Dermatology
A dermatologist is a type of doctor that diagnoses and treats conditions that affect your hair, skin, and nails. They also treat conditions that affect mucous membranes, or the delicate tissue that lines your nose, mouth, and eyelids.
The primary reasons for these visits include treating:
- skin lesions
- acne
- skin rashes
- discoloration or pigmentation
A dermatologist’s work can typically be divided into three areas. These include:
- Medical. A dermatologist can diagnose and treat conditions that affect your skin. This includes conditions like plaque psoriasis, rosacea, and acne. A dermatologist can also identify symptoms on your skin that could be signs of other health conditions. For example, itchy, dry skin can sometimes indicate problems with your kidneys.
- Surgery. Many dermatologists do minor surgery, like removing moles or warts or doing skin biopsies. Other dermatologists will specialize in more extensive surgery. These procedures can include removing benign cysts or skin cancer.
- Cosmetic. A dermatologist can treat skin issues that affect your appearance. This may include hair loss, dark spots, or wrinkles. Many dermatologists are trained to administer cosmetic treatments, too. These include fillers, chemical peels, and laser hair removal.