Consumer Guide 2020
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How to...
Choose a qualified provider for dermatologic procedures
D
ermatologists treat more than 3,000 conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails. Skin diseases are especially common, affecting one in four Americans each year. Dermatologists treat a wide variety of skin conditions from deadly skin cancers to warts. Issues dermatologists see may include chronic disease caused by problems with your immune system, allergic reactions to everyday substances, infections caused by bacteria or a virus, and more. Dermatologists also help patients who want to help with cosmetic concerns, including addressing issues with their aging skin, treating wounds caused by surgery to remove a skin cancer, helping to diminish acne or other scars, or helping patients suffering diseases like AIDS restore a healthier appearance. Is skin disease serious? Many skin diseases involve serious health risks. Even if the condition is not life-threatening, it may reduce a person’s quality of life causing loss of sleep, poor self-image, serious depression, and lost productivity. Dermatologists understand the interaction between the skin and the body. What seems like a simple rash might be a sign of underlying disease. Many skin conditions come with related issues, known to physicians as comorbidities. For example: •Patients with severe acne are 46% more likely to have major depression •Eczema patients risk significant eye disease like glaucoma and cataracts •Diabetes patients are 50% more likely to also have psoriasis 26 | Consumer Guide
•AIDS patients can suffer significant loss of facial fat, making living with their disease challenging Even if you think your concern is “just cosmetic” seeking the advanced medical expertise of a dermatologist is a smart move. The American Academy of Dermatology supports physician-led care teams, and recognizes the important roles that physician assistants and nurse practitioners play when caring for patients under the direction of a board-certified dermatologist. Dermatologists have advanced knowledge of cosmetic treatments, the skin, and the underlying anatomy of nerves and muscles. This expertise helps them identify the best approach to avoid issues and, if they do happen, correct them quickly. And what you think is a cosmetic problem could be a medical one. For example, what looks like a long-lasting pimple could actually be skin cancer. Dermatologists can spot problems like this, which you may not even know you have. Who should see a dermatologist? Dermatologists treat patients of all ages, from newborns to people who are more than 100 years old. Anyone who has concerns about a condition involving the skin, hair, or nails should see a dermatologist. A dermatologist has many years of advanced training in correctly identifying conditions that affect the hair, skin, and nails. Correctly identifying the condition is crucial to determining the proper treatment. If you want excellent care, choose a board-certified dermatologist. American Academy of Dermatology Association
The Covington News | February 2020
