Dermatologists diagnose and treat skin conditions like skin tags or atypical moles, hair loss, and nail diseases. To become a dermatologist you have to be medically qualified just like any other doctor, and then train in general medicine. A dermatologist will then work, research and training in a specialist area, developing expertise in a dermatological sub-specialty. The whole process takes about 15 years.
Dermatologists treat over 3,000 skin diseases, including acne, psoriasis, and skin cancers, plus a huge variety of nail and hair conditions.
As well as prescribing topical and oral treatments, dermatologists are trained to carry out skin surgery, laser treatments, and more. With such expertise dermatologists are the best people to diagnose and treat your medical condition.
Skin conditions
Common reasons for referral to a dermatologist include eczema, psoriasis, and severe acne, acne scars. But the skin is a complex organ and there are in fact over 3,000 skin diseases, with about 20 of them accounting for the vast majority of dermatologists’ workload. In recent years skin cancers have increasingly been added to this workload, due in part to holidays abroad and the erroneous belief that tanned skin is healthy. There are also many underlying systemic diseases that manifest as skin rashes.
Nail conditions
Fungal infections are a very common nail condition treated by dermatologists. Beyond infections, a dermatologist can also diagnose a range of abnormal growths within the nail. Some of these nail growths can be benign but may also be viral warts, fibroid tumors, or malignant growths. Symptoms and signs of nail conditions can include discoloration, scaling, or the nail ‘lifting’ so it is no longer completely attached.
Hair conditions
A dermatologist is the best person to diagnose and provide hair loss treatments, which can be the result of a wide variety of conditions. These include anemia, androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, male pattern baldness, hair follicles, female pattern, and many different autoimmune diseases, thyroid disorders, traction, and baldness. Female hair loss can also occur as a result of polycystic ovary syndrome, after pregnancy and during menopause.
What can a dermatologist diagnose?
Many scalps, hair, and nail conditions can be diagnosed by a thorough physical examination. The consultant will also review your medical history, ask about the symptoms, and examine the affected area.
In some cases, certain tests such as dermoscopy, a blood test, a skin swab, or skin biopsy may be necessary for diagnosis, or a trichometry or trichoscopy with video dermatoscopy.
You should seek medical advice when you first notice a medical condition. Consult your GP first for common problems such as mild acne, rosacea, and minor rashes.
They may refer you to a dermatologist near if specialist diagnosis and treatment is required. Seeking a consultation early will help reduce the potential risks and complications that may arise due to the dermatological condition.
I am a consultant dermatologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, a big teaching medical team in hospital in central London.
While I cover general dermatology including acne, psoriasis, and eczema, my areas of particular interest are hair and nail disorders, skin cancers, and complex skin diseases.
I am one of the few London dermatologists in the UK who specialize in hair loss. Dr. Anastasia Therianou is a hair loss expert and mole, problem expert. To arrange a consultation book an appointment with me in my dermatology clinic in Harley Street.
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