Dermatology, commonly referred to as the field of skin specialty, is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of various conditions related to the skin, nails, hair, mouth, and skin disorders, including sexually transmitted (venereal) conditions. Dermatology is not only concerned with addressing medical issues but also emphasizes the promotion of the skin’s health and aesthetic appearance. Professionals who specialize in this medical field are commonly known as dermatologists or skin specialists.
What is Clinical Dermatology?
Clinical Dermatology is a subspecialty of dermatology that focuses on the in-depth study of skin conditions at the microscopic level. It involves both the diagnosis of conditions through the analysis and examination of skin biopsies, as well as the investigation of potential causes of skin disorders.
Clinical dermatology employs a classification system to categorize and define skin conditions based on their appearance, distribution in the body, and behavior over time. In cases where these criteria are not sufficient for a definitive diagnosis, a skin biopsy may be conducted. This in-depth examination involves the analysis of tissue histology (tissue science) to provide a clearer understanding of the condition and aid in the diagnosis. Additionally, clinical dermatology extends its focus to the examination and treatment of various types of skin cancer.
What are the Most Common Dermatologic Conditions?
From the beginning of life, through infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and aging, our skin may undergo changes, transformations, or develop conditions that require dermatologic treatment.
Clinical dermatology addresses both skin conditions and symptoms that manifest on the skin but may originate elsewhere in the body.
Skin conditions encompass a broad spectrum of conditions affecting the skin, including bacterial infections, fungal infections, allergic reactions, skin cancers, parasites, hereditary causes, and even conditions with unknown origins.
The most common dermatologic conditions include;
• Acne,
• Fungal conditions,
• Nail conditions,
• Hair conditions,
• Allergic skin conditions,
• Benign and malignant skin tumors,
• Sun spots and pigmentation disorders,
• Parasitic skin conditions such as scabies and lice,
• Conditions with abscesses, redness and viral rashes on the skin,
• Eczema,
• Psoriasis,
• Dermatoses, calluses and warts,
• Nevus,
• Vascular skin conditions.
Dermatologists examine and treat all these conditions. Individuals experiencing such problems should seek assistance from the dermatology department and receive the necessary treatment under the supervision of a dermatologist.
Some Treatment Methods Used in Dermatology
Skin Biopsy: It involves taking a piece of tissue from the suspected diseased area to confirm the diagnosis. It is performed under local anesthesia, and the collected material is sent to pathology for examination.
Cryotherapy: It is a freezing technique used to treat skin lesions. It is used in treating various skin conditions and diseases like warts, skin cancer, calluses, sun spots, and genital warts by applying -196 degree liquid nitrogen.
Electrocautery: It is a method that employs electric current to cause tissue damage or stop bleeding. It is used in the treatment of conditions such as moles, warts, sebaceous hyperplasia, and seborrheic keratosis.
Dermatoscopy: Dermatoscopic examination enables a detailed observation of moles, abnormal skin structures, parasites, skin tumors, and vascular disorders.
Body Mole Screening: Regular body mole screening, recommended even for healthy individuals, plays a crucial role in the early detection of skin cancer.
Allergy Testing: Prick and patch tests are employed to determine the nature and severity of allergies in individuals suspected of having them.
Phototherapy: Phototherapy, also known as light therapy, is utilized in the treatment of pruritus of unknown origin, vitiligo, and psoriasis.