 The skin is the largest organ of the body, covering the entire body. As the outer protective covering of the body, it is exposed to the environment, making it vulnerable to growths, rashes, discoloration, cysts, burns, injuries, infections, and other disorders.
Dermatology is the study of skin diseases and conditions. A dermatologist
treats disorders relating to the skin, hair, and nails.
A dermatologist is a physician who has completed medical school, at least one
year of postdoctoral training and three or more years of intensive
residency training in dermatology.
After medical school, internship, and residency, a dermatologist is eligible
to take the board certification examination offered by the American Board of
Dermatology.
Other physicians and skin specialists may be involved in the prevention and treatment of skin disorders.
One Patient's Story
Destiny Harris of
Republic grew up spending every summer weekend at the Table Rock Lake with her
friends and family. She received so many compliments on her tan growing up that
she maintained her sun-kissed look as an adult by going to tanning salons, even
during the
winter.
"I was going to the tanning bed every day for about a year before I was
diagnosed with skin cancer. I didn't use any sunscreen, just baby oil. The
darker I could get, the better," Harris says.
Two years ago, she noticed the mole on the back of her leg began changing shape.
It grew larger, and had jagged edges.
"I watched it change shape and kind of ignored it. I didn't want to think that
this was happening to me," she says. "When I would shave my legs, I would knick
it and it would bleed. That was a major light-bulb moment that something wasn't
right. That's when I decided I needed to have it checked."
Click here
to read the complete story |