Dermatology

What is dermatology?

Dermatology concerns the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions and problems with your hair and nails.

Your skin protects you from injuries and infections as well as performing vital functions like cooling your body through sweating. Skin is also the largest of your body's organs, covering an area of around 20 square feet. It has multiple nerve endings that allow you to evaluate temperature and give you your sense of touch.

As well as the many medical conditions that can affect your skin, the appearance of your skin, nails, and hair are valuable indicators of your general health.

What kinds of conditions come under dermatology?

Dermatology covers all conditions affecting your skin, hair, and nails. Some of the problems Scottsdale Private Physicians, LLC, sees most frequently include:

• Acne
• Rosacea and hyperpigmentation
• Athlete's foot
• Herpes
• Warts
• Head lice
• Impetigo
• Nail fungus
• Ringworm and scabies
• Eczema and dermatitis
• Psoriasis
• Rashes and poison ivy
• Skin allergies

These conditions range in severity, and some, like psoriasis, can be life-altering. However, one common problem in dermatology that's potentially life-threatening is skin cancer.

Why is skin cancer so important in dermatology?

Identifying and treating skin cancer is one of the primary concerns in dermatology. There are three main types of skin cancer:

• Basal cell carcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Malignant melanoma

Your skin cancer is most likely due to overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from either the sun or tanning beds. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas seldom go beyond your skin, but melanomas can be aggressive and readily spread to other organs and tissues.

Signs of skin cancer that require investigation are itching, bleeding lesions or moles that are changing shape or growing. If treated in time, you have an excellent chance of recovering from skin cancer, but delaying treatment could prove fatal.

What dermatology treatments might I need?

The dermatology treatment you require depends on the condition. For example, Scottsdale Private Physicians, LLC, might prescribe antifungal medication or creams for problems like nail fungus, ringworm, and athlete's foot.

Many skin conditions require topical treatments, but oral medication might also be necessary. If you have a suspicious mole or lesion, your doctor can examine it and, where necessary, take a biopsy (tissue sample) for analysis.

If you have precancerous lesions, both Dr. Bernstein and Dr Wechsler can perform cryosurgery (freezing the tissues). If you have a cancerous lesion, Dr. Bernstein can perform skin cancer excisions using a cosmetically sensitive technique.

For expert dermatology treatment, call Scottsdale Private Physicians, LLC, today or book an appointment online.