Dr. Carla V. Errickson - What Is Dermatology?
Carla V. Errickson, MD, is a well-versed dermatologist who diagnoses and treats patients at St. Luke’s Dermatology in Center Valley, PA. The practice of St. Luke’s Dermatology is affiliated with St. Luke’s University Health Network in Center Valley, Wind Gap, and Easton. Furthermore, Dr. Errickson has staff memberships... more
What is Dermatology?
Dermatology is a branch of medicine that deals with the skin and diseases of the skin. Common aspects of dermatology include skin moles, skin cancer, and Mohs surgery. Dermatologists may perform medical or surgical treatments.
Skin Moles. A mole is a growth on or in the skin. They develop when melanocytes – the cells that make melanin, a brown pigment in your skin – grow in clusters or nests. Moles may be present at birth, but most moles tend to appear later in childhood. Some signs that a mole may be atypical is a mole that changes color, shape, texture, or height.
Skin Cancer. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. It usually forms in skin that has been damaged by sunlight, but it can occur anywhere on the body. Your family genetics and past medical history may play major roles as well. There are two broad categories of skin cancer, melanoma skin cancer and non-melanoma skin cancer.
Mohs Surgery. Mohs surgery is a precise surgical technique that removes several types of skin cancers—most commonly basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. During Mohs surgery, layers of cancer-containing skin are progressively removed and examined until only cancer-free tissue remains.
