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Dermatology Library

D

Dandruff:

See: Hair Health

Dermabrasion:

A non-thermal resurfacing technique especially well-suited for deep defects of the skin such as acne scars, heavy wrinkles and the disfiguring effects of skin conditions like rosacea. The procedure involves the mechanical sanding of the upper layers of the skin and penetrates the skin deeper than microdermabrasion. With dermabrasion, a new layer of skin replaces the abraded skin during healing, resulting in a smoother appearance.

Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure that requires only local anesthesia and for a few days following the procedure, the severely "brush burned" feeling can be avoided by using semipermeable dressings, which let moisture and air reach the skin. The new skin that appears is pink at first, but gradually develops a normal appearance. Most patients heal within one to two weeks. It’s important for patients to remember to wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to protect the new pink skin.

Dermal fillers:

Soft tissue fillers are flexible substances that can be injected into the skin to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, plump lips, fill out hollow cheeks, improve scars, elevate deep folds, and repair various facial imperfections. The result is a smoother, more youthful appearance with minimal "downtime" and maximum safety.

Also see: Soft Tissue Augmentation

Dermatitis:

Inflammation of the skin

Dermatologic Surgery:

Deals with the diagnosis and treatment of medically necessary and cosmetic conditions of the skin, hair, nails, veins, mucous membranes and adjacent tissues by various surgical, reconstructive, cosmetic and non-surgical methods. This includes laser surgery, cryosurgery, chemical surgery, aspirational surgery and excisional surgery. The purpose of dermatologic surgery is to repair and/or improve the function and cosmetic appearance of skin tissue.

Dermatologist:

A dermatologist is a physician who has expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with benign and malignant disorders of the skin, mouth, external genitalia, hair and nails, as well as a number of sexually transmitted diseases. Dermatologists have extensive training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers, melanomas, moles, and other tumors of the skin, contact dermatitis and other allergic and non-allergic disorders, and in the recognition of the skin manifestations of systemic (including internal malignancy), and infectious diseases. The dermatologist also has expertise in the management of cosmetic disorders of the skin such as hair loss and scars.

To be certified as a dermatologist, a physician must have had at least four years of post-graduate residency training accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The first broad-based general clinical year is followed by three years of intensive training in dermatology including dermatopathology and dermatologic surgery. In addition to the successful completion of the four years of required training, the certification process includes a comprehensive examination administered by the American Board of Dermatology.

With this background and knowledge, dermatologists are singularly qualified to diagnose and treat the wide variety of dermatologic conditions as well as benign and malignant skin tumors. Dermatologists also have expertise in the care of normal skin and in the prevention of skin diseases and skin cancers.

What do Dermatologists Do?

Dermatologists perform many specialized diagnostic procedures including microscopic examination of skin biopsy specimens, cytological smears, patch tests, photo tests, potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparations, fungus cultures and other microbiologic examination of skin scrapings and secretions. Treatment methods used by dermatologists include externally applied, injected, and internal medications, selected x-ray and ultraviolet light therapy, and a range of dermatologic surgical procedures. The training and experience of dermatologists in dermatologic surgery include electrosurgery, cryosurgery with the use of freezing surgical units, laser surgery, nail surgery, biopsy techniques and excisional surgery with appropriate closures, including flaps and grafts. Among some of the techniques used by dermatologists for the correction of cosmetic defects are dermabrasion, chemical face peels, hair transplants, injections of materials into the skin for scar revision, sclerosis of veins, and laser surgery of vascular lesions of the skin, including certain birth marks. Patients seeking a dermatologist may come directly or may be referred by another physician.A certified specialist in dermatology may subspecialize and become certified for Special Qualification.

Dermatology:

The medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin (including hair and nails).

Dermatomyositis:

One of a group of acquired muscle diseases called inflammatory myopathies. The disease, which has a somewhat severe onset, affects both children and adults. Females are more often affected than males.

Dermatomyositis is characterized by a rash accompanying, or more often, preceding muscle weakness. The rash looks like patchy, bluish-purple discolorations on the face, neck, shoulders, upper chest, elbows, knees, knuckles, and back. Symptoms may also appear on the eyelids. Some people may also develop calcium deposits, which appear as hard bumps under the skin. The most common symptom is muscle weakness, usually affecting the muscles that are closest to the trunk of the body. Eventually, people have difficulty rising from a sitting position, climbing stairs, lifting objects, or reaching overhead. In some cases, muscles further away from the trunk of the body may be affected later in the course of the disease. Problems with swallowing (dysphagia) may occur. Occasionally, the muscles ache and are tender to the touch. Affected individuals may also feel fatigue and discomfort and experience weight loss or a low-grade fever.

Dermatopathology:

Dermatopatholgy is the study of skin disease at a microscopic level. It encompasses both the diagnosis of individual patients through the examination of skin biopsies, and the study of the causes, or pathogenesis of skin diseases at the cellular level. Dermatologists recognize most skin diseases based on their appearance, distribution on the body and behaviour with time. Occasionally, these criteria are not enough and a skin biopsy is taken to be examined under the microscope. This examination reveals the microscopic skin changes of certain diseases that help clarify the diagnosis. At Mid-Florida Dermatology Associates we strive to offer the best and most complete care to our patients, and with this in mind we have added dermatopathology to our list of services. As always, patient first!

Dermis:

The middle layer of the skin, below the epidermis and above subcutaneous tissue. It is composed of connective tissue in which is embedded hair follicles, sweat glands, superficial and deeper blood vessels, and nerve fibers.

Dermoscopy (surface microscopy):

Also known as dermatoscopy and epiluminescence microscopy. A noninvasive technique for examining a pigmented or nonpigmented lesion to assess anatomic structures that are not visible to the unaided eye. Surface microscopy may be done with the lesion covered with mineral oil, or with the lesion dry. When done with mineral oil, the oil is used to coat the lesion, then the lesion is examined with magnification (hand lens, dermatoscope, or computerized digital imaging.) Surface microscopy complements other diagnostic techniques and may help determine which skin lesions require biopsy or removal.

Discoid Eczema:

A form of eczema that can occur at any age and may affect any part of the body, but particularly the lower leg. One or many patches appear, and may persist for weeks or months. The majority of patches are round or oval, hence the name "discoid" or "nummular" dermatitis, which means coin or disc-shaped dermatitis.

Also see: Eczema

Dry Skin:

Dry skin can occur at any age and for many reasons. In general, skin becomes drier as we age; it is drier in winter months than in summer months, and drier in low-humidity climates such as Arizona than in high-humidity climates such as Florida. Skin is not dry because it lacks oil, but because it lacks water. Therefore all treatments are aimed at replacing water in the skin and the environment.

Dysplastic:

Alteration in size, shape and organization of cells. A dysplastic nevus is unusual-looking because of its size (5 millimeters diameter or larger), and irregular, non-uniform, and/or very dark pigmentation, with or without indistinct or irregular margins.

Also see: Skin Cancer

Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB):

A genetically based disease which affects 2 out of every 100,000 live births in the United States today. It is characterized by chronic, painful blistering. The skin and mucous membranes are so fragile that the slightest touch can cause severe blistering – inside and outside the body. Present at birth, EB does not discriminate as to race, ethnic origin or sex and many times appears spontaneously due to a mutant gene. At present there is no cure and no treatment except daily wound care and bandaging. Recent breakthroughs in gene research hold real promise for the future.