The term “specialist in dermatology and venereology” refers to specialists in skin and sexually transmitted diseases. Although these are different fields, they are closely related: Venereology (the study of sexually transmitted diseases) is not considered a separate branch of medicine.
Dermatology and Venereology as a Specialty Training Program
The training program for a licensed physician to become a specialist in dermatology and venereology lasts five years.
The specialty certification in dermatology and venereology covers two distinct areas.
Venereology is the study of sexually transmitted diseases, while dermatology deals with skin diseases. These specialists often focus on only one of these two areas.
Dermatology – Focus on the Skin
Dermatology deals with diseases of the skin and mucous membranes. This includes the so-called appendages—that is, hair, nails, and glands.
Specialists in this field treat benign and malignant tumors such as:
- warts
- Moles
- Skin cancer and
- Malignant melanoma
Dermatologists also treat the following conditions:
- Allergic skin reactions
- Psoriasis
- Hives and
- Shingles
Shingles usually causes severe pain and a rash with blisters @ ryanking999 /AdobeStock
Another area is aesthetic dermatology, which deals with topics such as facelifts and wrinkle fillers. In this context, dermatologists do overlap with the field of plastic surgery.
A facelift is a surgical procedure to tighten the skin of the face, neck, and/or forehead @ Andrey Popov /AdobeStock
Dermatologists also treat autoimmune skin diseases.
These include:
- Collagenoses (scleroderma and dermatomyositis)
- Bullous pemphigoid or
- bullous pemphigoid
Dermatologists have expertise in diagnostic procedures as well as in pre- and post-treatment care related to these conditions.
Venereology—The Study of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Through venereology, the specialist in skin and sexually transmitted diseases expands their range of services.
Venereology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.
These can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi. However, they are almost always transmitted through the skin, which is why venereology is a branch of dermatology.
The most common diseases are:
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- Pubic lice
- Atopic dermatitis
- Acne
- Psoriasis
- Vitiligo and
- Allergies
Range of therapeutic services in the field of skin and sexually transmitted diseases
The range of therapeutic services in dermatology and venereology includes:
- Allergology
- Balneotherapy
- Balneophototherapy
- Treatment of chronic skin conditions (atopic dermatitis, psoriasis)
- Dermatohistology / direct immunofluorescence
- Treatment of dermatoses
- Skin cancer treatment (melanoma, lymphoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma)
- Treatment of hyperhidrosis (iontophoresis, excisions, suction curettage),
- Cryotherapy (freezing)
- Laser therapy for psoriasis
- Treatment of HIV infections
Laser therapy is a modern form of light therapy used to treat psoriasis @ SNAB /AdobeStockThese services are also included:
- Vitiligo
- Atopic dermatitis therapy
- Surgical therapy
- Photodynamic therapy
- PUVA (for the treatment of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and vitiligo)
- Scleroderma
- Treatment of Disruptive Skin Lesions
- Allergic vasculitis
- Screening for melanoma
