The skin is the largest organ of the human body. Therefore, the dermatologist, or dermatologist, is one of the most sought-after doctors in our health care system.
What is a dermatologist?
The skin is the largest organ of the human body. Therefore, the dermatologist, or dermatologist, is one of the most sought-after doctors in our health care system. The skin can be affected by a wide variety of diseases. Dermatology essentially includes the areas of oncological dermatology (skin cancer), allergology, venereology (venereal diseases), furthermore, diseases of the mucous membranes and skin appendages (hair, nails) belong to the specialty. The dermatologist, like every physician in Germany, completes a medical degree with subsequent licensure. This is followed by training as a specialist, i.e. the student works for at least five years in a corresponding institution or clinic. A ultimately completed specialist examination at the medical association then entitles the dermatologist to the title of specialist in dermatology.
Treatments
Dermatologists can either be employed in clinics or open a practice themselves. Furthermore, dermatologists, including those in private practice, are authorized under certain conditions to perform outpatient or inpatient surgery, for example, the surgical removal of suspicious moles or skin cancer surgery, including skin transplants. Aesthetic dermatology may also fall within their scope of practice, for example, there are numerous dermatologists who offer wrinkle injections, laser epilation or tattoo removal using lasers, as well as liposuction or surgical correction of drooping eyelids. Furthermore, dermatologists with an allergy focus can perform hyposensitization, i.e. treat allergies in their practice. Dermatologists can determine the skin type at the request of patients who want to use the right sun protection during their summer vacation. Hair analyses for patients with hair loss are also possible, provided the doctor has the appropriate equipment and instruments. Not all of these services are billable through the statutory health insurances, nor is a dermatologist automatically approved by the health insurance. It is advisable to call the dermatologist to obtain the desired information before the first visit or treatment. An example of this is the so-called skin cancer screening, i.e. the skin cancer screening examination. It is offered by many statutory health insurers, but many dermatologists perform the examination exclusively with a reflected-light microscope in order to better assess moles and liver spots. Photo documentation is also possible. However, these aids are among the services that are not covered by most health insurance companies. Thus also the allegedly free precaution can become liable to pay the costs. A good dermatologist will always inform and educate the patient about possible costs before the examination. Basically, the specialty of oncological dermatology, i.e. the early detection and treatment of skin cancer, is one of the increasingly important areas, as the number of skin cancer cases is steadily increasing. Black skin cancer (melanoma) has a fatal course if left untreated. One of its main causes is extensive sun exposure, i.e. unprotected sunbathing and sunburns, even those that occurred years ago. Therefore, the main focus of the oncology section of this specialty is on the prevention, treatment and subsequent follow-up of skin cancers over several years. The dermatologist is also responsible for all fungal diseases of the skin and mucous membrane, for example, he treats nail fungi, skin fungi or fungal infections in the genital area. Other acute clinical pictures that the dermatologist examines and treats may also be considered emergencies. Herpes zoster (shingles), the so-called erysipelas (erysipelas) or acute allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock) must be treated immediately and can cause serious damage to health if left untreated. Thus, dermatologists also bear a great responsibility for their patients.
Diagnostic and examination methods
Since the field of dermatology is diverse, the instruments and examination devices with which he works can hardly be enumerated in one sentence. As mentioned above, there are microscopic examination methods, surgical tools such as scalpels and cuirretages, as well as laser devices or devices for hair and nail analysis.Doctors also work closely with laboratory communities that perform blood tests or analyze skin samples and test for fungal diseases, allergies or skin cancer, etc.
What should the patient look for?
Before seeing a dermatologist, the patient should first find out if the doctor specializes in the symptoms of their condition. Since dermatology includes many individual areas, the appropriate dermatologist can usually be found quickly through a targeted search, possibly with the help of the health insurance.
