What does the dermatologist do?

Warren James
5 Min Read

When you are referred to the dermatologist, he will ask your questions to find out the origin and course of the skin defect (s) and he will look closely at the skin abnormalities.

Examination and diagnosis

This can usually be done by looking with the naked eye, but often the dermatologist also feels how the skin abnormality feels. If the dermatologist wants to see more detail, for example with a birthmark, he / she can use a dermatoscope (a kind of loupe).

Sometimes the dermatologist would like to be able to view the condition at the cell level in order to make a diagnosis, or to detect possible pathogens (for example fungi or a bacterium). Then some cells are taken or a biopsy, to be able to view this under the microscope with high magnification (by the dermatologist himself or also by a pathologist). Other tests that are done with a dermatologist are blood tests or adhesive tests if allergies are suspected. Often the dermatologist will take pictures of the condition at the front of the file, in order to properly follow how the skin condition changes over time (with or without treatment).

Training

A dermatologist often has a specialty, for example, extra interest in hereditary disorders, varicose veins or skin abnormalities in children. However, every dermatologist must master the entire profession and keep the knowledge up to date. To be able to keep a registration as a dermatologist, he or she must follow various refresher courses every year. You can find the best dermatologist in Windsor UK.

Aesthetic dermatology

Dermatologists are leaders in cosmetic surgery, since they have undergone specialized training in this area. Many are trained in the use of Botox, fillers and laser surgery. Some dermatologists also perform cosmetic surgeries such as liposuction, blepharoplasty and face and neck lift. Most dermatologists limit their cosmetic practice to minimally invasive procedures.

Dermatopathology

A dermatopathologist is a pathologist or consultant dermatologist who specializes in pathologies of the skin. A dermatologist or pathologist will do a year of specialized training in dermatopathology. This training usually includes six months of general pathology and six months of dermatoid pathology.

Immune dermatology

This field is interested in the treatment of skin diseases of immunological origin such as lupus, bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris and other skin disorders of immunological origin. Specialists in this area often run their own immunopathology laboratories.

Mohs surgery

Mohs surgery is a dermatological subspecialty that focuses on excising skin cancer using a technique that spares healthy tissue. This technique allows intraoperative evaluation of all margins of peripheral and deep tumors. It was developed in the 1930s by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs. Doctors trained in this technique must have knowledge of surgery and pathology – dermatologists receive extensive training in both areas during their residency program. Physicians who perform Mohs surgery, in addition to receiving specialized training in this technique during their residency in dermatology, can also subsequently do a refresher course in Mohs surgery.

Pediatric dermatology

Dermatologists can obtain the necessary training for this specialty by doing both a pediatric residency and a dermatology residency or by choosing to do a specialized training course after their residency. This area includes complex diseases of newborns, hereditary skin diseases or genodermatoses and the multiple difficulties encountered in working with the pediatric population.

Teledermatology

Teledermatology is a form of dermatology where information technology is used to exchange medical information through various media (audio, visual, data transfer, but more typically photos of dermatological problems). This information is usually collected by non-dermatologists and sent for evaluation to dermatologists. This subspecialty uses a variety of means to view skin problems remotely and provide knowledge, offer a second opinion to experts, or follow up on patients with chronic skin conditions.

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Warren James is the lead editor for Diving Daily. Warren has written for many publications including the New York Daily News, Vanity Fair and Yahoo. Warren is based in New York city and covers issues affecting local communities. In addition to following the day-to-day life of the Big Apple, Warren also has a passion for martial arts.