Pediatric Dermatology

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a pediatric dermatologist is a skincare doctor who has specialized training in identifying, managing, and treating children’s skin, hair, and nail conditions. Children may develop conditions that do not occur in adults or look different from adults, so it’s vital to have an expert managing a skin, hair, or nail condition in a child, notes the Academy.

Similarly, some effective or safe treatments in adults may not be safe in children.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the definition of a dermatologist is a “doctor who specializes in conditions involving the skin, hair, and nails.” All dermatologists are skilled at detecting and treating conditions in children; however, pediatric dermatologists have specialized training to manage more complex or rare conditions, particularly those not resolved with traditional management.

A pediatric dermatologist can care for children across the spectrum, from infancy to adolescence. According to the Society for Pediatric Dermatology, a pediatric dermatologist must first complete a 3-year dermatology residency after medical school. Then, they must complete a 1- or 2-year fellowship at an accredited program and pass a certifying exam in pediatric dermatology. This will afford them the title of a board-certified pediatric dermatologist.

Like a pediatrician, a pediatric dermatologist is especially adept at managing children and addressing their particular emotions and physical needs. A pediatric dermatologist’s office may be less intimidating to a child and may have child-size equipment. The dermatology team may also be more accustomed to treating children and speaking to them gently and reassuringly, which can be an excellent reason to seek care from a pediatric dermatologist rather than a general dermatologist, notes the Society for Pediatric Dermatology

A pediatric dermatologist may also be particularly helpful if your child has a skin condition that a pediatrician or a general dermatologist cannot fully manage, notes the Society for Pediatric Dermatology. Some pediatric dermatologists are especially skilled at managing certain conditions and their specific treatments, and this may be a reason to seek care from this type of specialist. If your child has a skin, hair, or nail condition that is especially rare or difficult to manage, a pediatric dermatologist is typically the type of medical provider who is best equipped to help.

Conditions treated

According to the Society for Pediatric Dermatology, a pediatric dermatologist can help with an array of skin, hair, and nail conditions that occur in childhood, including the following:

• Acne
• Acanthosis nigricans
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Alopecia areata
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Hidradenitis suppurative
• Hemangiomas
• Herpes infections
• Hyperhidrosis
• Urticaria (hives)
• Juvenile xanthogranuloma
• Keratosis pilaris
• Lichen sclerosis
• Mastocytosis
• Moles
• Melanoma
• Molluscum contagiosum
• Nevus sebaceous
• Papular urticarial
• Perioral dermatitis
• Pediatric skin cancer
• Pigmentary mosaicism
• Pilomatricoma
• Psoriasis
• Port-wine stains
• Pyogenic granuloma
• Scabies
• Scars
• Spitz nevus
• Tinea infections
• Vitiligo
• Warts
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Sometimes, a skin condition can be a hallmark of an underlying internal medical condition, so pediatric dermatologists must also be familiar with non-skin-related conditions in children, such as endocrine and neurologic conditions.

According to the Society for Pediatric Dermatology, at the pediatric dermatologist, you will usually first be asked about your child’s medical history, including allergies and any known medical conditions or current medications. Then, your child’s dermatologist will ask detailed questions about the history of the particular condition you are there to address. If you have been tracking the development of a skin condition (i.e., noting exposures that seem to worsen a rash or times of day when it flares up), it will be helpful to bring this information to the appointment. Then, the dermatologist will do a thorough physical exam, looking at the site of the concern and also checking other areas of the body, if applicable. If the dermatologist can make a diagnosis on the spot, they may suggest a management or treatment plan, taking into consideration your child’s age and temperament. Your child may also require testing, such as a biopsy or bloodwork, to reach a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan.