Who are dermatologists?
Skin is the body's largest organ. It is the first line of defense, protecting the body against microbes and other microelements, and it also helps regulate body temperature. However, exposure to microbial and environmental factors can damage the health of our skin.
Skin, hair, and nail color and texture variations indicate our overall health. Dermatologists are certified medical professionals who can assess these variations and arrive at a diagnosis. They can determine if a skin issue indicates a serious underlying health condition, like diabetes or heart conditions, or less major ones, like mild acne, dermatitis, dandruff, etc., which could also affect an individual's quality of life.
Educational qualifications and training of a dermatologist
To find the best dermatologist near you, seek the following qualifications that define a dermatologist. For an aspiring dermatologist, it starts with receiving a professional education, followed by rigorous training for over a decade. It includes four years of medical school, a year-long internship, at least three years of a dermatology residency program, completing 12,000-16,000 hours of patient care, and finally, obtaining the license to practice.
Some dermatologists pursue additional advanced training, known as fellowship training. With some dermatologists, you might find the credential 'FAAD' along with their name, which stands for Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. They are called board-certified dermatologists and are specialists recognized by the American Board of Dermatology or the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology.
What are common conditions treated by dermatologists?
A board-certified dermatologist in the U.S. can accurately diagnose and treat more than 3,000 conditions or diseases related to skin, hair, and nail cosmetic concerns. Some common dermatological symptoms that would need a consultation are:
- Rashes—Usually observed as a change in the appearance of the skin, most rashes are simple skin irritations, but some persistent ones require medical attention.
- Dermatitis - Inflammation of the skin is usually called dermatitis. It can be of various types, such as Atopic dermatitis, which is very common.
- Eczema - When skin inflammation causes itchy rashes, it is called eczema.
- Psoriasis - Psoriasis, an autoimmune disorder, causes various skin rashes.
- Dandruff is a scaly or flaky scalp condition, possibly due to psoriasis, eczema, or seborrheic dermatitis.
- Acne is an inflammatory skin disorder. Although common among teenagers, it can affect people of any age.
- Warts - A viral skin infection can cause the skin to grow excessively and form rough, skin-colored bumps called warts.
- Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is a common skin cancer in sun-exposed body areas. It looks like shiny bumps, open sores, or red patches, which might ooze lesions, bleed, or, in some cases, be crusty or itchy.
- Melanoma - A dangerous kind of skin cancer, melanoma mainly occurs due to damage caused by exposure to the sun and can be confirmed by performing a skin biopsy.
- Squamous cell carcinoma is a fairly common skin cancer that causes abnormal, accelerated growth of squamous cells. It is usually triggered by DNA damage caused by ultraviolet radiation or other agents.
- Herpes - A viral infection caused by HSV-1 and HSV-2 viruses that causes blisters around the lips or the genitals is called Herpes.
- Shingles - Often characterized by painful rashes on one side of the body, the chicken pox virus causes shingles.
- Fungal infection of the skin - Viral exanthem, tinea versicolor, and ringworm are common fungal skin infections. Viral exanthem is especially common in children.
- Scabies—Typical symptoms include an intensely itchy rash on the fingers, wrists, elbows, and buttocks. Tiny mites burrow into the skin to cause this condition.
- Hair loss—A host of factors can cause hair loss. While stress-induced hair loss is the most common, side effects of certain medications, such as beta-blockers and warfarin, and autoimmune diseases like Alopecia areata can also cause it.
What kinds of treatments do dermatologists provide?
Dermatologists engage in diverse treatments to address the ever-increasing prevalence of skin diseases. These procedures encompass an assortment of techniques to tackle various skin-related issues. Some standard procedures performed by dermatologists include:
- Cryosurgery: With utmost precision, cryosurgery employs intense cold, usually liquid nitrogen, to freeze and destroy abnormal skin cells. It treats acne, scars, growths, and certain skin cancers.
- Electrosurgery: This intricate process involves harnessing a high-frequency electric current to cut through or obliterate tissue. Electrosurgery destroys abnormal skin growths such as skin tags, warts, and certain skin cancers.
- Mohs surgery precisely removes high-risk skin cancer while preserving healthy tissue, ensuring complete tumor removal and high cure rates through microscopic examination and layer-by-layer excision.
- Laser surgery uses special light beams for diverse procedures, such as tumor treatment, skin condition therapy, and warts, moles, tattoos, birthmarks, acne, scars, wrinkles, and hair removal.
- Excision surgery uses a sharp knife or a scalpel to cut and remove tissue, followed by appropriate closures. The removal of skin cancer is a common reason for this surgery.
- Dermabrasion: An intricate treatment, dermabrasion rejuvenates the skin, erasing subtle wrinkles and reducing scars. A skilled surgeon employs a swift, rotating tool to peel the skin's top layer delicately.
- Vein treatment: Dermatologists treat damaged veins using sclerotherapy or laser treatments after a thorough evaluation.
- Mole removal is the partial or total elimination of a mole from the body, with further examination to check for cancer or other skin diseases.
So, the next time you visit a skin doctor near you, get ready for healthier and happier skin with many options available at these specialists!
How to take care of your skin?
Knowing your skin type is vital for choosing the right products and maintaining healthy skin. Dermatologists near you can help you determine your skin type and guide you on what products to use and avoid. Here are some key skincare tips to keep your skin in great shape:
- Apply sunscreen daily—Using sunscreen every day protects your skin from UV rays, which cause sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer. Choose a broad-spectrum sunblock with a minimum SPF of 30. Opt for a moisturizer with sufficient SPF for added convenience, but remember to reapply it throughout the day for continuous protection.
- Avoid tanning beds - Tanning beds expose your skin to harmful UV rays, increasing the risk of skin cancer. Instead, use self-tanning products for a safe, sun-kissed glow without endangering your skin.
- Keep your skincare routine simple—A minimalist approach often works best when caring for your skin. Using too many products, especially those containing anti-aging ingredients, can be irritating. Stick to the basics: a gentle cleanser, sunscreen, and moisturizer. Establish a consistent morning and evening routine that suits your skin's needs.
- Protect your lips—Wear a lip balm or lipstick with SPF when outdoors. Apply a moisturizing product like petroleum jelly to restore hydration for dry or chapped lips.
- Avoid touching your face - Touching your face can transfer dirt, bacteria, and oil, leading to breakouts. Resist the urge to pick at the pimples to prevent scars and further irritation.
Caring for your skin is essential, as it’s your body’s largest organ. If you have questions about your skin type or need advice on your skincare routine, consult a dermatologist near you for personalized guidance.
What does a pediatric dermatologist do?
A pediatric dermatologist is a healthcare practitioner specializing in treating children's skin, nails, and hair. They treat children as young as infants to as old as teenagers. If your child suffers from acne or other skin issues, you should visit a pediatric dermatologist near you. Pediatric dermatologists are also trained to treat ailments as severe as skin cancer.
Children can suffer from skin conditions or issues that differ from those of adults. Pediatricians are trained to spot such abnormalities and will recommend that you visit a pediatric dermatologist if necessary.
Pediatric dermatologists work at hospitals and clinics. They treat skin conditions such as eczema, birthmarks, dermatitis, vitiligo, allergic reactions, and psoriasis. They remove skin growth, such as moles, warts, and cysts. They also conduct laser treatments, treat skin cancer, and perform skin biopsies.
A pediatric dermatologist may prescribe medication or draw long-term treatment programs for chronic issues.
A pediatric dermatologist is required to graduate from osteopathic medical school and complete three years of residency in dermatology or two years of pediatric residency. They need to finish a one-year fellowship in pediatric dermatology. These healthcare practitioners will get a certificate in general dermatology from the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology or the American Board of Dermatology. The same boards can also certify them in pediatric dermatology.
Reasons to visit a pediatric dermatologist near you
Pediatric dermatologists even treat minor skin issues such as rashes, burns, irritation, or other problems that are at the surface level.
Some of the common issues pediatric dermatologists treat are scars, vitiligo, acne, skin cancer, skin infections, eczema, alopecia, rashes, allergic reactions, warts, scars, keratosis, hives, mastocytosis, birthmarks, hives, molluscum, psoriasis, pilomatrixoma.
How can you find the best dermatologists in Glenview, IL?
Are you facing issues concerning your skin and hair? Are you in search of the best dermatologists in Glenview, Illinois? If so, Zocdoc is here to your rescue! To find the best skin doctor near you quickly, you need to create a free account on Zocdoc and search for the specialist based on your condition, specialty, location, or even your insurance plan.
Zocdoc's comprehensive database will list top-rated specialists matching your criteria. Each listed provider has a detailed profile with their qualifications, accreditations, affiliations, awards, areas of expertise, experience, and licensure. You can also filter these profiles by choosing their gender, languages they speak, hospital affiliations, and whether or not they treat children (search for pediatric dermatologist near me).
If your insurance plan isn’t listed on Zocdoc, you can upload a photo of your medical insurance card. This feature is available for medical insurance and does not include vision or dental plans. Zocdoc will scan the card image and identify your likely plan. If you experience difficulties uploading your card, Zocdoc’s dedicated service team can assist you.
You can also access verified ratings and reviews from prior patients, making it easier to identify the right dermatologist. Once you finalize your doctor, you can book an appointment with them based on their availability. If you have any questions during the process, you can contact the Zocdoc patient help center.
Zocdoc also lets you book video appointments before your in-person visits. To do so, look for a purple video icon on the doctor's profile or filter the video appointment selection.
All bookings made on Zocdoc are easy, free, and secure!
Skin cancer statistics for Illinois and the U.S.
Skin cancer is one of the most widespread forms of skin cancer. According to data synthesized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 77,230 new cases of skin melanomas were reported in the United States in 2020. This implies that for every 100,000 people, 20 new melanoma cases were seen in the U.S.
The CDC's data also showed that there were 3,048 new reports of melanoma in Illinois in 2020. The age-adjusted rate of new melanoma cases was 20 per 100,000 population. It led to 316 deaths in the state, implying a death rate of 2 per 100,000 people. Melanoma was more prevalent in men, with 1,701 new cases in 2020, compared to women, with 1,347.
Sources
DermNet
American Academy of Dermatology Association[1]
American Academy of Dermatology Association[2]
WebMD[1]
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Skin Cancer Foundation[1]
Skin Cancer Foundation[2]
Harvard Health Publishing
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Brigham and Women's Hospital
