermatology - a field of interest in children's skin diseases;
  • cosmetology - differs from dermatology primarily with the means used to treat (or rather improve the appearance) of the skin - these are not drugs, but cosmetics and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures;
  • aesthetic medicine - uses drugs and invasive dermatological treatments, but not to treat the skin, but primarily to improve its appearance and protect it against aging.

Dermatologist - what tests does he / she perform?

During the visit, the dermatologist first looks at disturbing changes with the naked eye, but he should also carry out a more detailed examination using a dermatoscope. It is a device with a built-in lamp that magnifies the field of view just like a magnifier, thankswhy it is possible to examine the selected piece of leather in detail. Dermatoscopy is primarily used to control pigmented lesions.

In case of suspicion that bacteria may be responsible for a given disease, the dermatologist orders a skin swab, in the case of mycosis - a microbiological test. He may also refer you to blood tests, including the measurement of hormone levels - for example, when there is a suspicion that acne is hormonal. If the skin lesions are allergic, the dermatologist will refer you to allergy tests or to an allergy specialist immediately.

Dermatologist - what diseases does he diagnose?

The most popular diseases diagnosed by a dermatologist are:

  • acne and all its varieties (e.g. rosacea, hormonal acne, cosmetic acne, etc.)
  • atopic dermatitis (AD)
  • seborrheic dermatitis
  • psoriasis
  • vitiligo
  • head lice
  • scabies
  • eczema
  • alopecia
  • dandruff
  • pigmented moles (moles)
  • melanoderma (chloasma)
  • photodermatosis (sun allergy)
  • blush
  • herpes
  • lichen
  • mycoses
  • kurzajki
  • bedsores
  • stretch marks
  • excessive sweating
  • skin cancer

The dermatologist also recognizes sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, scabies, genital warts, HIV.

Treatment methods for dermatological diseases

The choice of treatment method is closely related to the type of disease, its symptoms and causes. The dermatologist can prescribe antibiotics - e.g. in the case of acne, syphilis, gonorrhea, which are caused by bacteria, antiviral drugs (e.g. for herpes), as well as topical medications in the form of ointments, gels, creams, lotions, shampoos. In the case of discoloration, the dermatologist may refer you to a laser treatment. The doctor also provides advice on the care of the affected skin, and may suggest the use of specific cosmetics. If the lesion is large, there is a risk of malignancy, and a dermatologist may refer you to have the mole excised. Other methods used to get rid of moles and skin eruptions include curettage, electrocoagulation, liquid nitrogen freezing.

Category:

Patient's kit