According to AAD (the American Academy of Dermatology) records, dermatologists such as Alta Dermatology near Lake Forest deal with more than 3,000 different skin diseases that range from acne to skin cancer. They are also known for providing help to cosmetic companies to revitalize the appearance of the nails, hair and skin.
The Need for Dermatologists
The CDC reported that in 2010 alone, 39 million people were reported to have experienced a skin-related condition some time that year alone. The same year, there were approximately 700,000 registered and practicing dermatologists. According to a survey conducted in 2012, it showed that the number has really increased by more than 4%. The same survey also showed that many people were happy with the services they receive from board certified dermatologists. The average score was 4.05 out of 5.
Therefore, the question is; what is dermatology and who is a dermatologist? What kind of work do they really do? How are they contributing to the medical society? These are some of the questions many people are asking today. Well, through this article, you will learn more about dermatology.
What Is Dermatology?
Dermatology is a field of medicine that deals with skin and nail problems. Therefore, dermatology can be defined as a field of medicine that deals with diagnosis, maintenance and treatment of diseases of the mucous membrane, nail, skin and even hair.
The skin is the largest organ of the body. It covers a total area of around 20 square feet. The skin acts as a protective part of the body against bacteria or injury. The skin reflects the overall health of the body.
Any skin, hair, nails and even mucous membrane disorder is managed and treated through cosmetic procedures, surgery, radiotherapy, phototherapy, medication, laser therapy, immunotherapy, and histopathology.
Who is a Dermatologist?
A dermatologist like Dr. Victoria Wang MD is a person who is qualified and specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of conditions associated with the skin, hair, nail, sweat, mucous membrane (mostly includes the mouth, nose, and eyelids) and oil glands. It can also include skin cancer.
Dermatologists can treat anyone of any age starting with babies, adults to even people over 100 years of age. Out of 3000 different dermatology conditions that can be treated, 20 of these conditions account for around 80% of dermatologist’s workload.
Dermatology Qualifications
In order to be a dermatologist, a person is required to have at least four education certificates showing:
-Completed and earned a college degree and a graduate degree from medical school by either specializing in Osteopathic medicine (DO) or Medical doctor (MD).
-Certificate or proof of internship completion in a hospital or clinic. A dermatologist to be should commonly deal with general surgery, internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics and even emergency medicine during his/her intern period.
-A dermatology residency program certificate or proof. After the internship, a dermatologist to be is required to get into dermatology residency program to receive more training in surgical processes, diagnosis, and treatment for different skin related conditions. These programs run for at least 3 years.
-A dermatology board exam: ad dermatologist produce dermatology board exam to show they have qualified. This exam is there to test how qualified a person is. The best thing about this exam is that they are taken every 10 years even if they have completed school.
A dermatologist may also decide to specialize in a particular subspecialty of dermatology like Mohs surgery or cosmetic surgery, dermatopathology, or pediatrics. She can do so by continuing with studies that specializes in that area.
Common Conditions Treated By A Dermatologist
Well, by looking at the qualification level, we can safely say that dermatologists have wide knowledge and required medical specialty for treating skin conditions. However, according to statistics, it has shown that the most common conditions dermatologists treat are:
Acne
Dermatitis and Eczema
Skin and Nail Fungal Infections
Hair Disorders
Nail Problems
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Warts
Vitiligo
Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
Skin Cancer
Dermatologists like Dr. Victoria Wang play a very big role when it comes to skin treatment and cosmetics. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us today.
We are also very close to and care for patients in Laguna Beach, Corona Del Mar, Ladera Ranch, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, San Clemente, Laguna Woods, Rancho Santa Margarita, Irvine, Costa Mesa and Laguna Hills.