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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, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a skin disease specialist (dermatologist).
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot 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 what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your appointment. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For rosacea, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What might be causing the signs and symptoms?
- Are tests needed to confirm the diagnosis?
- What is the best course of action?
- Is this condition temporary or chronic?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
- Can I wait to see if the condition goes away on its own?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
- What skin care routines do you recommend to improve my symptoms?
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 several questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over other points you want to discuss more. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- How often do you experience these symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous, or occasional?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
- Questions and answers about rosacea. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rosacea/rosacea_ff.pdf. Accessed Sept. 11, 2008.
- Rosacea. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/Rosacea.htm. Accessed Sept. 11, 2008.
- van Zuuren EJ, et al. Systematic review of rosacea treatments. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2007;56:107.
- Goldstein BG, et al. Rosacea. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 11, 2008.
- Habif, TP. Acne, rosacea, and related disorders. In: Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby, Inc; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/104473933-3/746280137/1195/43.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50009-1_567. Accessed Sept. 11, 2008.
- Colloidal silver. National Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 22, 2008.
- Emu oil. National Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 22, 2008.
- Laurelwood. National Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 22, 2008.
- Oregano. National Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 22, 2008.
- Vitamin K. National Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 22, 2008.
