Dermatology (Greek δερμα, "skin" and λόγος, word, science) is a branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its appendages (hair, sweat glands, etc). Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... For the chemical substances known as medicines, see medication. ...

Scope of Providers

Dermatologists are physicians specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and tumors of the skin and its appendages. There are medical and surgical sides to the specialty. Dermatologic surgeons perform skin cancer surgery (including Mohs' micrographic surgery), laser surgery, photodynamic therapy (PDT) and cosmetic penis procedures using botulinum toxin (Botox), soft tissue fillers, sclerotherapy and liposuction. Dermatopathologists interpret tissue under the microscope (histopathology). Pediatric dermatologists specialize in the diagnoses and treatment of skin disease in children. Immunodermatologists specialize in the diagnosis and management of skin diseases driven by an altered immune system including blistering (bullous) diseases such as pemphigus. In addition, there is a wide range of congenital syndromes managed by dermatologists. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners with specialized training or extensive experience in dermatology also work in this specialty. For other uses, see Doctor. ... This article is about the medical term. ... Tumor (American English) or tumour (British English) originally means swelling, and is sometimes still used with that meaning. ... Dermatologic surgeons (sometimes referred to as Dermasurgeons) are Board-certified dermatologists who are members of American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), a professional medical organization founded in 1970. ... Mohs Surgery, created by Dr. Fredrick E. Mohs, is microscopically controlled surgery that is highly effective for common types of skin cancer, with a cure rate of up to 99% for basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer, and for squamous cell carcinoma. ... Lasers were used in the 2005 Classical Spectacular concert Soon after the invention of the laser in 1960, it was described as a solution in search of a problem. However, since that time, the laser has found a place as a useful tool in many scientific, military, medical and industrial... Shown is close up of surgeons hands in an operating room with a beam of light traveling along fiber optics for photodynamic therapy. ... Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. ... In medicine, the term soft tissue refers to tissues that connect, support, or surround other structures and organs of the body. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Foam sclerotherapy. ... Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty (fat modeling), liposculpture or suction lipectomy (suction-assisted fat removal) is a cosmetic surgery operation that removes fat from many different sites on the human body. ... Histopathology is a field of pathology which specialises in the histologic study of diseased tissue. ... Pediatrics (also spelled paediatrics or pædiatrics) is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants and children. ... Immunodermatology studies skin as an organ of immunity in health and disease. ... A scanning electron microscope image of a single neutrophil (yellow), engulfing anthrax bacteria (orange). ... Pemphigus is an autoimmune disorder that causes blistering and raw sores on skin and mucous membranes. ... A congenital disorder is any medical condition that is present at birth. ... In the United States, a Physician Assistant (PA) is a health care professional licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a licensed physician (either an M.D. or D.O.) [1] PAs are not to be confused with medical assistants, who perform administrative and clinical tasks in hospitals and... A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed specific advanced nursing education (generally a masters degree) and training in the diagnosis and management of common medical conditions. ...

Subspecialties

The skin is the largest organ of the body and the most visible. Although many skin diseases are isolated, some are manifestations of internal disease. Hence, a dermatologist is schooled in aspects of surgery, rheumatology (many rheumatic diseases can feature skin symptoms and signs), immunology, neurology (the "neurocuteaneous syndromes", such as neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis), infectious diseases and endocrinology. The study of genetics is also becoming increasingly important. This article is about the biological unit. ... “Surgeon” redirects here. ... Rheumatology, a subspecialty of internal medicine, is devoted to the diagnosis and therapy of rheumatic diseases. ... Neurology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system. ... Neurofibromatosis is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder. ... Tuberous sclerosis is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a triad of signs: seizures, mental retardation, and small benign facial skin tumors (angiofibromas). ... Endocrinology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the endocrine system and its specific secretions called hormones. ...

