DERMATOLOGY

The study of a vast field of knowledge about the physiology and pathology of the skin and hair, nails, sweat glands, and oil glands. Robert Willan in England (1757–1812) was the first to publish and classify information about skin disease, which was further explored by Jean-Louis Alibert (1768–1837) in Paris, who considered each dermatosis as a specific branch of dermatology. But it was not until the discovery of the microscope that dermatologists were able to see the skin in all its structural and cellular detail. At the same time, the infant science of bacteriology revealed the secrets of infectious diseases such as impetigo and boils. By 1906 the spirochete causing syphilis had been isolated, and in 1914 pellagra was shown to be a simple nutritional deficiency, although the missing vitamin (nicotinic acid) was not identified until the 1930s.

Today, the field of dermatology includes the investigation of disease (such as examining skin scrapings under a microscope), diagnosis, and treatment, ranging from application of creams and ointments to dermabrasion, liposuction, surgical excision, to laser surgery. In fact, dermatologists perform a wide variety of surgeries in the treatment of skin diseases, from sophisticated plastic surgical excisions to Mohs’ technique for histo-logical tracking of the furthest reaches of skin cancer. The newest surgical techniques include liposuction for skin contour control, and the use of lasers for treating a variety of skin growths and marks, including tattoos and port-wine stains.

DEFINITION :

Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with theskin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails.