Dermatoscopy Zakopane – Medical Clinic Podhale Art. We cordially invite you!

Dermatoscopy is a safe, painless, non-invasive diagnostic method, so far used, among others, in in diagnosing skin neoplastic diseases. It consists in the observation and assessment of skin changes and pigmented marks (moles) on the skin of the body and face. In addition, the test is simple, does not require prior preparation and takes only a few minutes – we conduct it at the Medical Clinic Podhale Art dermatology clinic in Zakopane.

The examination is performed with the use of a dermatoscope, in other words – with a device with a magnifying optical system (10-20 times) and a light source.

The point is to carefully examine any changes and moles.

Everyone should perform a dermatoscopic check-up at least once a year (in the autumn and winter period). This is of great preventive importance as dermatoscopy is a sensitive and reliable test. You should also undergo it in any case of sudden occurrence of a disturbing change.

Patients at increased risk should undergo dermatoscopy every six months. These are people such as:

• having freckles or various kinds of moles,
• sunbathing poorly or not at all,
• fair complexion,
• are often exposed to sunlight,
• attending the solarium,
• genetically burdened, whose relatives suffered from melanoma,
• after cancer (melanoma) – follow-up examination.

With the help of dermatoscopy, the assessment of hemangiomas, warts, hair shaft and vascular bed is also performed; labrum of the epidermal nail in collagen diseases (connective tissue diseases) and identification of mites.

Changes detected in a dermatoscopic examination

The dermatoscope allows the dermatologist to recognize mild and dangerous changes, such as:

• malignant melanoma,
• Reed’s birthmark (formerly called juvenile melanoma),
• blue birthmark,
• seborrheic wart,
• hemangiomas,
• pigment epithelioma.

This examination is recommended primarily in the case of skin lesions with visible deformation, color change, bleeding, peeling, itching. It is worth examining the birthmarks of uneven color and irregular edges, as well as all that appeared suddenly or begin to enlarge or bulge. Ailments that should induce us to undergo the examination are also redness around the moles, swelling, oozing or pain.

Dermatoscopy is a test that can be repeated many times and performed in people of all ages and pregnant women. It is non-invasive, painless and completely safe. Although it does not give a final diagnosis, it allows to differentiate between mild and atypical lesions and is the basis for medical recommendations regarding the need for further tests (e.g. histopathological) or the implementation of appropriate treatment.

Dermatoscopy Zakopane – dermatology Medical Clinic Podhale Art, Chramcówki 7, tel: +48 18 265 74 27