Venereology and phlebology

Venereology, the subspecialty that diagnoses and treats sexually transmitted diseases, and phlebology, the specialty that deals with problems of the superficial venous system, are both part of a dermatologist's expertise. Venereology is an album by Japanese noise musician Masami Akita, under the name Merzbow. ... Sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), are diseases that are commonly transmitted between partners through some form of sexual activity, most commonly vaginal intercourse, oral sex, or anal sex. ... This page may meet Wikipedias criteria for speedy deletion. ... In the circulatory system, a vein is a blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart. ...

Cosmetic dermatology

Cosmetic dermatology has long been an important part of the field, and dermatologists have been the primary innovators in this area. In the 1900's dermatologists employed dermabrasion to improve acne scarring and fat microtransfer was used to fill in cutaneous defects. Dermatologists specializing in cosmetic dermatology typically use non-invasive procedures to reverse the signs of aging. Botox has been used since it was FDA approved for the treatment of wrinkles. It is used to minimize wrinkles such as frown lines and crow's feet. Fillers are used to "fill in" lines on the face and to minimize the appearance wrinkles. Brand names of fillers include Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Radiesse and Cosmoplast among many others. Dermatologists are also the pioneers of energy based treatments for the skin and these include lasers, intense pulsed light, radiofrequency, infrared light and photodynamic treatments. Botulin toxin or botox is the toxic compound produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. ... Restylane is the trade name for a specific formulation of non-animal sourced hyaluronic acid. ... A human arm, four hours after IPL treatment. ... Radio frequency, or RF, refers to that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in which electromagnetic waves can be generated by alternating current fed to an antenna. ... Image of a small dog taken in mid-infrared (thermal) light (false color) Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than visible light, but shorter than microwave radiation. ...

Dermatologic surgery

Dermatologic surgery (dermasurgery) is performed by all dermatologists. Surgery is an integral part of dermatology residency training; thus all dermatologists are well trained in cutaneous surgery. In North America specialized training through a 1 year dermatologic surgery fellowship is available upon completion of the dermatology residency, and usually focuses on training in Mohs' micrographic surgery. Most dermatologic surgeons who have a special interest in this field apply for fellowship status with the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneouis Oncology; or the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dermatologic surgeons (sometimes referred to as Dermasurgeons) are Board-certified dermatologists who are members of American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), a professional medical organization founded in 1970. ...

Techniques available to a dermatologic surgeon include lasers, traditional scalpel surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, photodynamic therapy, liposuction, blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery), minimally-invasive facelift surgery (e.g., the S-lift), and a variety of topical and injectable agents such as dermal fillers including fat transfer and hyaluronic acid. Some specially trained dermatologic surgeons perform Mohs' surgery, which can be an effective method for the treatment of recurrent, indistinct, or difficult skin cancers.

Diagnosis

Any mole that is irregular in color or shape should be examined by a dermatologist to determine if it is a malignant melanoma, the most serious and life-threatening form of skin cancer. Following a visual examination and a dermatoscopic exam (an invaluable new instrument that illuminates a mole without reflected light), a dermatologist may biopsy a suspicious mole. If it is malignant, it will be excised in the dermatologist's office. Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes which are found predominantly in skin but also in the bowel and the eye (see uveal melanoma). ...

Medical history

The first step of any contact with a physician is the medical history. In order to classify a cutaneous eruption, the dermatologist will ask detailed questions on the duration and temporal pattern of skin problems, itching or pain, relation to food intake, sunlight, over-the-counter creams and clothing. When an underlying disease is suspected, an additional detailed history of related symptoms will be elicited (such as arthritis in a suspected case of lupus erythematosus). Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions where there is damage caused to the joints of the body. ... Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE or lupus) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can be fatal, though with recent medical advances, fatalities are becoming increasingly rare. ...

Microbiology

Culture or Gram staining of suspected infectious lesions may identify a pathogen and help direct therapy. A microbiological culture is a way to determine the cause of infectious disease by letting the agent multiply (reproduce) in predetermined media. ... Gram staining is a method for staining samples of bacteria that differentiates between the two main types of bacterial cell wall. ... A pathogen (from Greek pathos, suffering/emotion, and gene, to give birth to), infectious agent, or more commonly germ, is a biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host. ...

