What is Pediatric Dermatology?

Dermatology is a discipline of medicine that deals with the diseases of skin, hair, and nails. Pediatric is a discipline of medicine that deals with the treatment and care of infants and children up to the age of 18 years. Pediatric dermatology particularly engages in the diagnosis and treatment of skin problems in children. It focuses on children who have skin conditions ranging from birthmarks to eczema and more. The discipline treats children, from newborn babies to adolescents, who have common pediatric skin conditions or rare skin diseases.

A Paediatric dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of skin, hair and nail problems in children. Many skin conditions appear in childhood, some of which are also common in adults but affect children and teenagers differently. The most common conditions include dermatitis (Itchy, dry skin or rash), infections (warts, verrucas, or impetigo), genetic disorders, acne, cherry hemangiomas, or vascular injuries. Children’s skin is different to adults’ skin and it needs specialist care and treatments for all conditions. The pediatricians will be able to spot them and know if the child needs to see a pediatric dermatologist.

What Does a Pediatric Dermatologist Do?

Pediatric dermatologists aim to concentrate their medical practice on treating the skin problems of children. Both advanced training and practical experience in the field help them to understand the particulars of treating skin problems medically and surgically.

Pediatric dermatologists are medical professionals who have attained the following degrees and certifications:

Has an MBBS degree from a recognized institution (generally 5 years)
Has an MD degree in dermatology from a recognized institution (generally 3 years)
Completed Fellowship training in pediatric dermatology (generally 1 year)

The parents must speak with their pediatric dermatologist to create the proper treatment plan for their kids. They have substantial formal education, training, and real-world experience. They have received specialized training on how to discuss medical issues with Children. Children not only experience physical problems differently but also how they handle them.

Symptoms or Causes to See a Pediatric Dermatologist

All skin-related disorders of children are treated in pediatric dermatology. Children may acquire certain skin disorders that require specialized care. Early diagnosis can assist in preventing disorders from becoming chronic issues as an adult. The most typical ailments are as follows:

Acne
Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
Birthmarks
Hemangiomas
Vitiligo
Rashes
Childhood skin cancers
Connective tissue diseases of the skin
Contact dermatitis
Dermatoses of pregnancy
Erythromelalgia
Hair loss
Infections in the skin
Inherited disorders
Scar
Alopecia
Keratosis
Mastocytosis
Hives
Moles
Psoriasis
Restorative skin care after medical or surgical intervention
Vascular malformations
Warts

When to see a Doctor?

If a patient experiences any of the symptoms mentioned above he should immediately visit the doctor. Depending on the treatment, you may need to schedule an additional appointment or procedure. The treatment of skin ailment is usually long-term, which requires extreme care and patience. The parents are advised to stick to the plan vigorously and inform the dermatologist of any unusual happening.

Remedies and Treatment advised and practiced by Pediatric Dermatologist

Children have unique physical, mental, or emotional characteristics. They can't always express what's bothering them, respond to questions from the doctor, or behave patiently and cooperatively while getting a physical. They might experience fear or anxiety even just from being in a medical facility or hospital. For this, we have to form an engaging environment.

This starts with clinics that are arranged and decorated with children in mind.

The process of treatment starts with diagnosis. The doctor may ask parents about the symptoms and issues with the child primarily but parents are expected to assist their child in answering or providing the information. In addition, the doctor may review the patient’s birth, development, and family history. After a full examination to have an accurate diagnosis he may refer to the mentioned test -

Blood test
Urine test
Skin Biopsy
After an examination, the dermatologist may prescribe below mentioned treatment -
Oral medications
Topical treatments (Ointment, gel)
Change in diet
Laser therapy
Surgical removal