Skin rashes can come in mild to severe health symptoms. If you set up an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist, you can make your appointment optimally fruitful and aid your doctor to come up with an accurate diagnosis leading to a successful treatment course by following these helpful advices:
Make note of your condition – Taking notes about your rashes can aid your doctor in accurately diagnosing your skin rashes. You can make notes of:
- How long you have had those rashes
- Any physical changes of your rashes
- When did you first notice the appearance of the rashes
- If the rashes got any larger and more widespread since you first noticed their appearance
- The known and other possible factors that have caused the rashes
Also write down if any toiletries or cosmetics like soaps, perfumes, creams or lotions you have used may have generated the rash. You can also tell you doctor if you break out in rashes when exposed to certain detergents, heat or exposure to the sun or even when you’re in severe stress.
Preparing for your Doctor’s Appointment
On the day of your appointment, your skin should not be exposed to any perfumes, ointments, creams or lotions. When you take a bath, use a soap that uses no scent. You should wear comfortable and loose clothing to enable your doctor to easily examine your skin. Do not wear any metals like watches and jewelries on your appointment. Also do not get new tattoos prior to your appointment.
If you have a skin irritation that has lingered for a week or so, then you need to see a doctor to see if you suffer from underlying health conditions.
The doctor will observe closely your rash. You can ask questions to your doctor like:
- What kind of rashes do I suffer from? Are they contagious?
- Are there many kinds of rashes?
- What has caused my rash?
- What are the best treatments for my rash?
- What are the side effects of rash medications?
- Can some of these medications be habit forming?
- Can it be permanently cured?
- Can may rash lead to serious complications?
- What changes to my skin care are good for my skin during winter and summer?
- What other changes do I need to make to care better for my skin?
- What steps do I need to take if my rash symptoms worsen?
- How can I stop my itching?
- Do I need to see other professionals like a dermatologist for my rash?
- Are there any alternative or complementary therapies I can opt for?
- Is acupuncture effective for my rashes?
- What supplements and foods do you recommend for my rash?
- What foods or supplements do you deem I should avoid?
Your doctor will need to ask you questions regarding your rash, hygiene, diet and medical history. He will also:
- Recommend medications to mitigate your symptoms
- Refer you to a skin specialist like a dermatologist
- Take samples of your skin for testing
- Request tests like complete blood count, allergy test or a skin biopsy
If you rash is deemed to be very serious and life threatening, the doctor may even recommend surgery for you.
After performing a physical examination, your doctor will query you about your symptoms and medical history and symptoms. These questions can be:
- Do you have underlying health conditions like allergies or asthma?
- Do you suffer from symptoms like scaling or itching?
- Have you eaten any unusual foods just recently?
- Have you recently been bitten or stung by an insect?
- Have you recently been in any wooded areas?
- Have you tried using new cosmetics, lotions, detergents or soaps just recently?
- Are there things that make your rash worse or better?
- What areas of the body are affected?
- When did your rashes start?
Bhakti Acupuncture
7550 France Ave S #220
Edina, MN 55435
Phone: (952) 230-1212
bhaktiacupuncture.com