Preparing for an appointment

You'll likely start by visiting your or your child's primary care practitioner. However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a doctor who specializes in treating skin conditions (dermatologist).

Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well-prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and know what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

Before your appointment, write a list that answers the following questions:

• What symptoms are you experiencing?
• What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
• What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
• What medications and supplements do you take on a regular basis?

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 you first begin experiencing symptoms?
• Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
• Have you had similar lesions in the past?
• Has anyone close to you had similar lesions?