dermatological

Dermatological is an adjective relating to dermatology, the branch of medicine concerned with the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes. It encompasses the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and conditions affecting these tissues, as well as cosmetic concerns and procedures that affect appearance and function.

The clinical scope includes a wide range of conditions, from common inflammatory disorders such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis to infections (bacterial, fungal, viral), autoimmune blistering diseases, pigmented disorders, skin cancer, alopecia, and nail diseases. Dermatology also addresses benign lesions, developmental conditions, and reactions to medications, environmental factors, or allergens.

Diagnostics and procedures in dermatology typically begin with clinical examination and history-taking. Additional tools may include dermoscopy, skin biopsy for histopathology, patch testing for contact dermatitis, and, when indicated, laboratory tests or imaging. Treatments span topical therapies (steroids, retinoids, antibiotics, antifungals), systemic medications (antibiotics, immunomodulators, biologics), and phototherapy. Surgical and procedural options include cryotherapy, excisions, curettage, laser therapy, and Mohs micrographic surgery for selected cancers. Cosmetic dermatology, while focused on appearance, often employs many of the same techniques in a medically supervised context, including chemical peels and injectables.

Education and research in dermatology involve medical specialty training after medical school, with residents focusing on skin-related medicine and often pursuing subspecialties such as pediatric dermatology, dermatopathology, or dermatologic oncology. Ongoing research covers skin biology, immunology, genetic skin diseases, cancer, and advances in imaging and teledermatology. The term derives from Greek derma, skin, and logia, study.