Biopsy

If the diagnosis is uncertain or a cutaneous malignancy is suspected, the dermatologic surgeon may perform a small punch biopsy (using a local anesthetic) for examination under the microscope by the dermatologist who is a trained dermatopathologist. When normal cells are damaged or old they undergo apoptosis; cancer cells, however, avoid apoptosis. ... Brain biopsy A biopsy (in Greek: bios = life and opsy = look/appearance) is a medical test involving the removal of cells or tissues for examination. ... A local anesthetic is a drug that reversibly inhibits the propagation of signals along nerves. ... Dermatopathology is a subspecialty of anatomical pathology interested in skin diseases. ...

Therapy

The skin is obviously accessible to topical local therapy. Antibiotic creams can help eliminate infections, while inflammatory skin diseases (such as eczema and psoriasis) often respond to steroid creams or topical anthralin. Dermatologists are innovators of new immune enhancing treatments, like topical imiquimod for superficial cancers and injection immunotherapy for warts as discussed below. Staphylococcus aureus - Antibiotics test plate. ... An abscess on the skin, showing the redness and swelling characteristic of inflammation. ... For the beetle, see Exema. ... This article is about the chemical family of steroids. ...

Topical medications

Topical medications treat many dermatological diseases, but dermatologists also use oral medications. Antibiotics and immune suppressants or immune enhancing agents (injection immunotherapy or topical imiquimod) for dermatological diseases or tumors. Isotretinoin ("Accutane") is used for severe cystic acne vulgaris and often produces a lifetime remission of this disfiguring disease. Isotretinoin prescribing in the U.S. is now controlled by a cumbersome FDA governmental website called iPLEDGE. Various new modalities of treatment are in the foray; with the advent of laser technology things are quite promising. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Staphylococcus aureus - Antibiotics test plate. ... Immunosuppression is the medical suppression of the immune system. ... Immunostimulators are the drugs which stimulate the immune system by inducing activation or increasing activity of any of its components. ... Isotretinoin (INN) (pronounced or [1]) is a medication used for the treatment of severe acne. ... This article is about cysts in the body. ... This article is about a skin disease commonly found during adolescence. ... The correct title of this article is iPledge. ...

Photomedicine

Photomedicine involves the use of ultraviolet light, often in combination with oral or topical agents, to treat skin disease (e.g., psoriasis or mycosis fungoides). Photomedicine is an interdisciplinary branch of medicine that involves the study and application of light with respect to health and disease. ... Note: Ultraviolet is also the name of a 1998 UK television miniseries about vampires. ... Mycosis Fungoides, also known as Alibert-Bazin syndrome or granuloma fungoides, is a rare form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. ...

Surgical therapies

Surgical intervention by a dermatologic surgeon may be necessary, for example, to treat varicose veins or skin cancer. Varicose veins can be treated with sclerotherapy (injecting an agent that obliterates the vein) or the long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser. Skin cancers can be managed with excision (including Mohs cancer surgery), cryosurgery, x-ray, or with the recent topical immune enhancing agent imiquimod. (See above section on "Dermatologic Surgery" for more details.) Dermatologic surgeons (sometimes referred to as Dermasurgeons) are Board-certified dermatologists who are members of American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), a professional medical organization founded in 1970. ... Varicose veins are veins on the leg which are large, twisted, and ropelike, and can cause pain, swelling, or itching. ... Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin which can have many causes. ... MOHS Cancer Surgery Mohs surgery is microscopically controlled surgery that is highly effective for common types of skin cancer, with a cure rate of up to 99% for basal cell cancer, the most common skin cancer. ... Imiquimod (INN, marketed by 3M under the trade name Aldara) is a prescription medication that acts as an immune response modifier. ... Dermatology (Greek δερμα, skin and λόγος, word, science) is a branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its appendages (hair, sweat glands, etc). ...

