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Pediatric Dermatologist |
Career OverviewA pediatric dermatologist specializes in caring for and treating diseases of the skin, mucous membranes, hair and nails in infants, children and teenagers. They train in diagnosing and treating malignant and benign skin disorders such as melanomas, moles and skin cancers.
A pediatric dermatologist will advise and treat teens with severe skin reaction to makeup products, fragrances and many other external factors that have a negative affect on a teenager’s skin. At one time or another during adolescents, most children have some form of skin problem such as pimples or rashes.
One of the more serious skin disorders that a pediatric dermatologist deals with and treats is skin cancer. Other skin diseases that they train pediatric dermatologists to diagnose and treat are:
- Burns
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Nail problems
- Warts
- Acne
- Rashes
- Skin cancer
- Hair loss
- Problems with skin pigmentation
Pediatric dermatologists do not just learn to diagnose and treat skin disorders and diseases of adolescences skin. They train pediatric dermatologist in sexually transmitted diseases, skin allergies and immunology along with all the other relevant aspects of internal and environmental medicine, radiology, surgery and prevention.
Pediatric dermatologists administer treatments and often prescribe medication to help infants and adolescents that suffer from skin diseases. One of the many benefits of becoming a pediatric dermatologist is that, unlike many other forms of medicine, there are large varieties of very effective treatments available for dermatology patients.
The four main areas that dermatologists and pediatric dermatologists work in are prevention, diagnosis, cosmetic procedures and surgery.
Prevention – A pediatric dermatologist educates young adults about unnecessary damage caused by over-exposure to the sun. They learn how to recognize signs of skin problems and skin cancer. Pediatric dermatologists also do skin surgery when necessary to improve the skins appearance and to prevent or control a disease.
Diagnosis – pediatric dermatologist diagnose skin problems and diseases effectively and quickly by checking symptoms. They care for the patients using proven methods of treatment such as creams and medication.
Cosmetic procedures – They remove birthmarks or correct damage caused by disease.
Surgery - A pediatric dermatologist usually performs surgery to prevent or provide control of skin disease.
A pediatric dermatologist administers and prescribes medication along with performing many laboratory procedures, examining tissue samples and using chemical and biological analysis, in order to recognize harmful organisms or disease conditions.
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Career RequirementsAfter four years of medical school there is an additional year of specialty pediatrics training internship. After one year of specialty training, there are two more years of residency training in dermatology, followed by one to three years of fellowship training in pediatric dermatology.
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Job OutlookThe American Academy of Dermatology states that there is a shortage of pediatric dermatologists in both rural and urban areas. They expect the employment for physicians to continue to grow at an above average pace through 2014. With pediatric dermatologist retiring and the population increasing, the outlook for job prospects is very positive.
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Career TrackThere are many options for pediatric dermatologist regarding career change opportunities. They often work in hospitals or medial facilities for several years gaining experience and expertise and then choose to go into private practice or teach. Some pediatric dermatologists also choose a career in research or as research consultant.
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CompensationThe annual salary for pediatric dermatologists in their first year ranges from approximately $224,000 to over $418,000 for pediatric dermatologists with three plus years of experience.
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