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Archive for the ‘Derm Questions’ Category
|Skin biopsies provide answers from the inside out
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011
By Anu G. Jayaraman, MD
If you’ve ever seen a dermatologist about a strange looking mole, a bleeding skin growth or a persistent rash, then you may have had a skin biopsy. This workhorse procedure is one of the most used tools in the dermatologist’s toolkit. A skin biopsy is often performed when visual examination does not yield a definitive diagnosis.
There are three common types of skin biopsies, each with its own characteristics and indications. The shave biopsy is the least invasive. It is used when a superficial sample of the skin is needed. The punch biopsy uses a small, sharp instrument that works like a cookie cutter to remove a small sample of skin and underlying tissue. The most extensive procedure is the excisional biopsy which removes the entire lesion. All three types of biopsies are performed in the dermatologist’s office under local anesthesia and are well tolerated by patients of all ages.
Once a skin sample has been obtained, the specimen is preserved and affixed to a slide. A dermatopathologist with specialized training in the interpretation of skin biopsies views the slide under a microscope to examine the individual cells and aid the clinician in making a diagnosis.
What makes the process so valuable is that it provides a deeper understanding of what’s happening in, on and beneath the skin. A skin biopsy can help distinguish whether a pinkish spot is entirely harmless, a basal cell carcinoma or a more serious skin cancer. It can show whether an itchy or bleeding growth is an indication of an underlying illness, or whether bruising, pitting or redness of the breast skin is a symptom of breast cancer.
The dermatologists at SSDP work closely with highly trained dermatopathologists to diagnose complex skin problems and determine appropriate treatments. If you have a question about your own skin health, contact our office at 508.535.3376 (DERM) to make an appointment today.
Anu G. Jayaraman, MD, is a dermatopathologist and dermatologist at South Shore Dermatology Physicians. Learn more about SSDP’s skin health services at www.southshorederm.com.
Tags: dermatologist, dermatopathologist, diagnosis, skin biopsy, SSDP
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Who Needs a Board Certified Dermatologist?
Thursday, March 31st, 2011
By Viraj Shroff-Mehta, MD
When someone asks why you need a dermatologist to care for your skin, what do you say?
You could start by explaining that a dermatologist is the only physician with years of specialized training and Board certification in diagnosing and treating diseases of the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes. It is a broad knowledge base that qualifies your doctor to recognize if that sore in your mouth, that burning upon urination, or those itchy, bloodshot eyes are not just isolated symptoms but indications of a more serious skin disorder.
Then there’s the dermatologist’s extensive training. Did you know that a dermatologist undergoes one or more years of post-graduate training in internal medicine, pediatrics or general surgery before entering the field of dermatology? When combined with three or more years of dermatological training, that far-reaching background enables your dermatologist to know when a problem with your skin is just a problem with your skin -Â and when it is not. It is the ability to distinguish when a persistent yeast infection is caused by undiagnosed diabetes or when hard-to-treat acne is caused by an underlying hormonal imbalance.
The best reason for choosing a Board certified dermatologist is the confidence you gain from knowing that a highly trained individual is caring for your skin. Whether you need a skin cancer screening, evaluation of a painful rash or growth, or treatment of acne, psoriasis, sun damage, or other skin condition, a dermatologist is the person best qualified to provide expert diagnosis and treatment for all your skin health needs.
Learn more at www.southshorederm.com or www.aad.org.
Tags: Board certified dermatologist, dermatologist
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