Medical dermatologists are highly trained doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions, including those that affect the scalp, lips, and nails. Unlike cosmetic dermatologists, who focus on improving the appearance of patients’ skin, a medical dermatologist is the specialist you need to see if you have an acute or chronic skin condition that threatens the health of your skin.
To help you understand medical dermatology better, let’s talk about the most common skin conditions that medical dermatology specialists treat.
Skin Conditions that Need Medical Treatment
There are a great number of skin conditions that require medical treatment, and below you will find just a few of the most commonly treated in dermatologists’ clinics:
- Acne – Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Acne can develop not just on the face, but also on any other areas of skin with sebaceous glands, such as the chest and back. The most common type of acne is acne vulgaris, which includes blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.
- Eczema – Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become irritated and inflamed, forming very itchy, raised patches. Eczema has a genetic and environmental component, and is usually caused by an overreaction of the immune system.
- Psoriasis – Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes the skin to become red and scaly. It most commonly affects the scalp, trunk, elbows, and knees. Psoriasis is thought to be related to an overactive immune system, wherein the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells. This causes the body to produce new skin cells more quickly than normal, causing the tell-tale symptoms of psoriasis.
- Rosacea – Rosacea is a chronic condition that causes redness and inflammation on the face. Rosacea tends to run in families, so there may be a genetic predisposition to the condition. In addition, certain lifestyle factors can trigger or worsen rosacea symptoms, such as drinking alcohol, eating spicy foods, and exposure to sunlight or other sources of heat.
- Skin cancer – Skin cancer occurs when skin cells are damaged by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, causing skin cells to grow out of control and form tumors. Melanoma is the most deadly type of skin cancer, and it usually starts in a mole.
- Warts – Warts are small growths on the skin that are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are over 100 types of HPV, and some can cause warts on different parts of the body.
Medical dermatology specialists are most qualified to diagnose and treat a lot of skin conditions. If you have rashes, bumps, or other changes to your skin that don’t go away after a couple of weeks, it’s time to see a medical dermatologist who can find out what is causing your symptoms and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Medical Dermatologists in Greater Athens, GA
Georgia Skin Cancer & Aesthetic Dermatology is a dermatology practice providing medical and cosmetic treatments to patients in greater Athens, Georgia, as well as Commerce, Lake Oconee, Elberton, and Winder. We have board-certified medical dermatologists as part of our team, who are dedicated to providing you the highest quality dermatological care in Georgia.
If you choose Georgia Skin Cancer & Aesthetic Dermatology as your provider, we guarantee a one-stop shop experience. To schedule a consultation with one of our dermatologists, call our office today at (706) 543-5858 or use our convenient online request form.