Do I Need To See A Dermatologist For Eczema

What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider About Eczema

• How can you tell that I have eczema?
• If I dont have eczema, what other skin condition might I have?
• Is there a specific brand of moisturizer that you recommend?
• Is there a prescription cream that you can prescribe?
• How often should I see a dermatologist regarding my eczema?
• What soaps, lotions, makeup, etc. should I avoid?
• What medications do you recommend?
• What at-home treatments do you recommend?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Eczema is very normal, very common, and very, very uncomfortable. It can affect your quality of life. At its worse it can keep you from sleeping, distract you and make you feel self-conscious in public. See your dermatologist or other healthcare provider as soon as you start to see signs of it. Explore at-home remedies and prescribed treatments.

Youre not alone! 15% to 20% of people experience eczema or another type of dermatitis at some point in their lives.

How These Practitioners Can Help

Both of these doctors can provide allergy testing when necessary. For instance, a dermatologist may perform a skin patch test to determine the cause of your skin reaction. An allergist may also perform a skin patch test and more in-depth allergy testing.

A dermatologist can help you choose products that are less likely to irritate your skin. An allergist may provide medications to help you manage your allergies and even provide immunotherapy to reduce your sensitivity to that substance.

Fortunately, you wont be at a loss regardless of which doctor you choose to see. If you see a dermatologist, and they cannot diagnose or treat the underlying cause of your symptoms, they will simply refer you to an allergist and vice versa.

Differences Between A Dermatologist And An Allergist

Even if something gives us an allergic reaction, most of us cant help ourselves from enjoying the allergen such as eating certain foods, petting furry animals, or hanging out with friends in the pollution-filled city.

Once you have an allergic reaction, your skin may start to get reddish and patchy. Perhaps youre suddenly getting this reaction, and youve never been allergic before.

But who should you visit to have this treated, a dermatologist or an allergist? Lets take a look at these two different types of medical specializations and who would be best to diagnose and treat your sudden skin reaction.

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Do I Have Eczema A Patient Story

Sometimes its hard to tell if you have eczema for both patients and doctors. Angela is a 35-year-old African American woman. She has a history of allergies but is otherwise healthy. Several months ago, she started having patches of itchy skin. At first, Angela thought it might be a new laundry soap she used, so she switched back to her old one, but the itching got worse. She tried several over-the-counter lotions, which provided limited relief. Angela made an appointment with her primary care doctor, who listened to her symptoms, did a physical exam, but didnt observe anything obvious. The doctor thought it might be a new allergy and suggested Angela start taking over-the-counter allergy medication.

Several months go by and Angela is miserable. The allergy medicine did nothing to help her symptoms. She developed several patches of thick, itchy skin. The constant itching is causing her to lose sleep.Angela finally decided to make an appointment with a dermatologist who had experience treating African American patients. The dermatologist listened to Angelas story, evaluated her skin, and noted thickened patches of darker skin where she complained of itching. He diagnosed her with eczema and started treatment.After nearly a year of symptoms, Angela finally had a diagnosis and was hopeful the treatment would provide relief.

Eczema Research And Clinical Trials

We offer a number of clinical trials for patients with all types of eczema. We offer trials for topical treatments, pills, and injection medications in patients of all ages.

Some of these developments directly stem from research conducted in our Eczema Program. One such discovery is a treatment targeting a specific white blood cell called a T-helper 22 lymphocyte , which we found to be highly increased in eczema cases and associated with disease severity.

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When Should I See A Cosmetic Dermatologist

If you want any form of cosmetic skin treatment then you should always see a cosmetic dermatologist. They will correctly and safely administer the many cosmetic procedures available for the skin, such as wrinkle treatments, skin fillers and chemical peels. These treatments require an expert understanding of the structure and physiology of the skin and its underlying tissues – this expertise is an intrinsic part of the medical training a dermatologist undertakes in qualifying in this discipline.

How To Use Topical Corticosteroids

Do not be afraid to apply the treatment to affected areas to control your eczema.

Unless instructed otherwise by a doctor, follow the directions on the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.

This will give details of how much to apply.

Most people only have to apply it once a day as there’s no evidence there’s any benefit to applying it more often.

When using a topical corticosteroid:

• apply your emollient first and ideally wait around 30 minutes until the emollient has soaked into your skin, or apply the corticosteroid at a different time of day
• apply the recommended amount of the topical corticosteroid to the affected area
• continue to use it until 48 hours after the flare-up has cleared so the inflammation under the skin surface is treated

Occasionally, your doctor may suggest using a topical corticosteroid less frequently, but over a longer period of time. This is designed to help prevent flare-ups.

This is sometimes called weekend treatment, where a person who has already gained control of their eczema uses the topical corticosteroid every weekend on the trouble sites to prevent them becoming active again.

