What is dermatology?
What is dermatology?
Dermatology is a branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions related to the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes. Today, dermatology recognizes approximately 3,000 skin diseases and related conditions.
Who is a dermatologist?
Who is a dermatologist?
A dermatologist is a doctor specialized in the treatment of the skin, hair, and nails, as well as certain visible mucous membranes. They are also trained to diagnose and treat sexually transmitted diseases.
When should you visit a dermatologist?
When should you visit a dermatologist?
The incidence of skin cancer is increasing worldwide. Those particularly at risk include people who have already had melanoma or have a family history of it; individuals with an above-average number of moles; those who have experienced repeated sunburns; and people with fair skin. However, not every mole is melanoma. It is essential to monitor your moles regularly and have them checked by a dermatologist from time to time.
When should you visit a dermatologist?
You should pay attention to moles that:
•change in size, color, or shape,
• look completely different from other moles (asymmetrical or with uneven borders),
• have changed in thickness and appear multicolored,
• itch, bleed, burn, or discharge,
• have a pearly (whitish) appearance on the surface or resemble a sore that does not heal.
What to expect during the examination?
What to expect during the examination?
A dermatologist first conducts a consultation with the patient. The patient explains the issue that brought them to the clinic. It is then checked whether the patient has previously been treated for any skin diseases and whether similar problems occur in other family members.
What to expect during the examination?
No special preparation is required before a dermatological examination. It is only important that the skin is clean, free of makeup, and that the problem area is visible. The dermatologist may perform the examination with the naked eye or with a magnifying glass equipped with a light – a dermatoscope. After the examination, the dermatologist provides a final opinion, makes a diagnosis, prescribes therapy, and, if necessary, recommends further examinations.
At Aristotel Healthcare Center, we perform specialist dermatology and venereology examinations, which include an assessment of the skin and mucous membranes, hair, and nails, and, if needed, also the genital area.
Dermatological conditions
Dermatological conditions
There are several types of skin conditions, including:
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Melasma – a condition that causes brown or gray-brown patches on the skin, most often on the face.
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Dermatitis – inflammation of the skin that can cause redness, itching, and irritation (includes eczema).
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Rosacea – a chronic skin condition that causes facial redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps.
Dermatological conditions
Some common skin conditions include:
Psoriasis – a chronic disease that causes skin cells to build up rapidly, leading to scaling, redness, and itching.
Acne – a common condition where hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, leading to pimples, blackheads, or cysts.
Fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails – caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, or molds, leading to redness, itching, and changes in nail or hair appearance.
Herpes simplex – a viral infection that usually appears as blisters or sores around the mouth or genital area.
Vitiligo – a condition where the skin loses pigment cells, causing white patches on different areas of the body.
Impetigo – a highly contagious bacterial skin infection, common in children, that causes red sores which can rupture and form a yellowish crust.
Warts – small, rough growths on the skin caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
Melasma appears as brownish patches on the facial skin. These are often the result of not using creams with a high sun protection factor but can also occur due to hormonal imbalances (for example, during pregnancy or when taking contraceptives). It is one of the most common types of hyperpigmentation. The patches may vary in size, from very small spots to larger areas covering a significant part of the face. When caused by pregnancy, they may fade after childbirth, although not always.
Chronic conditions
Chronic conditions
Dermatitis, also known as eczema, is an inflammation of the skin. People usually seek medical help due to dry, itchy, red, or swollen skin. At first, small blisters or bumps may appear, sometimes with discharge. Crusts can also develop. In cases of long-term dermatitis, flat bumps form on the skin, which becomes extremely dry, thickened, and wrinkled.
Chronic conditions
There are several types of dermatitis:
Atopic dermatitis – occurs in both infants and adults. In infants, it presents as bright red patches that may ooze and are covered with small bumps (most often on the forehead, scalp, and cheeks). In adults, inflammatory changes appear on the face, neck, scalp, and skin folds, where the skin becomes thickened and red.
Allergic contact dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis – manifests as recurrent skin inflammation in characteristic areas such as the face, scalp, and chest.
Irritant contact dermatitis
Stasis dermatitis
Nummular dermatitis
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that requires very careful and gentle skin care adapted to extremely sensitive skin. It presents with pronounced facial redness, flushing, and visible red areas on the cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead. In some cases, the eyes may also be affected, leading to conjunctivitis. A consultation with a dermatologist is recommended for proper treatment.
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease. It appears as patches of thickened, inflamed, and reddened skin covered with silvery scales. Although it looks unpleasant, psoriasis is not contagious. As it is a polygenic and multifactorial condition, consultation with a dermatologist is necessary.
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions, present in both sexes, usually beginning at puberty. In most people, acne appears on the face, but it may also affect the back, chest, neck, shoulders, and upper arms. It manifests as blackheads and whiteheads (open and closed comedones), pink bumps (papules), and pus-filled spots (pustules).
Fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails are among the most common superficial infections. They often appear in moist and warm areas of the body. The infection is caused by different types of fungi, most commonly dermatophytes. It must be treated to prevent spreading to other parts of the body or to other people. Diagnosis can be confirmed with a swab or sample of skin, nail, hair, or mucosa.
Herpes simplex is a chronic infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2 (HSV-1/2). During outbreaks, small fluid-filled blisters appear on the skin and later form scabs. Most often, lesions appear on the lips or around the nose. When affecting the genital or anal area, the condition is referred to as genital herpes.
Vitiligo is a persistent skin condition and one of the most resistant forms of hypopigmentation. In this disease, melanocytes (the cells that produce melanin pigment) are gradually destroyed. This results in white patches of varying size appearing on the skin. Vitiligo is currently understood as an autoimmune disease, and treatment is complex. Local treatment options include corticosteroids, UVB phototherapy, and similar methods.
Impetigo is a bacterial infection of the upper layers of the skin, presenting with sores, blisters, and crusts. These can spread to other parts of the body and to people in close contact with the patient. The infection is caused by staphylococci or streptococci and often occurs on skin already damaged by scratches, insect bites, or small wounds.
Warts are small growths caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). There are more than 200 types of HPV, each associated with different kinds of warts. These include common warts, plantar warts, filiform warts, and genital warts.
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