Dermatology

Dermatology is a branch of medicine dealing with diverse diseases of the skin and its attachments including nails, hair and sweat glands; the mucous membrane and a number of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).

These disorders include warts, acne, skin cancers, multiple inflammatory dermatoses, occupational dermatoses, autoimmune diseases and contact dermatitis. The treatment varies from surgical procedures (sclerotherapy, excisions, hair transplants, liposuction, tissue augmentation therapies, and laser surgery), therapy for photoaging skin and prevention of diseases and cancers of the skin.

A dermatologist is a medical doctor who practices dermatology. There are several aspects to the specialty.

Dermasurgery covers skin cancer surgery, photodynamic therapy, laser surgery, liposuction, sclerotherapy, and cosmetic procedures using botulinum toxin or botox. Dermatopathology is a sub-specialty of anatomical pathology concerning skin diseases. Immunodermatology is the study of the skin as an agent of immunity in health and disease. A number of areas have special focus, such as inflammatory diseases (atopic eczema and allergic contact dermatitis), photo-immunology (effects of UV on skin defense), the immunology of microbial skin diseases (leprosy and retrovirus infections) and autoimmune skin diseases such as psoriasis and vitiligo.