Do I Need a Dermatologist?
The first thing you need to know about picking a dermatologist is - you may not need a dermatologist. There are several types of health care providers who take care of skin conditions.
Types of Providers
The following are descriptions of the different levels of health care
providers:
- Nurse Practitioner - An RN who has further training in diagnosing and treating patients. As a general rule, NP's are very interested in patient education.
- Physician Assistant - PA's have a 2-year training program instead of a 4-year medical school. Many specialize in certain fields just like doctors.
- Primary Care Doctor - An MD or DO who specializes in internal medicine, family practice, or pediatrics.
- Specialist - Examples of specialties that take care of skin conditions are dermatology, surgery, and allergy.
- Subspecialist - These specialties are the most narrow and require the most training. Examples are plastic surgery, dermatopathology, and Moh's micrographic surgery.
Communicating with Your Provider
With all of these choices, where do you start? Most importantly, you should
find a provider you can trust and communicate with comfortably. Communication
is easier with someone who fits your personality and takes you seriously. If
you're not sure whether your current provider can take care of your skin
condition - ask. Here are some examples of questions to ask your provider:
- Do you take care of patients with this type of skin condition?
- What information can you give me about my rash?
- When do you refer patients with rashes to another provider?
- Who would you refer me to?
When to See Your Primary Care Provider
Generally, if you have a new rash, you should see your regular provider. Many
skin conditions don't require a specialist to diagnose and treat. Some rashes
are chronic, or long-term, requiring regular check-ups to keep them under
control. You should consider seeing a dermatologist if your regular regimen is
not working.
When to See a Dermatologist
Some conditions are pretty exclusively treated by a dermatologist. These
include severe forms of common diseases such as acne, atopic
dermatitis, and rosacea. Also included are uncommon diseases
such as pemphigus, porphyria, and cutaneous lupus. Finally, most skin
cancers are treated by a dermatologist, sometimes in conjunction with
a surgeon.
Finding a Provider
To find a qualified provider in your area, most specialties have websites that
list board-certified doctors in that specialty. You can call your state's
medical board to see if a specific provider has had any complaints against him.
Finally, ask your friends, people from the place of worship you attend, or
community organizations you are involved in if they have recommendations. The
good providers are usually well known.