Dermatology and dermatologists
Our skin is the largest organ of the body. It acts as a shield that protects the internal organs from harmful foreign bacteria and injuries. But, most importantly, skin symptoms act as an indicator of our overall health. That's why it is crucial to ensure your skin is healthy. Dermatology is a field of medicine dedicated to treating the disorders affecting your skin, nails, and hair.
Dermatologists are medical professionals who specialize in treating skin conditions and conditions concerning hair and nails. From acne breakouts to cosmetic surgeries and everything in between, dermatologists help your skin heal from any disease. According to one source, dermatologists can treat up to 3,000 conditions.
Unless diagnosed early, skin conditions can progress into more serious diseases. For instance, mild acne can become more severe and painful if not treated early on. A timely appointment with a doctor, on the other hand, can also help avoid scarring and unnecessary mental distress. An experienced dermatologist may also perform surgery to control or prevent diseases like skin cancer.
What are the specialties in dermatology?
Dermatology has many specialty areas, including:
Dermatopathology
This branch of dermatology blends dermatology and pathology. The dermatologist identifies a disorder using hair, skin, and nail samples. It is beneficial when a skin symptom (such as rashes) can have many causes.
Mohs Surgery
A Mohs surgeon specializes in surgery that treats skin cancer. Although all dermatologists may have some training in performing Mohs surgery, such professionals undergo advanced training. The procedure lasts several hours and allows for preserving healthy skin — even as cancerous tissue is eliminated, layer by layer.
Cosmetic Dermatology
In cosmetic dermatology, dermatologists use treatments that enhance the skin's appearance. It includes procedures like botox, fillers, laser therapy, laser hair removal, and more to improve the aesthetics of the skin.
Pediatric Dermatology
Pediatric dermatologists primarily diagnose and treat skin disorders in infants, children, and adults.
Common skin conditions
In general, dermatologists treat various skin conditions. Some of the common skin conditions treated by dermatologists include:
Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the skin. It results in itchy rashes and swelling.
Acne
Acne breakouts are a common skin condition and may become cystic acne, blackheads, or whiteheads if not treated in time. Treatments vary from topical therapy to oral medication.
Warts
Warts are skin growths that occur when the top layer of the skin gets infected. A dermatologist can diagnose your condition and treat you accordingly.
Vitiligo
When someone suffers from vitiligo, their skin loses its melanin pigment. This condition leads to the formation of light patches on the skin.
Fungal Infections
The skin, nails, and hair can be prone to candida, a group of yeasts that can cause various fungal infections like ringworm, balanitis, oral thrush, and athlete's foot.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis can lead to patches of skin that can be purple or red in color or scaly and silvery in texture. It is a chronic autoimmune disease that a dermatologist can only treat.
Hair loss and Nail issues
Whether the hair loss is hereditary or results from other health issues, a dermatologist diagnoses and gets to the root of it. Nail issues like fungal infections, ingrown nails, and other disorders also require the attention of a dermatologist.
Shingles
Shingle is a viral infection that leads to a painful rash. While it may heal without specialized treatment, a dermatologist can help speed up the recovery and prevent further complications.
Rosacea
Rosacea leads to redness in the face. It is often accompanied by swelling of the eyelids, increased visibility of blood vessels, and pus-filled bumps.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is one of the most severe types of cancer. It can be life-threatening. Different types of skin cancer include melanoma, cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. A yearly skin checkup is one of the best ways to stay safe.
Common dermatological procedures
From minor skin tag removal to major skin cancer surgeries, dermatologists perform a large number of invasive and invasive procedures. Some of the most common ones include:
- Laser therapy removes acne scars, warts, sun spots, wrinkles, moles, blemishes, and unwanted hair or tattoos
- Cryotherapy treats skin disorders like skin tags, warts, and skin tumors
- Biopsies procedures to diagnose the possibility of skin cancer
- Surgical excision to treat skin growths like skin tags, moles, and lesions
- Mohs surgery is a skin cancer surgery to treat a tumor
- Cosmetic injections like fillers and botox improve the appearance of the skin
- Sclerotherapy to treat varicose and spider veins
- Chemical peels and Dermabrasion treat damaged skin and reduce signs of aging
- Tumescent liposuction removes excess fat from specific areas of the body
What is melanoma?
Melanoma is a kind of skin cancer wherein the pigment-producing cells in the skin undergo uncontrolled growth. It is often referred to as the most severe or aggressive form of skin cancer, as it can quickly spread to different body parts, such as internal organs and lymph nodes. It can either develop in an existing mole or appear suddenly on the skin without any signs or symptoms. Melanoma incidence rates have almost doubled between 1988 to 2019, and it is considered a significant disease burden in the USA, according to the American Academy of Dermatology,
However, melanoma is a highly treatable form of cancer when detected early. Dermatologists suggest that regular mole checks, mole mapping at a dermatologist, or doing routine skin self-exams at home are the best ways to discover any melanoma signs.
ABCDE of Melanoma
ABCDEs are the five early warning signs of melanoma that appear on the skin. Knowing these signs can help with early diagnosis, effective treatment, and holistic recovery from the disease.
A for Asymmetry: A normal mole is symmetrical with equal halves. If a mole has an irregular shape or its two halves look distinctly different, it could be a sign of melanoma.
B for Border: A normal mole has a well-defined border with sharp edges. A mole with a poorly defined, scalloped, or irregular border could signify melanoma.
C for Colour: A normal mole will have uniform color throughout, either black or brown. If a mole has many colors, different shades, or uneven distribution of color, then it might be a sign of melanoma.
D for Diameter: If you find a new mole growth or an existing mole that is 6 millimeters or more in diameter or more than the size of a pencil eraser, it could be a sign of melanoma
E for Evolving: If a particular mole has changed its size or shape since your last examination or is growing and exhibits symptoms of bleeding and itching, it could be a sign of melanoma.
Dermatologists are the best medical professionals you can visit for skin, nail, or hair issues, including skin cancer. They help you understand the reasons for such conditions and provide appropriate treatment. But how do you find qualified and experienced dermatologists from endless online profiles, websites, and directories? The answer is simple: Log in to Zocdoc.
When should you see a dermatologist?
Skin is the most essential body part that protects your internal organs, nerves, and blood vessels. Dermatologists recommend getting annual screenings to check for any skin condition and early signs of skin cancer.
However, you can schedule an appointment with the best dermatologist near you if you observe the following:
- Change in a patch of skin or mole:
Seeing a dermatologist is crucial if a patch of skin or mole changes in size, shape, color, or symptom. Early diagnosis can treat them, as they are often signs of skin cancer. They will also teach you how to conduct regular skin screenings by yourself.
You can treat most acne conditions with over-the-counter products. However, you can see a dermatologist for personalized treatment. They can help prescribe medical skin-care products, like skin cleansers, and advise dietary changes.
Hives generally occur due to allergic reactions or infections. Dermatologists can assess to find the exact cause. They may further recommend treatment options or prescribe medications to help alleviate their symptoms.
- Scars from cuts and scrapes, blemishes, or acne
Dermatologists help patients overcome their concerns about scars and use necessary treatments to reduce or remove them. Some standard techniques include microdermabrasion and laser treatment therapy.
Skin irritation can occur due to allergic reactions, weather conditions, or skin sensitivity. However, it can also point to chronic skin conditions. Most over-the-counter products like lotions and creams cannot treat skin irritation, including flaky, red, and itchy skin. That’s where you can approach a dermatologist.
- Ingrown nails and nail disorders, fungal infections, and others
You can visit the best dermatologists near you to help treat nail disorders, warts, or fungal infections. They often indicate the presence of other illnesses like diabetes, anemia, heart conditions, or liver disease.
Hair loss may happen due to hereditary baldness. Conditions such as illness, stress, and hormonal changes may also cause hair loss. A dermatologist is equipped to detect the underlying cause and aid in the treatment.
The best dermatologists in Los Angeles
How do you find qualified and experienced dermatologists from endless online profiles, websites, and directories? The answer is simple: Log in to Zocdoc. Your skin requires a great deal of care and attention. However, we often skip our annual checkups with the dermatologist because of the hassle — appointments, insurance, commute, and, sometimes, an impatient doctor.
However, with Zocdoc, you can easily book the best dermatologist near you. Simply enter a specialty type, and our powerful algorithms will display the best-rated dermatologists in Los Angeles that meet your criteria. For instance, try narrowing down the search to a location, hospital affiliation, or insurance network.
At Zocdoc, we foster trustworthy doctor-patient relationships. To help you make the right choice, we provide verified customer reviews and detailed doctor profiles. Browse the profile to learn more about a provider's education, clinical experience, and language skills. You can also search among in-network providers. Zocdoc offers virtual as well as real-life appointments.
All bookings are simple, secure, and completely free.
Los Angeles and dermatology
Some skin and health disorders like Valley Fever arise from a region's geography or climate. Valley Fever is an infection that results from inhaling a fungus's spores that live in dry dust or soil. This fungus is called Coccidioides and can be harsh on your skin and overall health.
According to research, there has been a steady increase in Valley Fever cases in Los Angeles (LA). In 2015, 522 cases of this condition were recorded, followed by 714 cases in 2016. This increase of 37% within just a year is a cause of concern for many residents of LA.
Valley Fever causes skin rash on the legs and upper body and is accompanied by symptoms like fatigue, fever, muscle aches, and headaches. While a rash can indicate many things, it's essential always to approach a dermatologist when you suffer from it. In most cases, timely intervention can quickly treat skin inflammation with timely intervention.
Sources
MedicalNewsToday
Healthline
American Academy of Dermatology Association [1]
American Academy of Dermatology Association [2]
American Board of Dermatology
News-medical.net
County of Los Angeles Public Health
Mayo Clinic
American Academy of Dermatology[1]
American Academy of Dermatology[2]
University of Utah Health
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