What Does A Dermatology Consultation Involve
At South Texas Family Medicine and Urgent Care Center, a dermatology consultation begins with a review of your medical history and a discussion of your symptoms. Afterward, your provider physically examines your skin and checks it for warning signs of potentially serious issues like skin cancer.
Once your provider makes a diagnosis, they develop a custom treatment plan that aligns with your needs. That might include:
- Laser therapy
Here Are Five Signs You Should Head For The Emergency Room Instead
Again, these are general. If you think you need emergency care for something that isnt on this list, seek it.
For instance, an allergic reaction involving swelling in your tongue and mouth can impact your breathing, which deserves emergency attention. Severe shortness of breath can also be a sign of a cardiovascular issue such as a heart attack. No matter the cause, always seek emergency care if your ability to breathe is compromised in an alarming way.
Chest discomfort on the left side, which could signal a heart attack, generally deserves prompt medical attention. This could present as straight-up pain, but it might also feel like pressure, squeezing, or as though that area is strangely full, according to the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute. This discomfort can be mild or intense, persistent or intermittent.
With that said, women are more likely to experience lesser known symptoms of a heart attack, like shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and pain that radiates into the back, shoulders, and jaw. If youre experiencing any of these, go to the emergency room or call 911.
This is especially important if youre more prone to heart attacks due to being over 55 or having other heart attack risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and a family history of this health issue.
You can think of the stroke symptoms to watch for with the acronym FAST, the Mayo Clinic says:
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Urgent Care And Family Practice Located In Hilton Head Sc
When you have a rash or suspicious-looking skin growth, you may need dermatology services to determine whether the skin condition is a cause for concern. Main Street Medical in Hilton Head, South Carolina, provides dermatology services, including everything from skin biopsies to the treatment of jellyfish stings. Trust the expertise of Joel Johnson III, MD, who has served the community since 1998. Call today or book your dermatology consultation online, or opt for a walk-in visit for immediate service.
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What To Expect During A Skin Exam
Skin exams are non-invasive and require no prep work, making it easy to pop in for a quick exam whenevers convenient for you.
Before the exam begins, your doctor will likely ask you to remove just your shirt and pants. Theyll then begin closely examining your skin for any abnormalities or signs of skin cancer. Typically, the process takes around 15 minutes to complete.
Find out more about the skincare services offered at our Urgent Care Centers by calling our Bloomfield location or our Plymouth location. We serve patients from Plymouth MI, Bloomfield Hills MI, Livonia MI, Novi MI, Worden MI, Canton MI, Southfield MI, Troy MI, and Farmington Hills MI.
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Urgent Care Centers Generally Cost Less Than Emergency Rooms
Of course, what youll pay will depend on your insurance, but urgent care is often much cheaper.
Because most urgent care clinics dont have as much equipment or specialist availability as an emergency department, the cost to provide care is less, and many insurance companies will require a lower copayment for evaluation, Paul L. Nadler, M.D., medical director of adult urgent care and a clinical professor of medicine at the University of California at San Francisco, tells SELF.
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Skin Cancer Warning Signs: When To Worry About That Mole
Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, but its also one of the easiest to treat. Early diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment, so its important to know the warning signs. Routinely checking your skin enables you to identify problems and seek prompt treatment.
Skin
Getting to know your skin helps you to spot problems early on.
Knowing what is healthy for your skin makes it easier to notice any changes. Check your skin once a month, including the areas that are usually covered by clothing.
Cancerous moles and lesions can occur anywhere on the body, not just on the skin that is exposed to sunlight. Skin cancer in men occurs most commonly on the back, while in women it often appears on the legs.
New Moles and Growths
A new mole, lesion or growth on the skin can be the first sign of skin cancer. However, the majority of new moles will be completely harmless. Make a note of any new moles and take a photograph, using a ruler or other object to show the size and scale of the growth. Check the growth again a couple of weeks later to see if there are any suspicious changes.
Skin Changes
Changes to existing moles should always be checked by a doctor, even if youve had the mole for a long time. A mole that gets bigger, changes shape or changes color could be a sign of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.
A Doctor Will Usually See You More Quickly At Urgent Care
Since emergency rooms prioritize life-threatening health problems, urgent care can get you in and out more quickly if you have a minor medical concern. the ER, patients often wait hours to be seen for their potentially non-life-threatening concern, Alexis Halpern, M.D., an emergency medicine physician at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, tells SELF.
There are even some technology-based urgent care services where you can see a provider ASAP, such as NYU Langones Virtual Urgent Care center. For $126 , people in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania can book appointments to see an NYU Langone doctor virtually for nonemergency concerns.
