The skin problems such as acne, warts, rashes, skin cancer, etc. are list below for you to learn more about them; to understand more about those skin problems and also find out what you can do about them.

 

Dermatology is the science that is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin, hair and nails. A dermatologist is the medical expert you should consult if you have any significant problem with your skin.

How many people get skin disease?
The skin is the largest and most visible organ of the body. It reflects the health of the body and acts as a barrier against injury and bacteria. Unfortunately, at one time or another, nearly everyone has some type of skin disease - infants, children, teenagers, adults and the elderly. One in six (15%) of all visits to the family doctor (GP) involve a skin problem.

What are the most common skin disorders?

Common skin diseases include:

•	Skin cancer
•	Warts
•	Fungal infections
•	Dermatitis
•	Psoriasis - a skin disorder
•	Acne affects every teenager to one degree or another.
•	Hand dermatitis, resulting from external contact with detergents and household chemicals, affects most women with young families.
•	One in six of all children develop atopic eczema
•	One in five persons suffers from cold sores (herpes simplex).

What do dermatologists do?
Trained dermatologists usually combine several activities -seeing patients in public hospital clinics and/or in private practices, acting as consultants to other specialists, teaching, and delving into clinical or basic research.

Dermatologists must have expertise in basic sciences including microbiology, pathology, biochemistry, physics, physiology, and endocrinology. They must be familiar with all the other medical specialties because of their consultant work and because skin diseases are often associated with internal conditions.

Dermatologists perform skin surgery in many situations:

1.	To prevent or provide early control of disease, e.g. remove skin cancer.
2.	To improve the skin's appearance by removing growths, discolorations, or damage caused by ageing, sunlight or disease.
3.	To establish a definite diagnosis (biopsy).

Is the work of dermatologists changing?
Dermatology is constantly adapting itself to meet the changing medical challenges of our society. New drugs may cause unusual side effects; pesticides, industrial compounds and cosmetics continually pose new dermatological problems. More leisure time and outdoor work has increased the exposure to the sun and other hazards which can cause skin disease.

Sun protection
Arrange to see a dermatologist as soon as possible when symptoms of skin disease appear. Expert diagnosis, rapid cure, or good management means decreased cost and less suffering.

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Do I Need a Dermatologist? Useful information on how to pick a dermatologist.

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