Acne Diagnosis

FAQ on Dermatology

Ready to see the dermatologist?

It can be scary to see a doctor for the first time. Learn more about what to expect at the dermatologist so you can arrive calm, cool, collected, and prepared to answer all the right questions.

What is a Dermatologist?
What is dermatology?
What happens during a visit to the dermatologist?
What should I expect from my visit to the dermatologist for my skin problem?
How can I help my dermatologist make the right diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment for my skin condition?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a Dermatologist?
A dermatologist is a physician—a medical doctor—who is trained and qualified to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of skin diseases and skin disorders. At least 90% of dermatologists’ time is spent in direct patient care.

What is dermatology?
Dermatology is the science of human skin biology and those diseases and syndromes that can cause skin changes.

What happens during a visit to the dermatologist?
Typically there are three elements to an examination: Patient History, Physical Examination and Laboratory Evaluation.

  • Patient History—the dermatologist will ask you questions about your past medical history, family history, and how you’ve been feeling lately.
  • Physical Examination—the dermatologist will check out your skin and gather information about your condition. They will look at what kinds of lesions you may have, how many there are, and where they are located.
  • Laboratory Evaluation—sometimes a dermatologist may need to run some tests to confirm a diagnosis.

What should I expect from my visit to the dermatologist for my skin problem?

  • An interest in you, your condition and your concerns
  • A medical/dermatologic history that is relevant to your skin condition
  • A physical exam that covers all areas you’re concerned about
  • A reasonable explanation of the diagnosis (or suspected diagnosis) and any tests or procedures that may be necessary for investigation or confirmation
  • A complete explanation of any prescribed medication and/or treatment

How can I help my dermatologist make the right diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment for my skin condition?
1. Provide your dermatologist with an honest and accurate history of your condition.

  • When did it start?
  • Where did it start?
  • What have you put on it, either over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription, either yours or someone else's?
  • What makes it better or worse?
  • What do you think is the cause?
  • Does it itch? Does it hurt?
  • Does the itch/hurt wake you from sleep at night?
  • Did you ever have this before? What was it called?
  • What was it treated with? Did it get better with the treatment?
  • Does or did any of your family members have the exact same thing?

2. Bring all your medicines, both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription, in the exact same containers that you keep them in. Make sure to tell your dermatologist:

  • What medications do you take on a regular basis, either prescription or OTC?
  • What medications do you take sometimes, either prescription or OTC
    • Are you allergic to any medications, either prescription or OTC? What happened when you tried the medication you are allergic to?
    • Do you have other allergies (such as to foods, things you touch, etc.)? What happens when you encounter something you are allergic to?
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