For most people, a visit to a doctor is spurred by a defined medical condition – a bacterial infection, a virus, a broken bone, or something similar. However, those are only the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to conditions that can affect the human body. The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it can be subject to a wide range of threats and dangerous conditions. For all those situations, patients can find help and healing through dermatology treatments in Sterling Heights.
What Is Dermatology?
A clinic offering dermatology in Grosse Pointe provides access to healing from conditions that affect the skin, but also the hair and nails. Because the skin is an organ, anything that affects it can also affect the rest of the body. Similarly, conditions that affect the body can also cause problems in the skin.
For instance, systemic acne is often the result of a bacterial infection that must be treated with antibiotics and specialty medications. As another example, skin discoloration can lead to a diagnosis of diabetes or another underlying condition.
What Do Dermatologists Do?
Visiting a dermatologist can give patients access to a wide range of treatment options. The most common reason to visit a dermatologist is for a medical diagnosis. Patients with acne, those struggling with rosacea, and conditions such as psoriasis and eczema can find treatments to help them heal.
However, dermatologists can do more than diagnose conditions and prescribe medications. Many dermatologists perform surgical procedures. Some of these are minor, such as removing warts or conducting a skin biopsy. However, other procedures are much more in-depth, such as the removal of skin cancer. Note that this varies from practice to practice, and not all dermatology clinics offer extensive surgical capabilities.
Finally, many dermatologists can offer cosmetic treatments, too. For instance, acne can leave deep, long-lasting scars that not only mar the skin but also detract from self-confidence. The right dermatological office can provide laser therapy and micro-needling to reduce or even eliminate acne scars. Chemical peels, laser hair removal, weight loss solutions, and facial fillers are also usually offered by dermatologists.
Treatment Options to Know
When it comes to finding the right option for dermatology, patients should have some understanding of the more commonly offered procedures. These can include the following:
- Surgical Excision – One of the more commonly sought out treatments from clinics providing dermatology in Grosse Pointe is excision. Essentially, this is “removal” surgery and can be performed on a wide range of things, from skin tags and moles to sunspots and lesions. In most cases, excision is an outpatient procedure that requires only a local anesthetic and very little time to complete. It can be done to remove potentially dangerous moles and lesions that might harbor bacteria, but also for cosmetic reasons.
- Cryotherapy – Conducted with liquid nitrogen, cryotherapy is a proven solution for treating a wide range of conditions, such as warts and even tumors. Essentially, these areas are frozen and then removed, eliminating the need for surgery or the use of anesthetic. The cold temperatures are strictly controlled to prevent discomfort to the patient, and cryotherapy is usually successful.
- Laser Therapy – Light is a powerful force – it’s the basis for all life on earth. It can also be used to treat a very wide range of conditions, from acne scars to unwanted hair, and even wrinkles and fine lines. Laser therapy uses powerful, focused beams of light to remove sunspots, warts, blemishes, scar tissue, and much more. It can even be used to remove unwanted tattoos. Other forms of light therapy also exist. For instance, alternating red and blue light can be used to treat acne scars.
- Vein Treatments – Sclerotherapy is used to treat varicose and spider veins, which can cause pain and discomfort, as well as marring the skin. Specific injections are given that cause these damaged veins to dissolve, becoming less and less visible over time.
- Chemical Peels – The skin bears the brunt of exposure to sunlight, wind, heat, and cold. That can result in damage that ages the appearance, thickens the skin, and leads to other challenges. Chemical peels work to remove the outer, damaged layer of skin, revealing fresh, healthy, younger layers beneath. Chemical peels are often used to treat the signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
- Treating Actinic Keratoses – Lesions caused by years of exposure to sunlight, actinic keratoses can affect the face, hands, arms, scalp, and other areas regularly exposed to sunlight. They are also the earliest sign of skin cancer and should be treated immediately. Treating actinic keratoses can include several different options, including chemical peels, NSAID therapy, topical chemotherapy, cryosurgery, and topical immunotherapy.
- Nail Fungus Treatments – Onychomycosis, or nail fungal infections, commonly affect the toenails, but can also affect the fingernails. Up to 40% of older adults suffer from this condition, although many are unaware of it. Treating nail fungus usually involves topical antifungal creams or lacquers, but if the nail is particularly thick, it can be hard for these to penetrate to the nail bed beneath. In this case, oral medications may be prescribed. Laser treatment can also be effective in fighting these infections.
Who Should Seek Dermatology in Sterling Heights?
While many patients understand that their condition is best treated by a dermatologist, others may be unaware of the signs that they should make an appointment. Those suffering from the following symptoms should consider visiting a dermatologist:
- Problematic acne that cannot be controlled with over-the-counter medications
- Moles that change shape or color
- Those struggling with the signs of aging
- Patients with varicose or spider veins
- Those struggling with skin blemishes and discoloration
- Patients with eczema or psoriasis
With the right treatment, it is possible to find the help and healing patients need and deserve. The right dermatology office will provide access to advice, guidance, and compassionate care.