Preparing for an appointment

You may start by seeing your primary care doctor. He or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in skin disorders (dermatologist) or a specialist in diseases of the joints, bones and muscles (rheumatologist).

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

• Symptoms you've been having and for how long
• All medications, vitamins and supplements you take, including the doses
• Questions to ask your doctor

For morphea, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
• Are there other possible causes?
• Do I need any tests?
• How long will these skin changes last?
• If the skin discoloration and hardening clears up, will it ever come back?
• What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
• What side effects can I expect from treatment?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
• What can I do to improve my appearance?
• Do you have any brochures or other printed materials I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

• When did you first notice changes in your skin?
• Has this ever happened before?
• Do the changes come and go or are they constant?
• What steps have you taken to treat this condition yourself?
• Have any of those measures helped?
• Have you ever been treated by a doctor for this condition?
• If so, what were the treatments? Did they help?
• Have you had any difficulty chewing food or swallowing?
• Have you experienced extreme cold sensitivity in your fingers or toes?
• Have you noticed any other changes in your general health?