Your skin is the largest organ in your body and reveals a lot of details about your underlying health. Your skin is also crucial to your overall appearance and it is therefore not surprising that skin conditions can have profound psychological impact.

Dermatologists are responsible for diagnosing and treating well over 2000 skin conditions, including skin cancer, inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis as well hair and nail disorders . Dermatology treatments range from simple topical treatments to more complex oral medications and even medications referred to as immunesuppressants that work by altering the way the immune system functions. Dermatologists also undertake skin surgery including different types of skin biopsies and removal of skin lesions if clinically required.

Despite the popularity of skincare, patients may not be aware of all the different treatment options available for a particular condition . Educating patients on available dermatology treatments empowers them to make informed decisions, improving both skin health and confidence

In this guide:

What to expect from your initial consultation?

Your initial consultation will be done as a teledermatology consultation. Whilst traditionally patients were seen face-to-face in clinic, the teledermatology model that is now widely used will allow patients to be seen virtually.

The dermatology consultant will review all the relevant information regarding your skin including the GP referral, the information provided by yourself and any relevant photographs of your skin.

Based on this information, the dermatologist will decide on the next course of action. The information provided may be enough for the dermatologist to be able recommend a number of treatments based on that. Based on the information provided, the dermatologist may recommend a number of investigations including blood tests , clinical photography or even a skin biopsy.

At times, the dermatologist may want to gather more specific information about your skin problem or may want to discuss a specific treatment with you in more detail. On these occasions, the dermatology consultant will arange for you to have a telephone consultation with a dermatology doctor to gather this information.

The dermatologist may also arrange for you to be seen in the hospital if your condition is deemed to be too complex or severe to be managed via teledermatology

When you visit your dermatologist for the first time, they’ll want to inspect your skin (the problem area) and understand how the condition developed. You may be asked if you’ve taken any pictures, as this can be useful way to show how the skin problem has evolved over time. The consultation will involve two stages:

Medical history

The dermatologist will ask your symptoms and concerns. They will inquire about when the symptoms began, how they have progressed, and whether there are any triggers you’ve noticed.

A detailed medical history will also be taken, which includes questions about your family’s medical history, any previous skin conditions, medications you are taking, and lifestyle factors like sun exposure or allergies.

Physical examination

Following the initial teledermatology consultation, the dermatologist may feel that a face-to-face examination of your skin may be clinically required. In cases of widespread skin conditions or concerns about moles or lesions, a full-body skin check may be recommended to ensure no other areas are affected.

Certain skin conditions such as acne requiring treatment with Roaccutane also require two face-to-face appointments at the beginning.

a physical examination of the affected area will be performed. Dermatologists use specialised tools, such as dermatoscopes, to closely examine the skin for abnormalities. In cases of widespread skin conditions or concerns about moles or lesions, a full-body skin check may be recommended to ensure no other areas are affected.

Dermatology diagnostic procedures

Following your initial teledermatology consultation, your dermatologist may recommend further tests. Some of these tests require travelling to a specific location.

Potential diagnostic procedures include:

  • Skin Biopsy. A small sample of the affected skin is removed and sent to a laboratory for microscopic analysis. Your dermatologist may recommend a skin biopsy if there are concerns about skin cancer, dysplastic or atypical moles, chronic rashes, or other skin diseases. The results will help guide future treatments.
  • Patch Testing. Usually advised if you are suspected of having allergic contact dermatitis. This is a condition where the skin has an allergic reaction to a specific trigger. In the patch test, small patches containing allergens are applied to the skin, usually on the back, and left in place for 48 hours. After this period, the dermatologist examines the skin for signs of a reaction.
  • Blood Tests. Your dermatologist may order blood test to look for any autoimmune disorders, infections or vitamin and nutritional deficiencies that can worsen skin problem.
  • Imaging Tests. Non-invasive imaging techniques such as plan Xray films or ultrasound scan may be used to further investigate your skin problems
  • Skin swabs/skin scrapings/nail clippings: skin swabs or scrapings/nail clippings may be requested to exclude a bacterial or fungal infection.
  • Clinical photography: medical photography may be used to take high quality images of a rash or a skin lesion. A special lens called a dermatoscope is also used to take images of moles or any abnormal growth at much higher magnification in order to visualise subtle features that aid with diagnosis.

Common dermatology treatments

Once you’ve received your diagnosis, you’ll be given a personalised treatment plan. Skin condition treatments vary depending on the severity and nature of the skin problem.

Topical Medications

Topical medications are the first line of defence against many skin conditions. Applied directly to the skin, they include creams, ointments, and gels. Conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis often respond well to topical treatments, which can contain corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, retinoids to promote cell turnover, and antibacterial agents to target infection.

Oral Medications

If topical treatments aren’t effective, oral medications may be necessary. These include:

  • Antibiotics are often prescribed for bacterial skin infections or inflammatory conditions like acne and rosacea.
  • Steroid tablets: A short course of steroid tablets can help settle down flare up of eczema or some of the inflammatory skin conditions.
  • Immunosuppressants and Biologics are commonly used for very severe chronic inflammatory conditions like eczema, psoriasis etc; these drugs help modulate the immune system’s response to prevent flare-ups but are only available within a hospital setting.

Injectable medications:

Steroids can be injected directly into the affected area of skin known as intralesional steroid injection. This treatment can be used for small localised patches of hair loss in a condition called alopecia areata

Phototherapy:

Phototherapy involves using controlled doses of ultraviolet (UV) light to treat conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo. Often used when topical treatments are ineffective. Phototherapy requires multiple sessions over several weeks or months.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Alongside the more traditional skin condition treatments, dermatologists may recommend minimally invasive procedures commonly used by the cosmetics industry. These include:

  • Cryotherapy
  • Laser therapy
  • Chemical peels
  • Microneedling

Surgical Treatments

The dermatology consultant may suggest a biopsy of your rash if it does not respond to treatment that was previously recommended. Skin biopsy can also be undertaken if there is a changing skin lesion or an abnormal growth. A removal (excision) of an abnormal growth can also be undertaken if required. This requires travelling to specific locations.

Get a Fast Dermatology Review with Medefer

When your GP refers you to a specialist for a dermatology concern, you can choose Medefer. Rather than waiting weeks, a consultant will review your case within 48 hours. If further tests are required, Medefer will manage everything, from scheduling tests to ensuring prompt follow-up care.

Next time you need a non-urgent dermatology referral, ask for Medefer. Contact us at patients@medefer.com or call 08000 112 113.

Written by
Medefer team
Published On
September 30, 2024