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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner, who may refer you to a dermatologist. 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, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
- Write down any questions you'd like to ask your doctor.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous, or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
- Have you had eczema or other allergic conditions in the past?
- Do you have specific allergies to certain substances such as rubber, glues, fragrances, for example?
What you can do in the meantime
Until your doctor's appointment, you can take over-the-counter antihistamines, such as Benadryl, to help control the itching. You may also find that wet or cold compresses may ease your symptoms.
- Weston WL, et al. Overview of dermatitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 28, 2010.
- Habif TP. Pompholyx. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier. 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..X0001-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&uniq=207915498#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00012-2--s0390%3Bfrom%3Dcontent%3Bisbn%3D978-0-7234-3541-9%3Btype%3DbookPage. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Wollina U. Pompholyx: What's new? Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs. 2008;17:897.
- Wolff K, et al. Dyshidrotic eczematous dermatitis. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies. 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5190831&searchStr=eczema%2c+dyshidrotic. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Veien NK. Acute and recurrent vesicular hand dermatitis. Dermatologic Clinics. 2009;27:219.
- Berger TG. Pompholyx; vesiculobullous hand eczema (formerly known as dyshidrosis, dyshidrotic hand eczema). In: McPhee SJ, et al. CURRENT Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. 49th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies. 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=1209&searchStr=eczema%2c+dyshidrotic. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 6, 2010.
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