Primary Care Doctor or Dermatologist?

Most skin conditions caused by allergies can be easily fixed by over the counter medications. However, those who get allergy symptoms for the first time are in a quandary as to whom to approach best when seeking diagnosis for their skin condition. Should it be a dermatologist, a primary care doctor or a specialist? 

Generally, when you experience a skin rash for the first time a general service provider or a primary care physician can do the job, provided you know where the condition stemmed from. Examples of skin condition that suddenly flare without warning usually reacted to some kind of food you ate, an environment you’re not familiar with, dusts, and other factors that are not considered medically serious. You should definitely see your primary doctor first for common and simple skin problems.

With that in mind, skin allergies can be tricky to identify because their reaction vary to some degree. Most however, occur one to two days after exposure. Some may be caused by an allergic reaction or worse, from an unknown illness or stress, while others are more severe like kidney or renal failure.

When and whom to call depends on the gravity of the allergic reaction, but some clear cut delineation are in order. Remember, the sooner you get rid of a rash or other skin conditions the better.

You should contact a dermatologist if these symptoms exist:

• Bleeding blisters or swelling
• Peeling of the skin
• Over-the-counter remedies aren’t helping
• It hasn’t improved after 2 days of medication
• It is spreading to other parts of the body
• There is some amount of pain involved

Aside from the above mentioned symptoms dermatologists are able to diagnose faster what is the root cause of skin problems, not to mention scar prevention during its early stage.

The rule of thumb is not to take mild skin conditions lightly. A skin problem is sometimes one of the first sign of inflammation in your primary organs, including the lungs, kidney and liver.