The skin is the largest human organ. Hence the Dermatologist, so the Dermatologist, one of the most sought-after doctors in our healthcare system.
What is a dermatologist?
A variety of diseases can affect the skin. Dermatology essentially comprises the areas of oncological dermatology (skin cancer), allergology, venereology (sexually transmitted diseases), and diseases of the mucous membranes and the skin appendages (hair, nails).
Of the Dermatologist Like every doctor in Germany, he is completing a medical degree with a subsequent license to practice medicine. This is followed by training as a specialist, so the student works for at least five years in a corresponding facility or clinic. A specialist examination finally passed by the medical association entitles the dermatologist to be qualified as a specialist in dermatology.
Treatments
Dermatologists can either be employed in clinics or open a practice themselves. Furthermore, dermatologists, including those in private practice, are entitled, under certain conditions, to carry out outpatient or inpatient operations, for example the surgical removal of suspicious moles or skin cancer operations including skin transplants.
Aesthetic dermatology can also be part of your area of responsibility, so there are numerous dermatologists who offer wrinkle injections, laser epilations or laser tattoo removal, as well as liposuction or surgical corrections of drooping eyelids.
Dermatologists who specialize in allergology can also carry out 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 sensibly during their summer vacation; hair analyzes for patients with hair loss are also possible, provided the doctor has the appropriate equipment and instruments.
Not all of these services can be billed through the statutory health insurances, and a dermatology is not automatically approved by the health insurance. It is advisable to call the dermatologist in order to obtain the desired information before the first visit or the first treatment.
One example of this is the so-called skin cancer screening, i.e. skin cancer screening. It is offered by many statutory health insurances, but many dermatologists only carry out the examination with a reflected light microscope in order to better assess birthmarks and moles. Photo documentation is also possible.
However, these aids are among those services that are not covered by most health insurance companies. This means that the supposedly free provision can also be charged. A good dermatologist will always inform and educate the patient about any 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 cancers is steadily increasing. Black skin cancer (melanoma) is fatal if left untreated. One of its main causes is extensive exposure to the sun, i.e. unprotected sunbathing and sunburns, even those that occurred years ago.
Therefore, the main focus of the oncological area of this specialty is on the prevention, treatment and the subsequent, multi-year follow-up of skin cancers. The dermatologist is also responsible for all fungal diseases of the skin and mucous membrane, for example he treats nail fungus, skin fungus or fungal infections in the genital area.
Other acute clinical pictures that the dermatologist examines and treats can also count as emergencies. Herpes zoster (shingles), the so-called erysipelas (wound rose) or acute allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock) must be treated immediately and, if left untreated, can cause serious damage to health. The dermatologist has a great responsibility for his patients.
Diagnosis & examination methods
Since the field of dermatology is diverse, the instruments and examination devices with which he works can hardly be listed in one sentence. As already mentioned above, there are microscopic examination methods, surgical aids such as scalpels and curling racks, as well as laser devices or devices for hair and nail analysis. Doctors also work closely with laboratory communities who do blood tests or analyze skin samples and test them for fungal diseases, allergies or skin cancer, etc.
What should the patient pay attention to?
Before the patient a Dermatologist visits, he should find out beforehand whether the doctor specializes in the symptoms of his illness. Since dermatology encompasses many individual areas, the most suitable dermatologist can usually be found quickly through a targeted search, possibly with the help of the health insurance company.
