2 Reasons You Should Absolutely Go To The Dermatologist

During your daily life, you likely do not often think about going to your primary care physician's office, let alone a specialist like a dermatologist. In fact, many people never go to the dermatologist for any form of routine care or checkup, let alone if they have a major problem or crisis with their skin. However, there are some instances in which you should absolutely go to the dermatologist rather than wait it out or go to a general practitioner for care. Get to know some of these scenarios and you will be well on your way to having healthy skin for many years to come.

You Are Prone To Skin Cancer Or Have A Family History

While anybody can contract skin cancer at some point in their lives no matter what tone or type of skin they have (particularly if they also engage in any reckless sun-related behavior), there are some people who are more prone to skin cancer than others. Extremely fair-skinned people are often more likely to develop skin cancer due to sun or tanning bed exposure than other people. In fact, even minimal exposure to the sun without protection can cause problems.

If you are fair-skinned, and especially if you are also a redhead, you will want to examine your own skin very frequently while also going to the dermatologist on a semi-regular basis to have your skin surface examined. This can be annually or every few years depending on your doctor's recommendations.

Additionally, if you have a family history of skin cancer, you will want to go to the dermatologist in your late teens or early twenties and continue to do so regularly. This will help to ensure that if you do develop skin cancer or suspicious looking growths, you will be able to address the issue sooner rather than later.

You Have Prolonged Or Chronic Itching

You do not have to go to the dermatologist every time your skin itches. However, there are some times in which the itching you experience may need to be addressed. If you have a skin rash or itch that lasts for more than a week without any signs of improvement, this is a sign you should schedule an appointment with a dermatologist.

Even if the itchy patch of skin is very small, you may be having some kind of allergic reaction, a fungal infection like ringworm or even a patch of skin cancer. You could also be suffering from psoriasis or eczema, both of which are treatable once properly diagnosed. Do not ignore a chronic or prolonged itch assuming that it will go away on its own. So, while you may think a little itch is no big deal, it can be a sign of many problems if you are not able to get rid of it on your own within a week or so.

Now that you know two of the reasons you should absolutely go to a dermatologist, you can make sure that you are taking the best possible care of your skin now and into the future. The better you care for your skin in your youth, the better you will look and feel later on in life. Visit a dermatologist like Billings Clinic for more information.

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