Overview
Dermatology is the branch of medicine that deals with conditions of the skin, hair, nails, and related tissues. Because the skin is the body’s largest organ, skin problems can affect comfort, appearance, sleep, daily activities, and overall health. Dermatologists are trained to identify both common conditions and serious diseases that may first appear on the skin.
Key Symptoms
People may see a rash, itching, dryness, flaking, redness, swelling, acne-like bumps, blisters, or changes in skin color. Other symptoms include sores that do not heal, bleeding spots, unusual moles, nail thickening or discoloration, and hair thinning or patchy hair loss. Some skin conditions are painful, while others mainly cause discomfort or cosmetic concerns.
Causes and Risk Factors
Skin conditions can be caused by inflammation, allergies, infections, autoimmune disease, genetics, environmental exposures, and sun damage. Risk factors vary by condition and may include family history, sensitive skin, certain jobs or chemicals, humid or crowded living conditions, and weakened immunity. Sunburns and long-term ultraviolet exposure can raise the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging.
Who Is Affected
Dermatologic conditions affect people of all ages, skin tones, and regions of the world. Some problems are more common at certain ages, such as eczema in childhood or skin cancers in older adults, but exceptions are common. Skin diseases can look different on darker and lighter skin, which may affect how quickly they are recognized.
Prevention
Prevention depends on the condition but often includes gentle skin care, avoiding known irritants, protecting skin from excess sun, and limiting scratching or picking. Wearing protective clothing, using shade, and avoiding tanning devices can help reduce ultraviolet damage. Good hygiene, early care of cuts, and managing chronic conditions may also lower the chance of some infections and complications.
Diagnosis and Tests
A dermatologist usually starts with questions about symptoms, timing, triggers, medicines, family history, and past skin problems, followed by a skin, hair, or nail examination. Diagnosis may involve dermoscopy, skin scrapings, cultures, allergy testing, blood tests, or a skin biopsy. Photographs or follow-up visits may help track changes over time.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on the cause and may include skin-care measures, topical medicines, light-based therapies, procedures, or systemic medicines prescribed by a clinician. Some conditions need short-term treatment, while others need long-term monitoring and adjustment. It is important to use medicines exactly as directed and to tell a healthcare professional if symptoms worsen or side effects appear.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care if a rash is severe, widespread, painful, infected-looking, keeps coming back, or does not improve. A new or changing mole, a sore that does not heal, sudden hair loss, painful blisters, or nail changes with pain or swelling should also be checked. Skin symptoms with fever, joint pain, or mouth sores may point to a condition affecting more than the skin.
When It May Be an Emergency
Get urgent medical help for trouble breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, or a rapidly spreading rash after a medicine, food, or insect sting. Emergency care is also needed for severe burns, skin peeling with fever, rapidly spreading redness with severe pain, or signs of a serious infection such as confusion or fainting. A painful rash near the eye, sudden widespread blisters, or a possible severe drug reaction also needs prompt assessment.