Psychodermatology and hypnodermatology

Main articles: Psychodermatology and Hypnodermatology

Psychodermatology and hypnodermatology involve using hypnosis in combination with other pseudo-psychological therapies to treat skin disorders. Psychodermatology is the practice of treating skin disorders using psychological and psychiatric techniques. ... Hypnodermatology is an informal label for the use of hypnosis in treating the skin conditions that fall between conventional medical dermatology and the mental health disciplines. ... Psychodermatology is the practice of treating skin disorders using psychological and psychiatric techniques. ... Hypnodermatology is an informal label for the use of hypnosis in treating the skin conditions that fall between conventional medical dermatology and the mental health disciplines. ...

Training programs

Residency training program in North America

A minimum of 12 years of college and post graduate training is required to become a dermatologist in the United States and Canada. This includes graduation from a 4-year college where they will take Pre-Medicine, then a 4-year medical school followed by a year of post graduate training in medicine, surgery or pediatrics (called an internship) after which a physician may apply for admission to graduate dermatology residency training. Dermatology residencies are the most competitive in terms of admission^[1][2][3]. The nation's most prestigious residency training programs include New York University, the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, Stanford, and the University of California, San Francisco (known colloquially as the "Big Five"). Following the successful completion of formal residency training in dermatology (3 years) the physician is qualified to take certifying board examinations (written) by the American Board of Dermatology or the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Once board certified, dermatologists become Diplomates of the American Board of Dermatology or the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology AOCD. They are then eligible to apply for fellowship status in the American Academy of Dermatology. Some dermatologists undertake advanced subspecialty training in programs known as fellowships after completion of their residency training. These fellowships are either one or two years in duration. Fellowships in dermatology include pediatric dermatology, surgical dermatology including Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatopathology (pathology of skin diseases) and dermatological immunology. A medical intern, in the context of medical education in the United States, is a historical term for a physician in training who has completed medical school, passed step two of the USMLE or COMLEX-USA, and is undergoing his or her first year of post-graduate training (PGY1). ... Residency is a stage of postgraduate medical training in North America and leads to eligibility for board certification in a primary care or referral specialty. ... The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is the largest organization of dermatologists in the world. ...

Training programme in Australia

An Australian specialist dermatologist will have completed 4-6 years of medical school (depending on institution), one internship year and at least one year of general medical or surgical service in the public hospital system, prior to becoming eligible for specialist training in dermatology. The selection process is rigorous and transparent; candidates must pass science and pharmacology exams and engage in monitored and assessed practical training in all aspects of medical and surgical dermatology. At the completion of the 5 year training programme, trainees sit a national written examination held over two days. Successful candidates may then proceed to the practical viva examination, similarly held over 2 days. Successful candidates may then apply for Fellowship status with the Australasian College of Dermatologists. A medical intern, in the context of medical education in the United States, is a historical term for a physician in training who has completed medical school, passed step two of the USMLE or COMLEX-USA, and is undergoing his or her first year of post-graduate training (PGY1). ...

Training program in India

To be a dermatologist in India, a minimum of 2 years (for diploma ) or 3 years (for MD) of training is required after graduation from medical school and internship. The period involves rigorous training in all aspects of general dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, dermatopathology, dermatosurgery, venereal diseases (including HIV) and leprosy. At the end of the training period the resident has to go through written tests and clinical exams. The postgraduate qualification awarded is DVD (Diploma in Venereology and Dermatology) and MD (dermatology, venereology and leprosy). Many specialists also go for certification by the national board (for the award of 'diplomate of national board'). The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists(IADVL)is one of the largest dermatolological associations in the world. A medical intern, in the context of medical education in the United States, is a historical term for a physician in training who has completed medical school, passed step two of the USMLE or COMLEX-USA, and is undergoing his or her first year of post-graduate training (PGY1). ... For the malady found in the Hebrew Bible, see Tzaraath. ...

Research

From the basic science of cutaneous genetics and immunology, to the practical application of new knowledge and technology in the diagnosis and management of skin disease (like psoriasis) and surgical treatment of skin cancer, dermatologists have been among the leaders in the field. The annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology is one of the keys for rapid dissemination of new knowledge to the practicing dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon. This article is about skin in the biological sense. ... This article is about the general scientific term. ... Immunology is a broad branch of biomedical science that covers the study of all aspects of the immune system in all organisms. ...

Dermatological diseases

Further information: List of dermatological diseases

This is a list of diseases of the skin. ... Folliculitis is inflammation of one or more hair follicles. ... A hair follicle is part of the skin that grows hair by packing old cells together. ... Binomial name Rosenbach 1884 Staphylococcus aureus , literally Golden Cluster Seed and also known as golden staph, is the most common cause of staph infections. ... A carbuncle is an abscess larger than a boil, usually with one or more openings draining pus onto the skin. ... Sweating (also called perspiration or sometimes transpiration) is the loss of a watery fluid, consisting mainly of sodium chloride and urea in solution, that is secreted by the sweat glands in the skin of mammals. ... In humans, there are four kinds of sudoriferous or sweat glands which differ greatly in both the composition of the sweat and its purpose. ... A hair follicle is part of the skin that grows hair by packing old cells together. ... This article is about the use of a razor. ... The dermis is a layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. ... Species S. agalactiae S. bovis S. mutans S. pneumoniae S. pyogenes S. salivarius S. sanguinis S. suis Streptococcus viridans Streptococcus uberis etc. ... Phyla Actinobacteria Aquificae Chlamydiae Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Chloroflexi Chrysiogenetes Cyanobacteria Deferribacteres Deinococcus-Thermus Dictyoglomi Fibrobacteres/Acidobacteria Firmicutes Fusobacteria Gemmatimonadetes Lentisphaerae Nitrospirae Planctomycetes Proteobacteria Spirochaetes Thermodesulfobacteria Thermomicrobia Thermotogae Verrucomicrobia Bacteria (singular: bacterium) are unicellular microorganisms. ... Connective tissue is one of the four types of tissue in traditional classifications (the others being epithelial, muscle, and nervous tissue. ... This article is about the organ. ... This article is about the physical mechanism of diffusion. ... Species S. aureus Staphylococcus (in Greek staphyle means bunch of grapes and coccos means granule) is a genus of gram-positive bacteria. ... Species S. pneumoniae S. pyogenes S. viridans Streptococcus is a genus of spherical, Gram-positive bacteria of the phylum Firmicutes. ... Binomial name Streptococcus pneumoniae Streptococcus pneumoniae is a species of Streptococcus that is a major human pathogen. ... An anaerobic organism or anaerobe is any organism that does not require oxygen for growth. ...

History

The work De morbis cutaneis ("On the diseases of the skin" - 1572) by Geronimo Mercuriali from Forlì (Italy) is known as the first scientific tractation about Dermatology. Early photographic documentation of skin diseases was produced by Balmanno Squire, Dr. Alfred Hardy, Dr. A. de Montméja, Dr. Howard Franklin Damon, Dr. George Henry Fox and Dr. Oscar G. Mason in the latter 1800s. January 16 - Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk is tried for treason for his part in the Ridolfi plot to restore Catholicism in England. ... For Saint Mercurialis of Forli, click here. ... Forlì is a comune and city in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, famed as the birthplace of the great painter Melozzo da Forlì and of Fascist leader Benito Mussolini, at the nearby comune of Predappio. ... Bellevue Aphrodite Oscar G. Masons portrait of elephantiasis published in Fox. ...

Notes

Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Further reading

• Dermatology Times - a newsmagazine

See also

• Dermatopathology
• Rash
• Immunodermatology
• Skin
• Hair
• Dermasurgery

Dermatopathology is a subspecialty of anatomical pathology interested in skin diseases. ... A rash is a change in skin which affects its color, appearance, or texture. ... Immunodermatology studies skin as an organ of immunity in health and disease. ... This article is about the organ. ... This article is about the body feature. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Dermatology. ...

External links

• American Academy of Dermatology
• Canadian Dermatology Association
• American Society for Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery
• DMOZ - Skin Conditions, Diseases, Disorders
• DERMWEB - Dermatology Links and Resources by the University of British Columbia
• Skin diseases and disorders - dermatology atlas
• American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
• American Society for Mohs Surgery
• American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery
• Australasian College of Dermatologists