Dermatology and Venereology - Medical specialists

"Specialist in dermatology and venereology" - this term refers to specialists for skin and venereal diseases. Although these are two different medical fields, they are grouped together: Venerology is not considered an independent field of medicine.

Dermatology focuses on diseases of the skin and mucous membranes. These include the so-called appendages - i.e. hair, nails and glands. The respective specialists deal with benign and malignant tumors such as warts and moles, skin cancer and malignant melanoma. The spectrum of dermatologists also includes allergic skin reactions, psoriasis, hives and shingles. Esthetic dermatology is another area of expertise, which deals with facelifts or wrinkle injections - in contrast to skin transplants after burns. Here, dermatologists definitely come into contact with the field of plastic surgery.

With the field of venereology, the specialist expands his range of services to include the diagnosis and therapy of venereal diseases - i.e. sexually transmitted infectious diseases. These can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi, but almost always via the skin, which is why venereology is also considered part of dermatology. The most common diseases here are syphilis, gonorrhoea and the pubic louse. HIV infections are also treated by dermatologists and venereologists.

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Dermatology and Venereology - Further information

Specialist in skin and venereal diseases/dermatology

The dermatologist is an expert in skin diseases and sexually transmitted diseases. Eczema, acne, psoriasis, vitiligo and allergies are the most common indications for dermatological treatment. Connective tissue diseases (e.g. scleroderma and dermatomyositis), Pemphigus vularis or bullous pemphigoid are autoimmune diseases of the skin that are part of the dermatological speciality. However, the most frequent types of therapy for skin diseases include operative removals of benign and malignant skin changes - malignant melanoma (skin cancer).

Dermatologists possess expertise in diagnostic procedures as well as disease-related pre- and post-diagnostic treatments. To become a specialist in dermatology, a physician must complete two years of postgraduate training in a specialised clinic.

Therapeutic range of services in dermatology

The therapeutic range of services of dermatology includes for the most part allergology, balneotherapy, balneophototherapy, the treatment of chronic skin disorders (e.g. eczema, psoriasis), dermatohistology/direct immunofluorescence, the treatment of dermatosis, skin cancer treatment (melanoma, lymphoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma), hyperhidrosis treatment (iontophoresis, excisions, suction curettage), cryotherapy (freezing), laser therapy for psoriasis, vitiligo and atopic eczema, surgical therapy, photodynamic therapy, PUVA (psoralen and UVA treatment) for the treatment of psoriasis, eczema and vitiligo, scleroderma, therapy for bothersome skin changes, allergic vasculitis, venereology/sexually transmitted diseases and screening for malignant melanoma.

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