KNOW MORE ABOUT DERMATOLOGY

Dermatology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of skin, hair, and nail conditions. Dermatologists manage a wide range of issues from cosmetic concerns to serious medical conditions.

KEY AREAS OF DERMATOLOGY:

• Medical Dermatology: Diagnosis and treatment of common skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea, and fungal infections.

• Surgical Dermatology: Surgical procedures to address skin conditions, including skin cancer removal, mole removal, cyst removal, and cosmetic procedures like scar revision and skin grafting.

• Cosmetic Dermatology: Non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures aimed at improving the appearance of the skin, including Botox injections, dermal fillers, laser therapy for skin rejuvenation, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.

• Dermatopathology: Analysis of skin tissue samples to diagnose skin diseases at a microscopic level. Dermatopathologists work closely with dermatologists to provide accurate diagnoses and guide treatment decisions.

• Paediatric Dermatology: Specialised care for skin conditions affecting infants, children, and adolescents, including eczema, diaper rash, birthmarks, and genetic skin disorders.

• Allergy Testing and Immunotherapy: Evaluation and management of allergic skin conditions, including contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and urticaria . Dermatologists may perform patch testing to identify allergens and offer immunotherapy options.

• Mohs Surgery: Mohs Surgery is a surgical technique used to remove skin cancer, particularly basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, with a high cure rate and minimal damage to healthy tissue.

COMMON CONDITIONS TREATED:

1. skin cancer:

• Melanoma: Early detection and treatment are critical.

• Non-melanoma Skin Cancer: Includes basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

2. chronic skin conditions:

• Psoriasis: Characterized by red, scaly patches.

• Eczema: Causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin.

3. hair disorders:

• Alopecia: Various forms of hair loss.

• Dandruff: Scalp condition causing flaking and itching.

4. nail disorders:

• Fungal Infections: Common infections affecting the nails.

• Nail Psoriasis: Changes in nail appearance due to psoriasis.

5. cosmetic concerns:

• Wrinkles and Aging Skin: Treatments to improve skin appearance.

• Hyperpigmentation: Dark spots and uneven skin tone.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosing dermatological conditions involves a combination of methods:

• Physical Examination: A proper visual inspection of the skin, hair, and nails is done to diagnose dermatological conditions.

• Patient History: Understanding the patient's medical history, symptoms, and any potential triggers help in proper diagnosis.

• Skin Biopsy: Removing a small sample of skin for microscopic examination to identify conditions like skin cancer or inflammatory diseases.

• Patch Testing: Applying small amounts of allergens to the skin to identify allergic reactions.

• Dermatoscopy: Using a dermatoscope to magnify and examine skin lesions.

• Blood Tests: Checking for systemic conditions that might affect the skin, like autoimmune diseases.

• Imaging: Techniques such as ultrasound or MRI to examine deeper layers of the skin.

TREATMENT

Treatment for dermatological issues varies based on the condition and its severity:

• Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive epidermal resurfacing procedure used to treat uneven skin texture, photoaging,melasma, and scars, including acne scars

• GFC injection: GFC is a new procedure introduced to help people suffering from hair loss .GFC (Growth Factor Concentrate) injections involves injecting a concentrated solution of growth factors into the scalp. The growth factors are derived from the patient's own blood and can help with Preventing hair loss, Thickening hair follicles and Improving scalp health

• Vitiligo grafting: Vitiligo grafting is a surgical procedure that can be used to treat vitiligo by covering white patches with healthy skin from an unaffected area of the body.

• Chemical peels: A chemical peel is a procedure in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove the top layers. The skin that grows back is smoother.

• Electrocautery: Electrocautery is often used during surgery to remove unwanted or harmful tissue.

• Botox and fillers: Botox and dermal fillers are both popular injectable treatments that can soften wrinkles and add volume to the face.

• Laser hair removal: Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light (laser) to remove unwanted hair.