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American Academy of Dermatology Launches Campaign to Highlight the Importance of Dermatology

As the U.S. population ages, the number of Americans who suffer from skin diseases will continue to rise, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Skin diseases can be the first sign of an underlying health condition. Further, many chronic illnesses can lead to or exacerbate skin conditions.

“We all look at our skin every day.  Whether it is to wash our face, or dry off after bathing.  Being the largest organ of the body, our skin can show us if we are growing a skin cancer, have a skin disease or show us a manifestation of an internal disease that we may not be aware is present,” says Brian Biernat, MD, of the Center for Surgical Dermatology & Dermatology Associates.

“Dermatologists have years of training to understand, diagnose and treat multitudes of diseases that affect the skin.  We are able to perform lifesaving skin cancer surgeries, and treat diseases that attack our bodies inside,” Dr. Biernat continues. “Our training allows us to perform cost-effective procedures which bring the highest patient safety and cure rates. We prescribe medicines that allow a person to wear shorts and a short sleeve shirt in the summer; giving patients freedom when they otherwise would have felt trapped in their skin and held captive to the social pressures of their skin disease.” 

Dermatologists are trained to treat the 3,000 conditions that fall under the umbrella of the specialty. However, there has been a trend in entertainment and the media to portray Dermatologists as merely glorified cosmetologists, and such popular YouTube sites as ‘Dr. Pimple Popper’ reinforce these stereotypes.

To help correct this misconception, the AAD is working to educate patients, other clinicians, and health insurance companies about the importance of Dermatology. As part of its SkinSerious campaign, the organization has produced an excellent video which highlights the importance of Dermatologists and how this specialty can help improve the health of patients.

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