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Atopic Dermatitis Treatment At Rush

During your initial visit, your dermatologist will discuss potential allergens causing your skin soreness, inflammation or redness.

• Patch testing: You will then undergo patch testing over a series of appointments to determine the exact cause. During a patch test, a doctor puts small amounts of suspected irritants or allergens on your skin to determine which ones are causing flares.
• Avoiding irritants: Your doctor will discuss allergens you should avoid.
• Skin products: Your doctor will recommend skincare products that are safe to use, such as mild skin cleansers and moisturizers that might calm skin and lower the risk of flares.
• Medications: You may need topical and oral medications that can help reduce inflammation.
• Light therapy: Your doctor may recommend light therapy treatment, which can help prevent the exaggerated immune response that leads to inflammation

While there are no cures for eczema, our dermatologists will attempt to manage it as best as possible. Every case of eczema is different, so our Rush dermatologists, along with immunologists and other experts, will create a personalized treatment plan that will work for you and your lifestyle.

What Is Right For Your Skin

In short, both dermatologists and estheticians are licensed to care for your skin. However, they can do so to different degrees. In the dermatologist vs. esthetician debate, it really depends on your needs.

When it comes to understanding whats happening with your skin, you should always seek expert advice. Some situations require you to speak directly to a dermatologist. But if you are looking for a more relaxing experience you can still visit an esthetician.

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How Do I Choose The Best Eczema Specialist

When choosing an eczema specialist, you should find out about the specialist’s background and reputation by contacting the licensing board for physicians in your area and getting recommendations from your primary care physicians as well as the specialist’s current and former patients. If you suspect that the eczema is caused by an allergy, you may wish to find an eczema specialist who is also an allergist. Otherwise, working with a dermatologist may be another good option, as dermatologists specialize in the treatment of skin conditions. When you contact the office of an eczema specialist, be sure to ask about insurance acceptance and other financial matters so as to be sure that you can afford his or her services.

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that has several causes. In some cases, eczema may be caused by stress and anxiety, although it is also often triggered by allergies and sensitivities to food, fabrics, and personal care products. In many cases, you may not need to see an eczema specialist to receive relief from this condition. Many primary care doctors are able to diagnose and treat eczema and may be able to work with you to identify its cause. If you have a stubborn case, however, your doctor may advise you to seek advice from an eczema specialist.

What A Dermatologist Does

A dermatologist is a licensed medical practitioner who can legally diagnose and treat skin disorders. Dermatologists are required to complete medical school training and be board certified from the American Board of Dermatology or American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology . More specifically, dermatologists treat health of the skin and diseases of the hair, nails, and mucous membranes. There are well over 3,000 skin conditions/disorders and dermatologists can look for, test, and treat all of them. The most common skin conditions they see, however, are: dermatitis, eczema, acne, vitiligo, psoriasis, rosacea, fungal infections, moles/warts, shingles/herpes, and skin cancers.

Dermatologists are the only skin professionals who can prescribe medicines for skin conditions and skin disorders. Full stop. The most common prescriptions are for retinoids and hydroquinone at much higher percentages than what is made available over the counter, oral antibiotics and topical antibiotics. For the most part, products that you purchase from your esthetician are likely not the same as what may be prescribed by a dermatologist. Dermatologists are also the only skin professionals that can remove moles/warts and perform chemical peels and other treatments that penetrate into the dermis .

When Would You See a Dermatologist?

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How Can An Allergist/immunologist Help

An appointment with an allergist/immunologist for chronic hives isnt all that different than one with a dermatologist. However, if your allergist suspects an allergy, she may do allergy testing with blood tests or skin pricks. But, unlike the acute variety, chronic hives are rarely caused by an allergen. This specialist may also do more autoimmune tests to rule out an underlying autoimmune condition, including a chronic urticaria Index test to measure the amount of histamine in your blood.

“A positive CU Index is a value greater than or equal to 10which may point to a possible autoimmune conditions and other conditions that can be associated with histamine release,” says Clifford Bassett, M.D., an allergist/immunologist and assistant clinical of medicine at NYU Langone Grossman School of Medicine in New York City.

Treatments prescribed by an allergist will also typically include those high-dose oral anti-histamines, as well as histamine blockers. Bassett also prescribes Xolair injections for more complicated cases that dont respond to the oral meds. An allergist may also be able to counsel you on whats triggering your hives or making them worse . In the allergy community, we spend an extraordinary amount of time taking a detailed history, looking at your environment, and your exposure, Dr. Bassett says. Certain foods, medications, hot or cold weather, and products youre currently using can all factor in.

What Else Should I Know

If you live with eczema, tune in to what triggers it and how to manage it. For example, if you find that some types of makeup irritate your skin, ask a dermatologist to recommend brands that are less likely to do so.