Were going to go ahead and emphasize that nonemergency bit. If you need care for a concern that feels like a serious threat to your health, the emergency room is a better option than virtual or even IRL urgent care. Also, emergency rooms are open 24/7, whereas many urgent care centers are closed late at night, Dr. Tan says. They do typically stay open later than doctors offices, though.
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What Does Beginning Of Skin Cancer Look Like
This nonmelanoma skin cancer may appear as a firm red nodule, a scaly growth that bleeds or develops a crust, or a sore that doesnt heal. It most often occurs on the nose, forehead, ears, lower lip, hands, and other sun-exposed areas of the body. Squamous cell carcinoma is curable if caught and treated early.
Shedding Light On How To Save Yourself From Skin Cancer
While healthcare experts urge people to wear sunscreen, solar-protection clothing, and hats whenever theyre outdoors, most people only protect the most obvious parts of their body like their face and arms. They completely overlook the rest of their body and put themselves at risk. Fortunately, medical experts have shared the following smart and simple strategies for protecting yourself from skin cancer:
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 all over your body, from the top of your forehead to the soles of your feet, whenever youll be exposed to the sun.
- Always wear a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.
- Examine your toenails and fingernails regularly.
- Ask your hair stylist or family member to periodically take a close look at your scalp.
- Continually reapply sunscreen every few hours when outdoors, after youve been in the water, and when youve been sweating.
- Visit a dermatologist on a regular basis for professional skin cancer screenings.
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How Often Should I Have My Skin Examined
Just like an annual physical, you should have your skin checked for abnormalities once a year. If you have a family history of skin cancer or have been previously diagnosed with the disease, you may want to go two to four times a year.
An annual exam isnt the only thing you can do to protect yourself against skin cancer. Once a month, you should look at your own moles and freckles, and make mental notes about what they look like. When checking yourself, keep the skin ABCDEs in mind:
- Asymmetry: Most healthy moles are symmetrical, meaning you could draw a line down the center and both halves would look the same.
- Border: Unhealthy moles tend to have an uneven or scalloped border.
- Color: Melanomas tend to be several shades of brown. Melanoma can also present as a red, white, blue, or black mole in more advanced stages.
- Diameter: Healthy moles are typically no bigger than the size of a pencil eraser.
- Evolving: Any changes in the shape, color, size, or texture of a mole should be mentioned to your doctor during your annual exam.
How Can I Expedite A Dermatology Appointment
Make an Appointment:Jennifer Walker MD
Getting in for a dermatology appointment isnt always easy especially in Cincinnati but there are a few ways to speed up the process when youre concerned.
You have to be persistent, Dr. Walker points out. And, get in to your primary care doctor first to have them take a look. If they are concerned for melanoma, they can help you expedite an appointment.
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Types Of Skin Cancer We Treat
Our skin cancer specialists treat all types of skin cancer, including:
- Basal cell carcinomaBasil cell carcinoma can be flat, raised or shiny. It can be red, pink or clear in color. Some larger basal cell cancers may be crusted over or ooze. They may also heal and come back.
- MelanomaAlthough melanoma is one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer, it can be completely cured if found early and completely removed. Most melanomas are brown, blue, black or multicolored with brown, red, blue and black areas. Melanomas may itch or bleed, but most melanomas cause no symptoms. Look for moles with irregular shapes or borders.
- Squamous cell carcinomaSquamous cell carcinoma is usually a new growth. They look like cuts that have not healed, and they may bleed easily. They may also have a hard, rough or scaly appearance.
How Can You Tell If A Spot Is Cancerous
How to Spot Skin Cancer
- Asymmetry. One part of a mole or birthmark doesnt match the other.
- Border. The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
- Color. The color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
- Diameter.
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Referral To A Skin Cancer Specialist
Your GP should arrange for you to see a specialist if you have symptoms that could be due to certain types of non melanoma skin cancer. Depending on your symptoms and other factors, this might be an urgent referral.
Some GPs have had special training and are able to treat a type of skin cancer called basal cell cancer . So you might not need a referral to see a specialist.
How We Diagnose Skin Cancer
If your dermatologist spots a suspicious mole or skin lesion, you may need a biopsy. Well remove a portion of the affected skin tissue to determine if its cancerous and what type of cancer it is.
Our melanoma tumor board takes a team approach to treating melanoma. This team, which includes medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, nurses, and support staff members, reviews every patients case together and discusses appropriate treatment options.
Your dermatologist and the skin cancer team will work with you to create a treatment plan thats right for you. If you need surgery or if you have a pigmented lesion, we encourage you to get a second opinion.
