Skin. We all have it. A lot of it! In fact, it’s the largest organ in the human body and caring for it is crucial to overall health and well-being. Many people deal with chronic issues such as rosacea or acne, many others have acute concerns such as rashes pop up. One in five will have skin cancer during their lifetime. And everyone wants to have beautiful skin!
Experienced, board-certified dermatologists like those at Apex are the best resource to deal with these and all skin conditions. In total, our board-certified dermatologists are uniquely qualified to treat 3000 different types of conditions!
But how do you know when to see a dermatologist? Since some skin conditions go away on their own, it can be difficult to determine which warrants a trip to your favorite dermatology office.
Here are some common skin conditions, their symptoms, and advice on when it’s time to book an appointment with your dermatologist as told by our very own Dr. Lauren Karpinski!
Common skin conditions and their symptoms
Problems can manifest on your skin in many different forms. These are some of the most common reasons we see people come into the dermatologist and what you should watch out for yourself.
1. Rash on the legs/stasis dermatitis
You may develop a rash on your legs, also known as stasis dermatitis. This presents as skin discoloration of the angles or shins, itching, thickened skin, and even open sores. Dr. Karpinski says:
“This condition is often confused with a skin infection and inappropriately treated with antibiotic and blood thinners, which can be dangerous.”
Treatment for stasis dermatitis requires compression stockings and sometimes topical treatments. Patients with severe swelling may require more aggressive interventions.
2. Warts
We all know the old tale of how warts come to be. They’re a small, usually flesh-colored benign growth caused by a virus. Although they’re harmless, they’re not very pleasant.
Over the counter methods don’t work, dermatologists are able to offer more efficacious treatment options than primary care physicians, including additional treatment options for warts resistant to liquid nitrogen.
Dr. Karpinski would rather check it out for herself:
“My advice is to skip the primary care and the drug store, and just come straight to a dermatologist. You’ll save money, time and have a quicker resolution.”
3. Poison Ivy
If you ever went camping as a kid and woke up with an irritating, itchy rash, you may have brushed up against some poison ivy.
The symptoms are redness, itching, swelling, blisters, and overall discomfort.
“Poison ivy can seem to clear up, but then come back with a vengeance if not treated properly with an extended therapy. Dermatologists are uniquely qualified to treat this and all other skin conditions. So to ensure you don’t extend your discomfort, just come right to us!”
4. Acne
You’ve no doubt had to deal with acne at some point in your life. There are countless products over the counter that promise an “instant” fix to your acne but most of them don’t work well.
Visiting a dermatologist is the single best way you can get rid of your acne. We not only look at the type of acne you have, but also your skin type, lifestyle, and any environmental factors that could cause problems with your acne. Then we prescribe a specific regimen designed to fit your needs.
However, some patients who come in to see us for acne actually suffer from rosacea.
Dr. Karpinski explains more:
“Acne and rosacea can actually look really similar but often require different treatments to clear them up. Over the counter treatments can be ineffective and can even make things worse. For these conditions, you want to make sure you’re seeing a dermatologist who can identify the distinguishing characteristics of each condition, and diagnose and treat effectively.”
5. Annual full skin exam
You should absolutely see a dermatologist once a year for your annual exam. This is crucial for maintaining the health of your skin and also ensuring you don’t have any life-threatening skin conditions like skin cancer.
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their life and catching it early is your best bet to beat it!
And the best part? Most insurances cover your annual visit so it’s of little to no cost to you.
“Skin cancer is very common, and can look similar to acne pimples. Little red bumps that look a lot like pimples, but don’t go away, may actually turn out to be skin cancer.”
Here at Apex Dermatology, we have our SPOTcheck program. With this program, we offer to check any growth or lesion of concern within 24 hours so you don’t have to worry.
6. Hair concerns
Dermatology isn’t just about your skin. In fact, most people don’t realize that dermatologist are actually trained to diagnose and treat hair-related concerns.
“People don’t realize that in addition to skin, dermatologists are also experts in hair and nail conditions. If you have concerns, the best place to start would be a dermatologist.”
7. Skincare product advice OR cosmetic treatment advice
Not all skincare products are created equal. While one product may work wonders on your friend’s skin, it might actually do more harm than good on your own.
One of the biggest issues when it comes to patient skincare is when they use the wrong products for their skin type and condition.
Here at Apex Dermatology, “We have knowledge and experience to help people make good choices with skin care product purchases. We want to help ensure you get a good result for your investment. Additionally, we have medical-grade treatment options that would provide the most dramatic result to address their cosmetic concerns.”
Don’t waste another day! Book an appointment with us so we can get to the bottom of your skincare concern. Let’s put you on the right track toward healthy, happy skin.
Dr. Karpinski grew up in Brecksville, Ohio and attended Miami University for her pre-medical training. During her time at Miami University, she studied Zoology and Neuroscience and received multiple awards for her research in the field of Neurobiology. Dr. Karpinski returned to Northeast Ohio to attend medical school at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Her interest in Dermatology quickly became her passion, and she delved into research focusing on new and innovative techniques for pre-cancer and skin cancer treatment.
