10 Reasons You Should See A Dermatologist

When it comes to the priority of medical appointments, the dermatologist may be towards the bottom of that list for most individuals. 

It may be time to rewire that thought process! Dermatologists are great for the severe stuff – like diagnosing skin cancer – but also for the harmless – or what we may consider harmless. Here are a few reasons you may want to avoid WebMD and call your Dermatologist.

Let’s start simply: 

• You notice that you’re starting to develop dry, itchy, and/or irritated skin. Yes, this can be seasonal and very much nothing at all. But, if you find any of these conditions last more than a week, you may want to call your Dermatologist. It could end up being seasonal… or it could be a condition like eczema.
  • Especially if you find that your red, flaky, itchy skin isn’t being relieved by over the counter medications. It could seem as if these conditions are caused by sensitivity, weather, genetics, etc. However, there’s a chance it could be an underlying skin condition. 
  • Skin conditions like eczema are overall medical terms to describe several skin conditions that could cause swelling of the skin. The most common type is called atopic dermatitis. This normally affects babies and children in the form of a rash. 
  • Normally found around the cheeks. Some rashes are even known to leak fluid. Talking to a Dermatologist can not only allow for further examination but also help with relief. Custom over the counter prescription creams and other medicines can help ease up any symptoms when it comes to this condition. 
• You notice persistently red and flushed skin. If you’re experiencing this, it could be the result of rosacea. Often these tend to prevent themselves similar to acne and are really an underlying condition. See your dermatologist. they can help with specific treatment for your condition. 
  • Rosacea is a skin condition that has also been known to affect the eyes. People who have rosacea often look flushed with a redness that normally presents itself on the chin, nose, cheeks, and sometimes the chest. In more serious cases, the skin will swell and thicken. This skin condition is more common to develop in people with lighter skin. The cause of rosacea is unknown but is considered to occur when the blood vessels under the skin begin to expand too quickly. Normally connected to elements like the wind, cold, exercise, sunlight, alcohol, stress, or spicy foods. Which are also considered triggers and can make already existing symptoms much worse. Unfortunately, there is no cure for rosacea but there are treatments to help control the symptoms. 
• You have lighter or darker patches of skin everywhere else on your body. Sometimes skin spots are just cosmetic and sometimes they’re worth looking further into when there are other serious conditions that can result in light or dark spots. Your Dermatologist can assess them and determine if there is a reason for concern. 
•  Although there are preventative measures for stubborn acne, over the counter products, cleanses, and fad diets may not always present a solution. Which leaves your acne front and center. Talk to your dermatologist about treating persistent acne. They can help prevent acne from coming back and reduce scarring with treatments like skin cream, chemical peels, laser therapy and/or oral mediation. Being one of the most common skin conditions in the United States, it’s easy to treat. Including whiteheads, pimples, deep cysts, and blackheads. Normally they form because oil glands in the skin produce too much of a substance called sebum. Sebum tends to clog pores along with bacteria. It’s common among teenagers but acne can happen at any age. They can appear anywhere from the neck, back, face, chest, and shoulders. It’s normally nothing to worry about but can affect confidence. Without proper treatment, it can also leave permanent scarring. No matter what you’re dealing with, a dermatologist can provide the right treatment or the type and cause.
• You notice a mole that is constantly changing in size or shape. Even when it comes to moles you were born with, and definitely moles that recently appeared. It’s imperative to schedule yearly exams with your dermatologist. Even more so, if you notice the mole changes in shape, color, or size. Additionally, if they are itchy, painful, scabbing, bleeding, and nonhealing. Moles can be an early sign of skin cancer that can be developed in all skin tones and types. 
  • In Americans, skin cancer is the number one form of cancer. Which is also hard to diagnose. Dermatologists normally can perform a full-body skin exam to screen for skin cancer. Fortunately, skin cancer is the easiest to cure with early detection. However, the most dangerous type of skin cancer is melanoma. It can be a fatal form of skin cancer linked to skin growths that change in shape, thickness, size, color, or texture. Talk to your dermatologist to check spots on your skin that may bleed, hurt, crust, itch, and/or scab. Routine checkups can help prevent long-term detriment and keep you in the early stages of detection. It’s good practice to examine your skin once a month for changes, specifically in moles. 

• You noticed rough and/or scaly patches on your body. It is often that people with this condition find that the root cause of this problem is psoriasis. Psoriasis is caused by an autoimmune disorder. This autoimmune disorder sends signals to the immune system to grow skin cells at a rapid rate. This causes a pile up of skin on the surface. Which looks like thick, red scales called plaques.
  • These can take the form of silvery scales that normally appear on the elbows, legs, scalp, knees, face and even on the bottom of the feet. Even less common but still possible are the genitals, fingernails, and/or inside the mouth. Your dermatologist can normally diagnose psoriasis by looking at a skin sample under a microscope. Talk to your dermatologist for recommended skin treatments like topical creams or oral medications that can soothe the skin and help it heal depending on the level of your condition. 

• If you notice bald spots or a lot of hair loss. The culprit could be a cause from a couple different things. However, discussing this with your dermatologist will help you assess what is happening and discuss specific action to treat it. 
  • If you’re noticing more hair on the floor than on your head, you could possibly have a scalp disorder. Starting preventive therapies before hair loss becomes greater the longer you wait to address it. Dermatologists can recommend therapies and other treatments to help remedy the problem. Which can range from stress, pregnancy, or an inherited condition. Although many people lose up to 100 hairs a day, thinning hair can be a sign of underlying conditions and problems. To find out possible issues, dermatologists may do blood tests and take tissue samples from the scalp. Remedies can be anything from laser treatments, medications, or surgical procedures that can help restore hair loss and promote growth. 

• If you notice rashes or itchy hives that won’t go away. This could be related to Itchy hives or rashes that won’t go away. It could be a multitude of things like an infection or allergic reaction. A dermatologist can help with answers and prescribe medications as a form of treatment to help alleviate the issue.
• Warts. They’re very common and not considered harmful. But like acne, it can affect your confidence or appearance if it’s in a very obvious place. Dermatologists can apply cold treatment, wart medication or remove the wart by cutting it out. 

When You Need to See a Skin, Hair and Nail Specialist

There are thousands of conditions that can affect the skin beyond common skin problems like blemishes and wrinkles. Some may be mild, some may be severe and affect you in your everyday life. Signs like pain, itching, rashes, pus, and redness are all in the realm of needing a dermatologist. At times, you may need even further help when treating the skin, and specifically the hair and nails. Some treatments may improve conditions, other treatments may save your life. 

General Advice

Using over the counter skin care products can help but not all of them are created equal. Some may be more effective than others and others may not be effective at all. When it comes to your skin, it would behoove you to get optimal information based on whatever it is you’re dealing with. It’s important to have someone who understands what you’re going through, hoping to achieve, and improve when it comes to skin care. From basic acne, anti-aging, to skin cancer, a dermatologist like Dr. Balshi is really great to have on your side. 

Whether you’re struggling with pesky acne, need or want treatment for other skin conditions, have itchy patches, hair loss, moles, warts, hives, and/or red/ flushed skin. Think about seeing a dermatologist. They can help you take the next step to feeling good about your skin again. 

Even if you aren’t looking for anything in particular or have any specific conditions, but you’ve been out in the sun regularly… A yearly screening for skin cancer is extremely important and possibly life saving. 

Call Dr. Balshi in South Florida For All Your Dermatology Needs

To schedule a preliminary consultation about your skin questions and concerns, call board-certified dermatologist in Delray Beach, contact Balshi Dermatology at (561) 272-6000 or send us a message on our Contact Page to set up your appointment.