Preparing for an appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your primary care doctor. You may be referred to a specialist in skin conditions (dermatologist).

What you can do

Before your appointment, you might want to list answers to the following questions:

• Have you recently traveled to a new area or spent significant time outdoors?
• Do you have pets, or have you recently had contact with new animals?
• Are any family members or friends having similar symptoms?
• What medications or supplements do you take regularly?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:

• When did your skin condition first appear?
• Does your rash cause any discomfort? Does it itch?
• Have your symptoms become worse or stayed the same over time?
• Have you been treating your skin condition with any medications or creams?
• Does anything seem to improve — or worsen — your symptoms?
• Do you have any other health conditions, such as diabetes or thyroid problems?