{"id":19804,"date":"2022-08-03T12:22:15","date_gmt":"2022-08-03T17:22:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepapergown.zocdoc.com\/?p=19804"},"modified":"2023-03-19T11:45:57","modified_gmt":"2023-03-19T16:45:57","slug":"when-should-you-really-see-a-dermatologist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/when-should-you-really-see-a-dermatologist\/","title":{"rendered":"When Should You Really See a Dermatologist?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your skin is your body\u2019s largest organ, so while you may never see some specialists, like a nephrologist, you definitely should find yourself a reliable dermatologist.\u00a0<\/span>Dermatologists treat <\/span>skin<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>hair<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>nail<\/span><\/a> problems. Even if you\u2019ve never had a run-in with acne, warts or hair loss, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends everyone get an <\/span>annual skin screening<\/span><\/a> to rule out skin cancer, the <\/span>most common type<\/span><\/a> of cancer affecting Americans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other issues warrant a visit that you may not even know about. We asked the experts when you should consider <\/span>heading to a derm<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

How often should you go in for skin checks?<\/h3>\n

Dr. Melissa Piliang<\/span><\/a>, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic, suggests getting established with a dermatologist in your early to mid-twenties. If you\u2019re older than that and haven\u2019t ever seen a provider, now is still the perfect time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo in, get a skin check and talk to them about any concerns,\u201d Piliang says. \u201cThey can educate you about sun protection and how to do self\u2013skin exams to prevent skin cancer.\u201d She recommends checking your own skin once a month, because most skin cancers are found by patients or their family members.<\/span><\/p>\n

At that first appointment, your derm can offer guidance about how often they want to see you. If skin cancer runs in your family, you work a job where you\u2019re outside a lot or you go tanning, your doc might want to see you more frequently to check your skin for signs of cancer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Otherwise, it\u2019s generally OK to get your skin looked at once a year. (Your primary care provider should also check your skin at physicals, but dermatologists are usually more thorough.)<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

When should you see a dermatologist for a problem?<\/h3>\n

Along with helping you protect your skin, hair and nails, dermatologists treat any additional problems that might arise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you notice a new or changing spot on your skin, like a pimple that won\u2019t go away, a scaly plaque or an abnormal mole, it\u2019s a good idea to see an expert who can rule out potentially serious issues. Rashes that won\u2019t go away or that cover more than 10 percent of your body should also be addressed by a dermatologist.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep an eye out for changes in your nails and skin too. Thickened or yellow nails or red and inflamed cuticles can be signs of medical conditions that need to be addressed by a specialist. Certain diseases, like some autoimmune disorders, can also cause hair loss, so that\u2019s another good cue to see a dermatologist.<\/span><\/p>\n

Derms can help treat cosmetic issues too. If you have deep, painful acne but over-the-counter treatments aren\u2019t solving the problem, a dermatologist can recommend a topical treatment or a medication, like an antibiotic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

What skin problems can you treat at home?<\/h3>\n

If you have acne, it\u2019s reasonable to start with over-the-counter cleansers or other products. Your primary care provider can also help treat your acne if it\u2019s mild. Bug bites or mild rashes that feel itchy but haven\u2019t been there very long and don\u2019t cover more than 10 percent of your body can also be dealt with over-the-counter products, like anti-itch creams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not sure about something and you don\u2019t have a relationship with a dermatologist, your primary care provider is a good starting point. \u201cThat provider may be able to help you decide if you need to see a dermatologist and even help you get in sooner if there\u2019s a concern,\u201d says Piliang.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Ready to book a doctor\u2019s appointment? Visit\u00a0Zocdoc.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/h1>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Your skin doc can treat issues from your head to your toes. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":19805,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[227],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19804","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","reviewer-dr-nassim-assefi","specialist_by_city-dermatologists"],"yoast_head":"\nWhen Should You Really See a Dermatologist? - Guides<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A guide to how often you should see your dermatologist and what common skin issues you can treat at home instead.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/when-should-you-really-see-a-dermatologist\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"When Should You Really See a Dermatologist? 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