Dermatology is the branch of medicine that deals with the hair, nails, and skin diseases. It’s a specialty with both surgical and medical aspects. Dermatologists treat disease and some of the cosmetic problems of the nails, hair, and scalp. Skin diseases are significant because they’re common, can impose a huge psychological and economic burden on patients: they can also be deadly.
Statistics of Skin Disorders in the United States
In 2013, one in every four Americans sought treatments for either one or more skin ailments. The average American was treated for overall 1.6 skin diseases. Almost 50 percent of Americans who are 65 years or older have a skin disease, and each of these individuals has an average of 2.2 disorders. Skin disorder treatments accounted for 75 billion dollars in preventative, medical, on-prescription and prescription drug costs.
Should I See a Dermatologist?
You can safely treat some skin conditions at home, but there are other conditions that require the care of specialists. Here are some reasons why you should schedule a dermatologist visit:
Acne That’s Not Responding to Over-The-Counter Skin Treatment
If you’ve acne that’s not responding to any over-the-counter skin treatment, you should visit your dermatologist. Your dermatologists can determine what type of prescription treatment is most effective for your lifestyle and acne.
Treatment of Scars on Your Skin
If you have scars that are holding you back from enjoying your life, your dermatologist can help. A dermatologist can offer skin treatments for improving the look of almost all scars, including keloid (raised) scars and acne scars.
Specialized Care of Nails, Skin, and Hair
You can talk to your dermatologist about any concerns that you have regarding almost all conditions that affect your appearance. For instance, if you have unwanted hair that you would like removed, hair removal treatments Lincoln NE is the ideal procedure. It uses IPL (intense pulsed light) or a powerful laser to remove hair from underarms, arms, legs, bikini line, and face.
Annual Screenings for Skin Cancer
The most common type of cancer is skin cancer. Each year, over 3.5 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer, according to the ACS (American Cancer Society). Early detection is crucial for the best diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, when you see anything suspicious on your skin, such as a mole that’s not changing, sore throat that doesn’t heal or bleeds, or a rough spot on the part of your body that’s always exposed to the sun, you should visit your dermatologist. Periodic skin checkups can catch early, curable melanomas.
You have Noticed Lots of Hair on Your Comb or Brush
You may need to visit your dermatologist if you are experiencing hair loss. Many people suffer from hair loss or scalp disorders. If you are a male having a receding hairline or experiencing hair loss on your scalp, you should see a dermatologist so that you can prevent losing more hair. If you are a woman, and you’ve noticed thinning on the top and front your scalp, you should visit your dermatologists. A dermatologist can restore hair in women and men through topical or injected steroids, advanced laser therapies, and air transplants.