Why a dermatological diagnosis will be useful to a cosmetic doctor
Dermatological ABCs that are important to know
Cosmetology continues to evolve rapidly, so there is a need to systematise the approach to working with our patients. Dermatologists have well-developed schemes for dealing with complaints, collecting anamnesis, determining the morphological elements of the rash in order to correctly diagnose and provide quality medical care. It's more complicated with cosmetologists....
Svetlana Yudina, dermatovenerologist, honoured doctor of Ukraine, chief physician of the clinic «Doctor Yudina»
A lot of unlicensed schools, lack of standards for cosmetology procedures, on-the-job training leads the quality of cosmetology care to the state, as in the old Ukrainian proverb: «There is an elderberry in the garden, and an uncle in Kiev». I will share my experience of dermatological diagnosis, which, of course, will be a help and cosmetologist.
To begin with, I advise you to listen carefully to the patient. Dermatological diagnosis is determined, first of all, based on a thorough examination, which will help to identify specific clinical signs, which is the key to establishing the correct diagnosis. So, the process of determining the diagnosis consists of:
● history taking;
● examining the patient;
● performing other investigations if necessary.
After examining the patient and finding out his/her complaints, try to systematise them.
● Identify subjective sensations (pain, itching, burning, increased or decreased skin sensitivity). If the patient complains of itching, it is necessary to clarify its intensity. The presence of burning is a feature of such diseases as pyoderma, trophic ulcers, shingles, and vesicular fever.
● Do not forget to ask about general disturbances bothering the patient: irritability, tendency to depression, loss of appetite, etc.
● It is imperative to take a thorough medical history, including the onset and history of the disease, what the patient believes is the cause and triggering factor.
● Clarify where the "problem" started, where the rash elements were first localised, whether the disease tends to be seasonal, whether there are exacerbations, remissions and relapses.
It is very important to determine what the previous treatment was, to evaluate the results achieved.
● The living conditions of your patient are of great importance and therefore, in addition to the medical history, a life history is required.
When taking a life history, try to ask about the health of the parents, diseases in the family (eczema, psoriasis, bronchial asthma).
● It is necessary to find out if the patient has allergic reactions to medicines, foodstuffs.
● In case of rosacea, physical activity, bathing and psycho-emotional state influence the exacerbation of the disease.
First published in the Magazine «Cosmetologist» #1, 2022
*Full version of the access article in Ukrainian and Russian