When Do I Need A Specialist For Skin Troubles?
Healthy, clear and youthful-looking skin is something all of us desire. But when we first enter puberty, the growth and hormonal changes in the body often mean the appearance of pesky pimples that seem to be there forever. Once you successfully pass the puberty phase, the appearance of these pimples may slow, or even completely disappear in some people. However, for many others, it remains constant, becoming a source of worry and loss of self-esteem.
While a primary care doctor may be able to help treat mild cases of acne and other skin troubles, some cases require the help of more experienced professionals for a deeper study. This professional is also known as a dermatologist and is a doctor who specialises in the health of your hair, skin and nails. However, in Australia, to get your Medicare rebate for an appointment with a dermatologist, you need to have a GP referral, which is why it is so important to see a GP first to get a Medicare specialist referral.
Here are a few reasons why a GP may refer you to a specialist for skin troubles:
Severe Acne
If your acne is not responding to over the counter treatments or any of the medications your primary doctor has put you on, it might be time to go to a specialist. This is because there are many different kinds of acne, and the causes also differ. Some types of acne may be caused by significant hormonal changes, such as right before menstruation in women, during puberty or pregnancy or due to abnormal hormone fluctuations in the body. Knowing the cause of your acne can help your doctor tailor treatment around it. Severe acne may also lead to scarring and pitting in the skin, which is why seeing a dermatologist for proper treatment often becomes necessary.
Skin Cancer
A primary care doctor who suspects skin cancer may refer you to a specialist for more in-depth screening. If you belong to a high-risk group: fair-skinned or light-eyed, you may need to be checked yearly for changes to your skin. These changes may present themselves as lumps or bumps under the skin, a mole that suddenly changes colour or size or starts bleeding. Early detection is necessary to remove cancerous cells that may spread and become potentially dangerous. A dermatologist may remove part of the affected skin and inspect it under a microscope to determine if the cells are cancerous.
Rashes
As a general rule, any rash that covers more than 10% of the skin on your body should be looked at by a dermatologist, especially if it is accompanied by fever, chills, muscle ache or insomnia. This is because while these rashes can be signs of an allergic reaction, they can also be initial warning signs of more serious autoimmune diseases such as lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome or hypothyroidism. Any kind of inflammation that persists even after treatment should be looked at by a specialist doctor.
Chronic skin conditions
Some chronic skin conditions may be managed by your primary care providers, such as mild cases of rosacea, psoriasis or eczema. However, for more serious cases that may indicate deeper problems, seeing a dermatologist may be best.
Additionally, if an open wound or ulcer doesn’t heal or gets worse a week or two after their first appearance, talk to a dermatologist about potential causes. Many underlying conditions, such as diabetes or a zinc deficiency may slow down wound healing, exposing open sores to serious infections.
Hair loss
Hair loss can be caused by a number of different factors, including genetics, stress, illness and hormonal changes, as well as bacterial infections. A dermatologist may be able to get to the root cause of your hair loss and create a treatment plan designed around the underlying cause.
How Prime Medic can help
If you’ve noticed changes in your skin, moles or have developed bumps or lumps under the skin or are suffering from acne, rosacea or any other painful skin condition, get in touch with one of our online doctors to get a quick referral to a specialist. With Prime Medic, you no longer have to worry about making an unnecessary trip to your GP when all you need is a specialist referral! Simply log in to our app, select the medical condition and specialist you need a referral for, fill in a quick, online questionnaire, pay a small fee and get your referral. It’s as simple as that!
Unsure whether you even require a specialist referral? Get in touch with one of our online doctors through video consultation and have them look at your skin condition and determine if you do need to see a specialist. Because seeing a specialist in Australia can be very expensive without a Medicare rebate, make sure to get a Medicare specialist referral from us before you book an appointment with your dermatologist!
