Dermatology is the study of disorders of the skin. A dermatologist is a physician who diagnoses and treats diseases of the skin. This specialist also diagnoses and treats problems of the skin, mouth, external genitalia, and some sexually transmitted diseases. A dermatologist is knowledgeable regarding skin cancers, moles, tumors of the skin, allergic reactions to chemicals or other substances, and changes of the skin associated with aging.
Dermatologists also treat cosmetic disorders of the skin such as hair loss and scars, internal disorders and diseases that affect the skin, and are qualified to perform standard surgical techniques used in the field of dermatology.
Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are moles / warts, tattoo removal, acne scarring, Melanoma, Skin Cancer, skin rash, psoriasis, lice, lesions, eczema, Rosacea, Scabies, cysts, Boil, Baldness, varicose veins, Athlete's foot, Genital wart, pemphigus, and Spider veins.
Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including facial peels, burn care, laser surgery, liposuction, photodynamic therapy (PDT), sclerotherapy, cryosurgery, blepharoplasty, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, Mohs' micrographic surgery, electrosurgery, skin cancer surgery, UVB PHOTOTHERAPY, and minimally-invasive facelift surgery (S-lift).
To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including culture, biopsy, x-ray, patch test, Physical examination, Wood's light, and dermatoscopic exam.
Doctor density varies by specialty and location. The United States has 8,924 practicing dermatologists. Broken out by state, dermatology doctor density in Alabama is 93, in Alaska is 6, in Arizona is 175, in Arkansas is 46, in California is 1,291, in Colorado is 145, in Connecticut is 148, in Delaware is 22, in District of Columbia is 73, in Florida is 726, in Georgia is 261, in Hawaii is 44, in Idaho is 32, in Illinois is 349, in Indiana is 130, in Iowa is 78, in Kansas is 61, in Kentucky is 99, in Louisiana is 129, in Maine is 26, in Maryland is 218, in Massachusetts is 399, in Michigan is 293, in Minnesota is 171, in Mississippi is 43, in Missouri is 193, in Montana is 28, in Nebraska is 25, in Nevada is 44, in New Hampshire is 41, in New Jersey is 292, in New Mexico is 47, in New York is 834, in North Carolina is 293, in North Dakota is 21, in Ohio is 332, in Oklahoma is 64, in Oregon is 111, in Pennsylvania is 412, in Rhode Island is 53, in South Carolina is 108, in South Dakota is 22, in Tennessee is 141, in Texas is 563, in Utah is 77, in Vermont is 18, in Virginia is 207, in Washington is 196, in West Virginia is 38, in Wisconsin is 148, and in Wyoming is 5.
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