What Is Dermatology?
Dermatology is the study of normal skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes as well as diseases that affect them. It is an essential medical specialty because many skin conditions can affect a person’s quality of life. A person with a painful rash may not be able to work, sleep or enjoy leisure activities, and this can have a significant impact on his or her mental health. In addition, the skin is the largest organ of the body and a source of important information about our overall health.
A rash or other abnormality on the skin can be an early warning sign of serious illness. It is important for people to get regular yearly screenings with a dermatologist to look for changes in existing moles and other spots, or for new growths that may be cancerous. If a new or changing spot is found, the dermatologist will perform a biopsy to see whether it is cancerous.
If the dermatologist diagnoses skin cancer, they will explain your treatment options. The type of treatment will depend on what kind of cancer you have and your general state of health. For example, if you have basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, which are common types of skin cancer, your doctor might recommend a surgical procedure to remove the lesion and any surrounding tissue. Other treatments include targeted medicines, which can be given as a skin cream or tablet, immunotherapy, which helps your immune system find and kill cancer cells, and photodynamic therapy, which uses light to destroy cancer cells that have not yet spread to other areas of the body.
Dermatologists also treat conditions such as rosacea, psoriasis, contact dermatitis and shingles, a viral infection that causes a painful, blistering rash. They can help with long-term health issues such as eczema and psoriasis and short-term problems like acne, hives, warts and other growths.
In addition to the procedures they perform, dermatologists are often involved in research to develop new medicines or therapies for skin disease. This involves testing promising treatments in small groups of patients called clinical trials. They may even participate in a trial themselves to help make sure the medicine works as it should.삼성역리프팅
People with fair skin are at higher risk of developing some kinds of skin cancer, but any kind of lesion or change in a mole should be seen by a dermatologist. A person with a compromised immune system due to illness or receiving an organ transplant should also have regular screenings with a dermatologist, as should anyone who has had frequent sun exposure.
A career in dermatology is a rewarding one, and the demand for the expertise of these doctors will continue to grow as the population ages and more people are diagnosed with skin cancers and other conditions. If you are interested in becoming a dermatologist, the office of career services at Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) can help you determine if this is the right path for you and can help you through the National Resident Matching Program to find a residency.삼성동피부과