Teaming-Up with the Doctor

You may not know it, but your doctor has a special assistant when treating your chronic skin allergy condition. He or she may not have been to medical school, and may have never even dealt with skin conditions. However, without this person's help, treating your skin condition effectively would be almost impossible.

In case you haven't figured it out already, you're that special assistant. Your physician is dependent on you for information and involvement at each phase of treatment: correct diagnosis, proper treatment, and controlling the condition over time. Here are some tips for helping your doctor, provided by the National Institutes of Health:

Prepare a set of questions. It is usually beneficial for you to write down your questions before seeing your physician. By doing this, you can organize your thoughts, and may help you think of a question you hadn't thought of originally. A written list will also make sure that nothing goes unaddressed when you see the doctor.

Tell your doctor everything. Let your doctor know everything you know about your medical history, symptoms, and habits. Prior to your first visit, you may have to fill out a thorough medical questionnaire. Even if the questions don't seem relevant, answer them anyway. This questionnaire aides your doctor eliminate other possible problems which could be the causes of your symptoms. Your medical history can also help to locate specific possible allergens if your doctor thinks you might have Skin Allergies.

Make sure you're clear on everything. Keeping chronic skin conditions under controls usually entails caring for your skin yourself, like a regular skin-care routine, or changing habits to stay away from triggers. If you are unclear about your physician's directions, feel free to ask. If you can't reach your doctor, a pharmacist or nurse will be able to help you out. It could still be helpful to speak with other staff members at the doctor's office, even if you feel comfortable about the management plan. They might have some helpful hints from dealing with other patients with skin conditions.

Don't be embarrassed by certain questions. Several sufferers of chronic skin conditions are ashamed or embarrassed by their problems. Others might get frustrated when their management plans aren't successful in stopping every flare-up at first. Emotions of stress and anger can have an adverse effect on symptoms already present, and could cause flare-ups. Let your physician know if you're being affected by negative emotions associated with your skin allergy. He or she can suggest a local support group.

Talk about medication changes with your healthcare provider. If you think that the side effects of a certain treatment could be a problem, ask your physician about potential alternatives or different dosages. Always talk to your doctor before you stop taking a medication. Certain medications can be hazardous if you abruptly stop treatment, like oral corticosteroids. If you accidentally miss a dose, consult your physician.