Your skin is your largest, heaviest organ, and it has many important functions. It protects you from heat, cold, germs and dangerous substances. It’s also a great indicator of your overall health — changes in the color or feel of your skin can be a sign of a medical problem. It’s important to take proper care of your skin and be aware of its overall health. Some of the most common conditions a dermatologist may treat include: Acne, Eczema, Hair loss, Nail fungus, Psoriasis, Skin cancer, Rosacea, etc.
Our specialized doctors can diagnose some skin problems by how they look. For other problems, they will use skin and blood tests. In other cases, our doctor will carefully examine your symptoms and provide the proper diagnosis after conducting the appropriate tests that may include:
Patch testing: Patch tests are used to diagnose skin allergies. Allergens (substances that a person may be allergic to) are applied to the skin on the back with adhesive patches and left for a period of time. The skin is then examined for any reaction.
Skin biopsy: Skin biopsies are used to diagnose skin cancer or benign skin disorders. During a skin biopsy, skin is removed (after a local anesthetic is applied) and is taken to a laboratory for analysis. Skin may be removed with a scalpel, razor blade, or a cylindrical punch biopsy tool. Stitches may be used to close the wound.
Culture MA culture is a test that is done to identify the microorganism (bacteria, fungus, or virus) that is causing an infection. Skin (surface scrapings, biopsies, contents of pus bumps and blisters), hair, or nails may be cultured.
Dermoscopy (a noninvasive method using a handheld device that enables dermatologists to better see the lesion), confocal imagers, and tape stripping to look at genetic material are other diagnostic techniques.