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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou're likely to start by first seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. However, you may then be referred to a doctor who specializes in skin disorders (dermatologist), or if you have a severe infection, you may first be seen by an emergency room doctor. You may also be seen by an infectious disease specialist.
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Write down key personal information, such as if you've had any recent surgeries, injuries, animal bites or even insect bites. However, you may not always be aware of a small break in your skin.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking, along with the dosage.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Preparing a list of questions can help you make sure that you cover the points that are important to you. For cellulitis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- How might I have gotten this infection?
- What kinds of tests do I need? Do these tests require any special preparation?
- How is this treated?
- How long before the treatment starts working?
- What kinds of side effects are possible with this medication?
- Are there any alternatives to antibiotics?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
- How can I prevent this type of infection in the future?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment any time you don't understand something.
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?
- Do you remember any injuries to that area? Or insect bites?
- How severe is the pain?
- Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
- Are you allergic or intolerant of any antibiotics?
- Have you had this type of infection before?
What you can do in the meantime
You may need a prescription antibiotic to clear your infection. However, while you're waiting for your doctor's appointment, you can wash the injured area with soap and water and then apply an over-the-counter antibiotic cream or ointment.
- Cellulitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec10/ch119/ch119b.html. Accessed Nov. 16, 2009.
- Baddour LM. Cellulitis and erysipelas. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 12, 2009.
- Stevens DL. Infections of the skin, muscle, and soft tissues. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2860782. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Eron LJ. In the clinic: Cellulitis and soft tissue infections. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2009;150:1.
- Bernard P. Management of common bacterial infections of the skin. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 2008;21:122.
- Lawrence Gibson, M.D. (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 27, 2009.
- Carl Anderson, M.D. (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 21, 2009.
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