The Importance of the Dermatologist in Skin Disorders
Dermatology (from the ”Greek language” derma: "skin") is the medical specialty in charge of the study of the skin, its structure, function, and diseases.
Scientific Dermatology was born out of the chaos and confusion caused by disorderly descriptions and interpretations, in 1776 when Joseph Jakob Plenck of Vienna conceived the idea of classifying skin diseases according to elemental injuries.
However, the origin of Dermatology is as old as that of medicine itself, and much of the Ebers papyrus (which can be considered the oldest medical text that has been found, since it dates back 3,500 years), is dedicated to the description and treatment of skin conditions and cosmetic problems.
Progressively, knowledge accumulates, and it is on this number of descriptions that the methodical and orderly classification of Plenck, Antoine Charles Lorry (1777) and Robert Willan (1808), grouping them with a predominantly morphological criterion, laid the foundations of the specialty.
It is evident that since man inhabits the planet he has been provided with that envelope that is the skin. Whatever changes the future may bring us in the physical attributes of the human being, it is highly probable that we will always remain covered by some form of skin. Without a doubt, this skin will still be subject to the most varied pathological alterations of external and internal causes.
The skin is one of the largest organs in the body, representing 6% of the total weight, and is considered the quintessential adaptation organ, fulfilling functions of protection, heat regulation, sensitivity, and secretion.
The consultant dermatologist is the professional indicated to treat everything related to diseases of the skin, hair, and nails, such as:
- Acne
- Melasma
- Aging prevention
- Facial wrinkle correction
- Electrocoagulation of lesions such as actinic and seborrheic keratoses
- Child care in diseases common to its age groups such as atopic dermatitis and prurigo (papular lesions caused by insect bites), impetigo, and molluscum contagiosum
- Chronic diseases and their new treatments, such as psoriasis, lichen planes, and vitiligo
- Surgical requirements of some pathologies or conditions
Preventively, perhaps most importantly, one of the priority fields in Dermatology is counseling the population about care to avoid melanoma and skin cancer. A study in medical science, has found that the incidence of melanoma has increased 50% in the last decade. This prevention is related not only to the correct use of sunscreen but also to the time and hours of exposure to the sun. It is a complex change of habits, which implies a sustained effort of public and private institutions.
On the other hand, early diagnosis should be promoted since the early detection of suspicious lesions greatly favors the effectiveness and simplicity of its treatment. It is, therefore, advisable to visit the dermatologist once a year to assess the condition of the skin, hair, and nails; including observation of moles, local redness and irritation, lumps, fleshes, calluses, etc.
All skins are different, although they appear to have the same characteristics, and require individual treatment that the Dermatologist, through his specialization and experience, is able to offer.
Dermatology has entered, then, what we could call the biological era; Great advances are made daily in the study and investigation of the intimate mechanism of pathological processes; and the classical morphology, described in a brilliant and neat form, seems to constitute an outdated stage.
New sciences with new working methods make their daily impact on ours and contribute to elucidating innumerable unknowns; Thus, the study of physiology, pathophysiology, biochemistry, histochemistry, enzymology, virology, etc., applied to the skin, is continuously revolutionizing our knowledge.