Dermatology facts for kids
Dermatology is a special part of medicine that focuses on your skin, hair, and nails. It also looks after your sweat glands and oil glands.
Doctors who work in this field are called dermatologists. They are experts at finding and treating problems with your skin, hair, and nails. This includes everything from acne and rashes to more serious conditions.
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What Dermatologists Do
Cosmetic Dermatology
Some dermatologists specialize in making skin look its best. This is called cosmetic dermatology. They use different methods to improve skin's appearance.
These doctors can use treatments like special injections or lasers. They help with things like wrinkles, scars, or uneven skin tone. Many cosmetic procedures are not major surgeries.
Dermatopathology
Dermatopathology is a field that combines dermatology with pathology. Pathology is the study of diseases. A dermatopathologist is a doctor who looks at skin samples under a microscope.
They help figure out what kind of skin problem someone has. This is very important for diagnosing skin diseases and conditions. These doctors often train for an extra year to become experts in this area.
Immunodermatology
This field focuses on skin diseases caused by the body's immune system. Sometimes, the immune system can mistakenly attack healthy skin.
Specialists in immunodermatology treat conditions like lupus or pemphigus. These are diseases where the immune system causes skin problems. These doctors often have special labs to study immune reactions in the skin.
Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery is a very precise way to remove certain skin cancers. It was developed in the 1930s by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs. This method helps doctors remove all the cancer while saving as much healthy skin as possible.
During Mohs surgery, the doctor acts as both the surgeon and the pathologist. They remove a small layer of skin and check it under a microscope right away. If cancer cells are still there, they remove another small layer. This continues until all cancer cells are gone. This special technique makes sure the cancer is completely removed.
Pediatric Dermatology
Pediatric dermatology is all about treating skin conditions in children. This includes babies, toddlers, and teenagers. Children's skin can be different from adult skin.
These specialists understand the unique needs of young patients. They treat everything from eczema and birthmarks to rare skin conditions that children are born with. They also know how to make kids feel comfortable during treatment.
Teledermatology
Teledermatology uses technology to help people get skin care from a distance. It's like having a virtual doctor's visit for your skin. Patients can send photos or videos of their skin condition.
A dermatologist can then look at these images and give advice or a diagnosis. This can be very helpful for people who live far from a dermatologist. It can also reduce wait times for appointments. Teledermatology helps share knowledge and get second opinions quickly.
Images for kids
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Facial cleansing pores in Meditec at ITESM CCM(2012)
See also
In Spanish: Dermatología para niños