Your self-esteem doesn’t have to suffer because you have eczema, and neither does your social life! Getting involved in your school and extracurricular activities can be a great way to get your mind off the itch.

Don’t forget to exercise. It’s a great way to blow off stress try walking, bike riding, swimming, or another sport that keeps your skin cool and dry while you work out.

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What Is A Cosmetic Dermatologist

A cosmetic dermatologist is a qualified dermatologist with further training in cosmetic procedures to improve the appearance of the skin such as removing harmless moles, treating sun spots or pigmentation, facial redness, and acne scarring. A cosmetic dermatologist is also able to offer anti-ageing treatments.

A Dermatologist Never Stops Learning About Eczema

To maintain their board certifications, dermatologists must keep up with new developments in their field. They must complete continuing education and renew their licenses every few years, depending on the state in which they practice and other factors. By following these requirements, board-certified dermatologists stay on top of new treatments and discoveries about the mechanisms involved in eczema, so they can then provide their patients with insightful, informed, and up-to-date treatment plans.

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Ad May Increase Your Risk For Some Eye Diseases

It seems that the more severe the AD, the higher your risk of developing certain eye diseases. At least, thats the finding from a 15-year study run in Denmark.

During this study, researchers looked at the medical records of adults in Denmark. In doing so, they discovered that those with AD had a higher risk of developing an eye infection called conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye.

Pink eye : Signs that you may have pink eye include:

• Pink color to your eye

• Watery, itchy eyes

• Eyes sensitive to light

• Wet, sticky or dry, crusty eyes

In this study, adults with AD also had a higher risk of developing the following eye diseases.

Inflamed cornea : This eye disease occurs when the eye becomes infected or inflamed. Warning signs include your eyes feeling:

• Painful or uncomfortable

• As if you have something in them

• Gritty

When caught early and properly treated, keratitis can often be cured.

Cornea changes shape

The cornea of the eye is normally round, as shown here.

Frequently rubbing your eyes can change the shape of your cornea. As the cornea starts to change shape, it begins to bulge. It becomes cone-shaped. This change in shape can cause the following warning signs:

• Nearsightedness
• Sensitivity to light, especially when driving at night
• Constantly changing prescription for eyeglasses or contacts

Signs of keratoconus

If you have any warning signs of keratoconus, ask your eye doctor to take a close look at the shape of your cornea.

When Do I Need To See A Dermatologist

When Do I Need To See a Dermatologist? You might not consider talking with a dermatologist when youre dealing with skin-related concerns. Sometimes you can resolve your skin issues through makeup, lotions, or other things you can find at your local drugstore.

But there are often times when you will need to contact a dermatologist for help. Here are some instances of times when you need to talk with such an expert.

Your Skin Becomes Inflamed

You might develop inflamed and itchy skin around certain body parts. The skin will swell and become red, and you might notice slight bumps in some areas.

Your dermatologist can talk with you about what triggers the inflammation and what you have been trying to use to correct the issue. Your dermatologist may find you have rosacea or eczema, or another skin disorder that requires extra assistance.

Such conditions will require different treatments, as some traditional lotions and other products you find at your local market might not work well against rosacea or eczema.

Skin Moles and Growths Appear

People often notice skin growths and moles around their bodies as they age. These arent always appealing, and they can be signs of skin cancer or another severe condition. These features could be signs of cancer if:

Contact your dermatologist immediately if you see any moles or growths that look unusual. You may be referred by your dermatologist to a doctor who can treat the issue before it becomes worse.

Noticeable Veins

Your Nails Are Weak

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Treatmentfrom Either Type Of Doccan Bring Relief

So, how are Hands hives on her neck right now? After a long period of being clear, theyre making a comeback , so shes returned to rubbing on topical steroids prescribed by her dermatologist. And White has continued to receive Xolair injections from her allergist-immunologist every four to six weeks for the past seven years. Ive never been in remission, she says. But, she adds, the regular shots keep her hives under control.

How Common Is Eczema

Eczema affects up to 15 million Americans. Infants are prone to eczema and 10% to 20% will have it. However, nearly half outgrow the condition or have significant improvement as they get older.

Eczema affects males and females equally and is more common in people who have a personal or family history of asthma, environmental allergies and/or food allergies.

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First Submit Your Request

No appointment necessary. Simply enter your symptoms and attach any relevant files or images. Your request will be securely sent to a Canadian-licensed dermatologist. You’ll hear from the dermatologist in a matter of hours.

If youre providing any photos, theyll need to be high quality click here for guidelines.

Consultations arent covered under provincial health plans since theyre conducted via secure text message, and often with an out-of-province doctor to ensure your request can be picked up quickly. They cost $180 and include the applicable diagnosis, and any necessary treatment plans or prescriptions.