The profession of dermatologist is considered as one of the oldest fields of medicine. It is a highly respected medical professional who is trained to diagnose, treat and prevent skin disorders. Most people know that a dermatologist treats and diagnosis of different types of skin diseases like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and even skin cancer. Dermatologists are also involved in the study of skin diseases such as warts and genital warts. The purpose of this article is to give basic information on the history of dermatology.

History of dermatology is actually an evolution of medical practices all over the world. Early writings from as far back as the second millennium BC mention the use of ointments and herbal medications for treating skin disorders. Readily available natural changes of the human skin surface were identified as early as the beginning of history, with some of them being fully treated, and others not. One of the oldest known historical records regarding skin conditions is the Ebers Papyrus, which is a manuscript written by an Egyptian doctor around 1500 BC. This document states that dermatologists are knowledgeable about various natural treatments used by Egyptians for treating different skin diseases. The writing also indicates that the Egyptians regularly consulted with a group of dermatologists referred to as "dermatologists" for consultation.

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This history of dermatology is further reflected in written history books from the time of Alexander the Great who had various soldiers sent to guard his capital from enemy attacks. All the soldiers were required to carry with them a certain number of prescriptions such as medications used for treating common skin conditions like insect bites. These prescriptions did not include drugs for healing acne or other serious skin diseases until the nineteenth century. Dermatologists were the first doctors to use chemical compounds for curing skin disorders like eczema, burns, rashes and abscesses.

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It was not until the end of the nineteenth century that dermatologists started prescribing antibiotics for treating acne, even though there was no evidence that antibiotics were effective. Dermatologists could only explain the cause of acne by prescribing antibiotics, but they could never explain why antibiotics were necessary. The first published prescription for a treatment of acne was given by J. S. Zaccarelli, M. D., a doctor in a small New York City clinic. In his lengthy review of literature about acne, Zaccarelli described four different kinds of acne, their symptoms and different methods of treating them.

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There are many differences between a regular doctor and a dermatologist. The main difference is that a regular doctor takes on a wide variety of patients and may work in a variety of settings including hospitals and clinics, to a dermatologist only see patients in their offices. Dermatologists attend medical school and obtain a formal certification from one of the six boards certified by the American Academy of Dermatology. They must also pass a specific exam in order to become board certified and then remain board certified until they have successfully completed the remaining number of years required to be a dermatologist. A dermatologist can specialize in almost any field of medicine.

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Dermatologists typically treat many of the same types of skin conditions that regular doctors treat. Many dermatologists are also board certified in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, women's health, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, acne, psoriasis, facial skin conditions and dermatologic surgery. Dermatologists are specially trained to manage the various skin conditions that their patients come into their offices for such as acne, eczema, moles, warts, scars, wrinkles and even severe allergies. A Dermatologist is much more likely to know the best course of action for each patient and will have had experience dealing with many of these conditions themselves. If you are interested in seeing a dermatologist, you should make an appointment to discuss your skin problems and the options available to you.