When You Visit a Dermatologist

If you have been following this column, you would have realized by now the importance of your skin and the need to consult a properly- trained dermatologist for your skin problems.

At this point, if you do not know of any dermatologist, you can call Tel. No. (632) 723-0101 loc 2015 (office of the Philippine Dermatological Society) and the person who will answer can give you the name of one or more member dermatologists whose office is near your residence or place of work.

When you finally go for consultation, expect your doctor to ask you in detail the nature of your complaint, how long it has been, what you have applied as topical treatment, who else has the same problem in your household, and several more questions including your state of health and if you are on regular medications.

She will also ask you about your family history, your hobbies, your social activities, plus other relevant information that she feels will help elucidate your problem. In examining your skin, she then may ask you to strip down to your undergarments and with the help of a bright light and a magnifier, record your skin findings on your chart. Thoroughness is a hallmark of a good physician, and the dermatologist is no exception to this rule.

Once a diagnosis or an impression is made of your skin problem, the dermatologist then proceeds to explain what the problem is and how best to manage it. At this point, you have every right to ask all the questions that are in your mind including your apprehensions and your doubts.

Discuss options for treatment and be very clear on the advantage of one over the other. A dermatologist appreciates a patient who is interested and who desires to be properly informed.

If a surgical procedure is contemplated, know what it is for, how experienced your doctor is, what to expect by way of pain or discomfort and how to care for it afterwards. If you feel that you need time to think it over or would like to get a second opinion, feel free to express this to your doctor. But be aware that putting it off indefinitely may compromise you.

Supposing the management of your skin problem only requires the application of a topical medication, as in mild acne for example. The dermatologist will probably prescribe a gentle cleanser, a topical antiseptic or antibiotic, and a cream which will remove your blackheads and whiteheads.

The instructions on how to use theses products must be very clear to you and must be properly followed to ensure their effectiveness.

Do not think that if the medications are applied thickly they will work better; indeed, this is a waste of money and may even cause irritation.

You must also realize that if the medicines work for you, you should not freely recommend them to your relatives and friends. Treatment is highly individualized and best done under the care of a physician. It is also true that you must not try other people’s medications even if you see how well it improves their skin.

A frequent source of apprehension encountered in a dermatological practice is the use of oral steroids for skin diseases.

Most of the negative reactions of patients are often rooted in hearsay because of a friend who died while taking steroids or because they have read that steroids are bad which is why they are banned in sports.

While it is easy to correct the latter statement in that the banned steroids in sports are the anabolic varieties, not the anti-inflammatory ones, the earlier statement may have arisen because the patients receiving steroids who died were very sick in the first place. In fact, properly-used steroids have saved hundreds of lives. What is important is that you must be under the care and supervision of your doctor while on steroid therapy.

The use of topical steroids also deserves to be mentioned here as they remain the mainstay of treatment for numerous inflammatory skin diseases.

The amount and duration must be followed faithfully as specified by your doctor. Remember that if used on localized areas of the body for a very short period of time, the danger of the steroid being absorbed is very minimal if it exists at all.

If your skin lesions do not respond as expected given a certain period of use, you must return to your doctor and have her re-evaluate your skin problem. You may have developed a complication like a secondary bacterial infection and your doctor is the best person to address this new development. Trusting your doctor and communicating with her freely is your best guarantee of getting well.

Before I end this article, may I say a few words about creams and lotions or any medications bought from a dermatologist’s office.

These must be properly labeled at all times in their generic formulations and the instructions for their use clearly indicated in your prescription. If this is not done, insist on it.

You have the right as a consumer to know what you are buying, what it is for and how to use it. You also have the right to ask if other drugs may be substituted for these that can be bought at the local drug-store. Remember that a good dermatologist will always place your best interest over and above her financial gain. Be aware of your rights and go and exercise them.