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You Can Find Skin Cancer On Your Body
The best way to find skin cancer is to examine yourself. When checking, you want to look at the spots on your skin. And you want to check everywhere from your scalp to the spaces between your toes and the bottoms of your feet.
If possible, having a partner can be helpful. Your partner can examine hard-to-see areas like your scalp and back.
Getting in the habit of checking your skin will help you notice changes. Checking monthly can be beneficial. If you have had skin cancer, your dermatologist can tell you how often you should check your skin.
People of all ages get skin cancer
Checking your skin can help you find skin cancer early when its highly treatable.
How Can Skin Cancer Impact Your Life
Receiving a skin cancer diagnosis is a life-changing experience. Fear, anxiety, depression, and other emotions can run rampant, regardless of your specific diagnosis and treatment options. For many, although diagnosis may be scary, there are treatment options and ways to manage and improve your condition.
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Doctor Er Or Urgent Care Guidelines For When To Go Where
When health issues pop up suddenly, it isn’t always easy to be sure just where to turn for help. Should you speed to a hospital emergency room, seek help from a nearby urgent care clinic, or call your doctor?
The correct answer is: It depends. Monday on TODAY, NBC News medical contributor Dr. Natalie Azar offered these basic guidelines:
- If you experience a life-threatening, time-sensitive health problem, go to the emergency room.
- If the situation is urgent but not life-threatening, go to urgent care.
- For routine problems, make an appointment with your doctor.
Is There A Peptic Ulcer Diet Plan
No particular diet is helpful for people with peptic ulcers. At one time, a bland diet and avoidance of spicy or greasy foods was recommended. Milk and dairy food have been used in the past for ulcer symptoms, but have not been proven to be effective. We now know diet has little effect on ulcers. In some people, however, certain foods seem to aggravate stomach ulcer symptoms. Keep a food diary with your intake and the resulting symptoms and avoid eating any foods that aggravate symptoms.
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What Happens During A Dermatology Skin Biopsy
Before your biopsy, your provider at Main Street Medical applies a numbing cream to the area around the biopsy site. Or they may inject a numbing agent to make sure you remain comfortable during your dermatology procedure.
Your provider then takes a small sample of skin tissue. For example, during a shave biopsy, they use a small blade to scrape away part of the abnormal tissue. They take such a small sample that you typically dont need stitches.
During a punch biopsy, your provider uses a narrow device that penetrates more deeply into your skin. This type of biopsy removes all or almost all of a suspicious skin lesion.
Your provider may recommend this kind of biopsy to evaluate a rash. Afterward, you may need a few stitches to help you heal.
If youre concerned about an odd-looking growth, or suffering from an uncomfortable rash or skin infection, Main Street Medical offers high-quality dermatology services and convenient same-day appointments. Call today or schedule your visit online.
About Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute
As part of Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, our family of hospitals provides comprehensive cancer services with convenient access to cutting-edge therapies for people facing cancer in our communities. From diagnosis to treatment and survivorship care, our oncology expertise ensures you have access to locally trusted care with the support of a globally recognized network.
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Causes Of Stomach Pain
Stomach pain questionnaire
Stomach pain covers discomforts, cramps, and sharp pains, felt between your pelvis and rib cage. Common causes include stomach bugs, food poisoning, gas, or acid reflux, or a chronic condition like irritable bowel syndrome or an ulcer. If the pain is intense or you also have vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or other symptoms, you may need to see a doctor to get diagnosed and treated.
Which Skin Conditions Do Dermatology Services Address
Your skin is the largest organ in your body. Its also exposed to the elements, making your skin prone to a range of health issues. This includes:
- Skin cancer
- Lesions
- Athletes foot
If youve noticed a change in your skin, the team at Main Street Medical provides dermatology services in a convenient office setting. They evaluate your condition, then recommend an appropriate course of treatment based on your type of skin condition.
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Referral To The Specialist Skin Cancer Mdt
Your GP or doctor from the Local Hospital Skin Cancer MDT will refer you to the Specialist Skin Cancer MDT if you:
- have a rare skin cancer
- have SCC or melanoma that is at higher risk of coming back or has come back
- have any type of skin cancer that has spread to another part of your body
- need treatment that the Local Hospital Skin Cancer MDT doesn’t provide
- are taking part in a clinical trial
How To Detect And Prevent Skin Cancer
Health Tips CareCentral Urgent Care
May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, and a great time to learn about strategies to detect and prevent skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with 1 in 5 Americans developing it in their lifetime. Fortunately, when diagnosed and treated early, skin cancer can almost always be cured.
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