Skin conditions such as acne, eczema, bacterial and fungal skin infections, and irritant dermatitis are relatively easy to treat. (photo by Pexels)
Our skin, in all its colors, textures and ages, remains our most loyal companion throughout life. The importance, versatility and wonder of our skin cannot be overstated.
The skin is the largest organ of the body. It is the first layer of defense against the outside world and can provide various clues about our overall health. It protects nerve endings to sense when your skin is hot or too hot, and sweat glands to regulate heat from invading bacteria. It also contains cells that convert sunlight into vitamin D.
If you take care of your skin, it can take good care of you. This includes what you put on your body or skin and your daily hygiene practices. You should also pay attention to your skin and its changes to ensure that you will not experience any side effects such as rashes, hives, skin discoloration or abnormal growths such as birthmark, wart or tumor on your skin. Tools like teledermatology are an ideal starting point for diagnosing skin conditions.
What is teledermatology?
Teledermatology is one of the most popular methods of telemedicine. Telemedicine is the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients using digital technology. Teledermatology focuses on skin diseases or conditions.
With telemedicine platforms like MDLink , patients can easily access dermatology care from their personal location via video call, voice call, or text message. Since most skin conditions are visible, they are easy to assess with these virtual tools. Dermatologists can then expand their patient coverage using the resources available to them through telemedicine.
Skin conditions such as acne, eczema, herpes, viral warts, bacterial and fungal skin infections, and irritant dermatitis are relatively easy to treat.
This is usually done by sending pictures or videos of the condition to the dermatologist online.
Here are some of the benefits of teledermatology in treating patients.
1) Increasing the efficiency and convenience of dermatological treatment through shorter waiting times and faster access. You often have to wait a long time to see a personal specialist, telemedicine dermatology allows you to see a dermatologist immediately.
2) Patients in rural areas benefit from greater access to dermatological care that is not available to them where they are located, without the time and hassle of travel.
3) Quick and convenient access to second opinion recommendations and prescriptions for further diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions.
4) During a telemedicine consultation, if your dermatologist thinks you need a lab test, such as if you have a biopsy, they can send you a lab form for the test without going to their office.
5) Dermatology that offers telemedicine platforms such as MDLink allows you to send your personal information to your doctors through a private, secure and encrypted platform. You don't have to worry that shared photos of your skin problems or any other medical information will be accessible to anyone outside of the professionals running this platform.
Tips for healthy skin
Here are 10 ways to take care of your skin to make sure it stays healthy.
1) Protect your skin from the sun. Use sunscreen daily (SPF 30-50 recommended), wear protective clothing, and avoid direct sunlight when in strong sunlight.
2) Eat a healthy diet Skin-friendly foods like antioxidant-rich fruits (like mangoes and berries) and water-rich vegetables (like carrots and celery) are great for keeping your skin looking great.
3) Moisturize – Dry skin and frequent breakouts are signs that your skin is dehydrated. Staying hydrated, especially by drinking plenty of water, helps flush toxins from the body and prevent dehydration.
4) Quit smoking – Smoking deprives the skin of oxygen, making your skin look duller and thinner.
5) Avoid strong alcoholic drinks. alcohol dehydrates you quickly and can increase your risk of illness. It can make your skin look dull and wrinkled.
6) Be gentle with your skin. don't use harmful substances on your skin or in very hot water and keep your skin hydrated.
7) Manage your stress levels Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and lead to breakouts.
8) Get enough sleep – Getting enough sleep reduces dark circles and dull skin. Poor sleepers are prone to premature skin aging and impaired ability to heal from environmental stressors such as sun damage.
9) Take care of your skin - You can tell if something is wrong by taking care of your skin. If you don't check your skin in the mirror or in the shower, you may not notice a new growth, unusual rash, or discoloration until it's too late.
10) Visit a dermatologist if something is wrong. If you notice a rash, rash, blister, strange discoloration, or other signs of change on your skin, it could be an indication of a more serious condition. Skin changes in cancer, allergies, lupus, diabetes and many other diseases are the main symptoms that can indicate a complete diagnosis. Using teledermatology as a first step, your dermatologist can evaluate your skin and any other symptoms to guide both diagnosis and treatment.
It is very important that we understand the importance of our skin to our overall health. Healthy skin is a sign of a healthy body. However, sometimes our skin can signal a bigger problem in our body and we need to pay close attention to the changes that are taking place. The teledermatology department offers you a quick, convenient and affordable way to care for your skin and treat or diagnose other conditions. MDLink has dermatologists selected to care for your skin concerns.
Digital health entrepreneur and family doctor D. Chee Bowen is the CEO and founder of MDLink, a digital health company that offers telemedicine options. Visit the company's website at www.theMDLink.com . You can also contact him at drchebowen@themadlink.com .