Dermatologists are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and care for medical conditions that affect the skin, hair and nails.
If we were to sum up what dermatologists do, that’s the gist of it. However, dermatologists do a lot more. Below you’ll get an overview of what do dermatologists do and the main conditions they treat.
This can help you decide if going to a dermatologist makes sense for your situation!
What Do Dermatologists Do?
When most people think of a dermatologist, they think they are just a skin doctor. And the skin is the main thing most dermatologists focus on. However, dermatologists can also help with conditions of the hair and nails as well. Not only that, but dermatologists are also responsible for treating medical conditions that affect the mucous membranes.
There are also many people who believe dermatologists primarily work in the cosmetic field. While there are many dermatologists who do provide cosmetic treatments, such as Botox, to their patients, they also help treat very serious conditions and diseases.
There are a number of skin conditions that cause swelling, itching and even pain. Dermatologists can help identify the cause of the condition and recommend the best course of treatment.
There are a number of different skin conditions that dermatologists can help diagnose and treat. Here are some of the most common ones.
Skin Conditions That Dermatologists Treat
Acne
Acne is a common skin condition in the United States. This condition, although not life threatening or severe, can be annoying.
It commonly occurs to teenagers. Acne often forms due to oil glands found in the skin that produces a substance called sebum.
Eczema
Eczema is a chronic skin condition that causes inflammation of the skin. This condition causes the skin to look and feel red, swollen, itchy as well as dry.
It often affects babies and children. Though it can affect adults too. Dermatologists diagnose this condition using certain tests and skin exams.
Aging
As we age, our skin wrinkles. Aside from procedures to treat skin medical conditions, dermatologists also offer cosmetic procedures that can counter appearances of aging.
Skin Cancer
While, fortunately, many instances of skin cancer are very treatable, it is still a serious condition. Melanoma is by far the most dangerous skin cancer.
Signs and symptoms of Melanoma may include skin growths as well as its changes in size, shape, color, thickness, and texture. If you have these symptoms, then it is best to schedule a checkup with your dermatologist.
Hair Loss
Hair loss may be normal and common, especially for aging people. However, bald patches and thinning hair can mean that there is an underlying medical condition.
To learn the cause of your hair loss, it is best to go to a dermatologist. Causes of severe hair loss may be pregnancy, stress, and even other health conditions.
Other Skin Conditions
Other health conditions treated by dermatologists include but is not limited to the following:
- Psoriasis
- Rosacea
- Skin Infection
- Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac
- Warts
- Moles
- Shingles
- Blisters
- Actinic Keratosis
- Cysts
- Skin Tags
Types of Dermatologist Specialists
Not all dermatologists do all things within the field. You will often find that they will specialize in a certain aspect of dermatology like medical, surgical or cosmetic. Here are some of the common types of dermatologists:
Cosmetic Dermatologists
Specialize in cosmetic procedures such as laser hair removal, Botox and other injections, severe acne treatments and skin rejuvenation.
Pediatric Dermatologists
They specialize in treating skin conditions in kids.
Dermatopathologists
Specialize in looking into the origin of different skin diseases. They usually work in a lab.
Immunodermatologists
They also usually work in a lab. But their focus is on how the immune system interacts with the skin.
An Intro To Dermatologists
There are still a lot more dermatologists’ responsibilities that we have not covered in this article. The goal here is to just give you an overview of the types of things dermatologists do and what they treat.
We hope that this article has helped you understand what dermatologists are, what they do, and how important their role is in the medical field.
