Do you suffer from a skin, hair or nail issue and need treatment fast? Suffering from a rash or other skin condition is agitating at best and medically dangerous at worst. Losing your hair prematurely, or as a female at any age is mentally and emotionally challenging. For some it is even a sign of a more serious underlying condition. A dermatologist is a professional medical specialist with many years of intense schooling. Dermatologists treat over 3,000 conditions having to do with your skin, hair, nails, scalp and mucous membranes. How do you find the best dermatologist near you? What types of ailments do dermatologists treat? Dermatologists help patients of any age, from newborns to the elderly. Read on for important tips & information about how to find a dermatologist near you.
Dermatology 101
Dermatology is a unique field of professional medicine focusing on skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes. People occasionally confuse dermatology with cosmetology, which also deals with skin, hair and nails. The similarities stop there, however. Cosmetology deals with outside appearances and beautification techniques such as makeup application and hair styling. Dermatology deals with medical conditions and/or ailments adversely affecting your skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes. The skin is the largest organ of the human body. Mucous membranes span three major biological systems as well as the inside of your eyelids and ears. It is consequently not surprising there are more than three thousand conditions treatable by a dermatologist, some of which have a potentially serious impact on your overall wellbeing and health.
Understanding What Dermatologists Do
Dermatologists treat patients of any age, from newborns to the elderly. Some work done by a dermatologist does indeed involve the treatment of non-medically threatening cosmetic alterations such as hair loss and wrinkles. Some cosmetic dermatology treatments combine cosmetic aspects with medical treatments. For example, dermatologists treat psoriasis. Psoriasis is a flaky, white/red, itchy skin disease caused by a malfunctioning immune system, the most common of which creates an unnaturally rapid turnover in your cells.
Dermatologists also treat medical issues caused by acne, rosacea and other rashes. The medical aspect of dealing with these conditions involves diagnosing the sources and creating appropriate treatment plans. Some dermatology conditions are severe and dangerous. Skin cancer and cancerous cysts some times require surgery by a dermatologist to be removed. Less serious surgeries performed by dermatologists include the removal of warts, moles or other skin growths.
Types of Ailments Treated by Dermatologists
Dermatologists treat a wide variety of ailments ranging in severity from cosmetic to medically dangerous. Dermatologists treat acne using ointments, laser treatments, chemical peels, oral medications and more. A dermatologist might also remove a birthmark from a newborn, which is threatening to impede the newborn’s vision. Your skin is prone to potentially housing parasites, viruses, bacteria and other dangerous biological invaders. Your dermatologist determines the cause of these invasive issues and helps remove them from your body. Other types of ailments treated by dermatologists and some procedures they perform include:
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Diagnosing internal conditions causing external itching and/or rashes
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Removing melanomas
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Treating dermatitis
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Fixing nail separation
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Treating allergies
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Performing Cryotherapy
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Removing skin tags
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Performing Mohs Surgery
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Performing Dermabrasion, sclerotherapy or liposuction
Best Ways to Find a Dermatologist Near You
The quickest way to find a dermatologist near you is by conducting both general and specific online searches. Entering “dermatologist,” along with your zip code into household-name search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing is a fast and effective way to get a multitude of results. There are also other search engines and websites dedicated to generating more refined results based on your unique needs. For example, services such as Teladoc.com have a dedicated dermatology portal. Other dedicated dermatology websites and search engines include:
There are ways to find a dermatologist near you without using online searches. Calling your insurance company and asking an agent for in-network dermatologist recommendations is specifically effective. Going this route is not as fast as using an online search, but it does get you directly in contact with a dermatologist you know your insurance will pay for, at least in part. It is also possible to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician (PCP) and ask him or her for a referral to a dermatologist near you. This method occasionally takes the longest because it involves waiting for your PCP to have an open appointment date. If your insurance is an HMO, however, a referral from your PCP will be required to see a specialist either way.
Are All Dermatologists Doctors?
It is important to make sure your dermatologist is a board-certified doctor with an accredited education. The letters FAAD stand for “Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.” If your U.S. dermatologist does not have FAAD in his or her title, he or she is not board-certified. Why is this important? A board-certified dermatologist completes twelve years of education and training to become qualified to treat your issue and/or condition. Some dermatology issues/conditions when left untreated lead to or are indicative of the onset of cancer. Others indicate potential liver disease or dangerous hormonal imbalances. Hormonal imbalances are occasionally a precursor to diabetes. There are practitioners claiming to be dermatologists who do not have certification or advanced training. It is important to put your trust into a board-certified dermatologist capable of treating your condition effectively, especially when your life is potentially on the line.