What is a Pediatric Dermatologist?
A pediatric dermatologist is a dermatologist with additional specialized training in diagnosing and treating children and adolescents. Children are not just small adults. Certain skin conditions, such as infantile hemangiomas, only occur in children, and some conditions may have a different appearance in children than adults. Pediatric Dermatologists are experts in the correct diagnosis and management of skin, hair, and nail conditions in children, including proper pediatric medication management. Pediatric dermatologists create a kid-friendly environment to put your child at ease. When your child sees a pediatric dermatologist, you can be assured that your child is being cared for by someone with the experience and qualifications to provide the best possible care.
Pediatric Dermatologists — The Best Care For Children
Pediatric Dermatologists are experts in the correct diagnosis and management of skin, hair, and nail conditions in children, including proper pediatric medication management. When your child sees a pediatric dermatologist, you can be assured that your child is being cared for by someone with the experience and qualifications to provide the best possible care.
How do you become a pediatric dermatologist?
Pediatric dermatologists are medical doctors who first become dermatologists and then pursue specialized training in pediatric dermatology. Pediatric dermatologists have had the following (or sometimes more) training:
- Four years of medical school to become a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)
- One year of internship (Clinical Training)
- Three years of dermatology residency followed by a board examination to become a Board Certified Dermatologist
- One year of pediatric dermatology fellowship followed by a board examination to become a Board Certified Pediatric Dermatologist
What does it mean to be board certified?
Dermatologists and Pediatric Dermatologists are both board certified by the American Board of Dermatology (MD) or the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology (DO).
When seeing a dermatologist or pediatric dermatologist who is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology or American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology, you can be assured that they have met the high standards for education and training, and that they possesses the knowledge and skills essential for the provision of superior, specialized care to patients with cutaneous diseases.
What treatments do pediatric dermatologists provide?
Pediatric dermatologists provide care for a wide variety of skin, hair, and nail conditions. They generally provide the following services:
- Diagnosis of various skin conditions, including hemangiomas and other vascular birthmarks, pigmented birthmarks, and congenital skin disorders, eczema or atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, vitiligo, hives, and warts to name a few
- Treatment for a wide variety of conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails
- Minor surgical procedures, including skin biopsies, cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen), surgical removal of skin lesions, and laser treatment