Pediatric Dermatology
By: Ashly Rodriguez Hernandez
When we think about dermatology, we often assume teenagers and elderly folks to be the primary patient(s) at your local clinic but it can also be children who have to visit a dermatologist. Infants and young children can come in for a long-range of reasons.
Birthmarks can be present in children and come in many different forms, such as vascular birthmarks which are present if blood vessels in a particular area of your skin don’t form the way they should. For example, there may be too many blood vessels clustered in one area or the blood vessels may be wider than they should be. Pigmented birthmarks occur when there’s an overabundance of pigment cells in one area. Pigment cells are what give your skin its natural color.
Warts are also commonly seen at a dermatology clinic and consist of more than 100 different types of warts! Common warts are usually around nails and the back of hands; usually have a rough surface; grayish-yellow or brown in color. Eczema and psoriasis (scaly, patchy areas on the skin) are some conditions to name a few. This type of dermatologist treats patients from birth to adolescence.
Their education consists of earning a bachelor’s degree, four years of medical school, one year of internship, three years of dermatology residency OR two years of pediatrics residency and three years of dermatology residency, and one year of pediatric dermatology fellowship. Upon completion of training, pediatric dermatologists become a subspecialty board certified in Pediatric Dermatology through the American Board of Dermatology.
It is important to have your young child visit the dermatologist as children might not be able to express what is bothering them or answer medical questions. These professionals are trained to notice normal growth and development so they can address your concerns of your child confidently. They can also provide these services to your child: Medical/prescription treatment for a wide variety of conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails. Minor surgical procedures, including skin biopsies, surgical removal of skin lesions (e.g., cysts, warts), and laser treatment of vascular birthmark. They will make sure your child is comfortable and ready for these treatments.
All About Skin
By: Noor Malhi
The skin plays such an essential role in protecting us from external bacteria. The human skin is the largest organ in our bodies that forms a barrier, protecting our internal organs from external unnecessities. The skin consists of 3 layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous layer (hypodermis). These three layers play a vital role in protecting the human body. Besides protecting the human body from external bacteria, the skin has other functions, such as maintaining body temperature and stimuli perception. All three layers work together to provide the basic functions to the body. Since skin is such a vast and vital organ of the human body, it is crucial to have a doctor specifically for the skin.
Doctors meant specifically for treating the skin are called dermatologists. Dermatologists specialize in treating various skin diseases and issues, like albinism, acne, cicatrix, and cancerous lesions. Standard dermatology procedures include the scratch test and the intradermal skin test. The scratch test is where the human skin is scratched by an instrument like a laser pen; by scratching, the dermatologists can determine any allergies or conditions in the skin. Another common test, known as the intradermal skin test, is where a small amount of allergen is injected into the human skin to detect any allergies. Both skin tests are widely used in today’s world by dermatologists to detect any abnormal conditions or allergies in the skin. Although getting skin allergies or diseases is uncommon, it is still imperative to take good care of the skin to avoid such issues. One of the most common ways to prevent diseases is to wear sunscreen; the importance of sunscreens cannot be emphasized enough. Many dermatologists worldwide stress the fact that wearing sunscreen is vital to prevent the skin from different allergies and conditions. Another critical factor is to take into consideration is what products people use on their skin. Many skin care products include harsh chemicals and ingredients that may cause allergies on the skin. Therefore, it is essential to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist and learn about your skin type and what best suits your skin.
WORK CITED:
Pediatric Dermatology:
- https://aadermatology.com/what-is-a-pediatric-dermatologist/
- https://study.com/articles/Become_a_Pediatric_Dermatologist_Education_and_Career_Roadmap.html
- https://healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/pediatric-specialists/Pages/What-is-a-Pediatric-Dermatologist.aspx
- https://www.healthline.com/health/birthmark#types
- https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/warts-children
All About Skin:
Stanhope, Linda, and Kimberly Turnbull. Introduction To Medical Terminology. 1st ed., 2017, pp. 120-135.
Medical Wonders 