Dermatology is the study of investigating, diagnosing, and treating skin problems of all kinds. Dermatology as a profession is a specialty focusing on various disorders and diseases of the skin, mucous membrane, hair, nails and numerous sexually transmitted diseases.

Dermatology is often practiced in combination with venereology, an area of expertise that diagnoses and treats sexually transmitted diseases, and phlebology, an area that deals with problems of the superficial venous system.

Dermatologists deal with a wide range of diseases including acne, warts, multiple inflammatory dermatomes, skin cancers, autoimmune diseases, occupational dermatomes and contact dermatitis, dealing with these diseases and disorders by way of different investigations and therapies.

Dermatology compounding is an ancient process of mixing drugs by a pharmacist or physician to fit the exclusive needs of a patient. For example, a patient allergic to the dyes used in a pill can take a doctor’s prescription for the necessary medicine to be compounded without the offending dye. Each compounded prescription is hand made from the bets quality chemicals and made by pharmacists that specialize in formulating drugs.

Of all the benefits that dermatology compounding offers, some are as follows
• Avoidance of dyes, preservative, fillers
• Palatable liquid medications
• Administrable dosage forms
• Avoidance of side effects
• Dose, dosage form, or medication not commercially available
• Combination or sustained release therapy to improve compliance
• Cost effective therapy

Here are a few problem solving ideas in cases where a commercially available product might fail to bring about the desired results:

• Problem Options
• Acne 4% Niacin amide gel Isotretinoin, Retinoic Acid Benzoyl peroxide, Sulfur, Resorcinol, Erythromycin, Clindamycin, each of the above medications can be compounded into a cream, lotion or gel.
• Onychomycosis Fluconazole, compounded into a nail polish with DMSO. The DMSO penetrates the nail bed, thus allowing the Fluconazole to work more directly at the site.
• Bleaching Agents Hydroquinone, Retinoic acid, each can be compounded into a cream, gel or lotion and in combination with lactic or glycolic acids.
• Eczema Corticosteroidshydrocortisone, Triamcinolone
• Fever Blisters Acyclovir lip balms, creams, lotions, Deoxy-d-glucose lip, balms, cream and lotions.
• Psoriasis Corticosteroids hydrocortisone, Triamcinolone, prednisone, Dexamethasone, Betamethasone, oral methotrexate, annthralin, coal tar, resorcinol, sulfur, salicylic acid, most can be compounded into a cream, lotion or gel.

However, any information that you get via books, internet or other media concerning diseases and disorders of the skin cannot be a substitute for a professional medical advice.

Only certified dermatologists have the medical training and experience needed to accurately diagnose the disease and decide on the most appropriate treatments for each patient.

There is an acute need for dermatology training in the world today. Something like 3 billion people living in more than 100 countries need basic care for their skin diseases. For the most part, skin diseases in the world can be detected and successfully treated by simple and economical means. All that is needed is trained personnel to provide skilled and well-read patient care – professional dermatologists.

Trained dermatologists more often than not combine several activities, ranging from seeing patients in public hospitals, clinics, in private practices acting as consultants to other specialists, teaching, and examining clinical or basic research.

Skin conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, infectious diseases, wounds, rosaceous and acne can all be easily treated with various compounded medications. Conventionally many of these conditions have been treated this way.

Examples of these traditional treatments are salicylic acid, menthol, phenol, coal tar solution, ichthammol, zinc oxide and dithranol. These still play an important role in treating these conditions. Also, there are many new medications that are not available as proprietary products that can be exceptionally helpful in treating skin conditions like tacrolimus, clobetasol propionate, hyaluronic acid and tretinoin.