How to Prepare for a Dermatologist Visit: What to Bring and What Happens

A dermatologist visit usually takes 20–30 minutes. In that time the doctor has to understand the problem, examine your skin and make a plan. Patients who come prepared get an accurate diagnosis faster. Here is what to bring, what not to do and what happens at the visit.

What to bring

• A list of medicines and creams you use now or used in recent months, including ointments you bought yourself. If you can, bring the packs or photos of them.
• Earlier test results and reports — blood tests, biopsies, other doctors’ conclusions.
• Photos of the rash — if it comes and goes, photograph it at its worst.
• Your questions — write down the 2–3 most important.

What not to do before the visit

• Do not put cream on the rash on the day — the doctor needs to see the skin as it is.
• Remove nail polish if the problem is in your nails — a fungus test needs a clean nail.
• Before a mole check, do not tan and do not try to burn anything off yourself.
• Skip make-up if the problem is on your face.
• Do not stop medicines unless the doctor says so — especially steroids and tablets.

What happens at the visit

1. Talk: when it started, what makes it worse, whether relatives have something similar, how you have treated it.
2. Examination: the doctor looks at your skin and, if needed, hair and nails. A dermatoscope is often used — it shows moles and spots magnified, painlessly.
3. Tests (if needed): a fungus test, blood tests, sometimes a biopsy when the diagnosis is unclear.
4. Plan: diagnosis, treatment, home care and the follow-up date.

Useful questions to ask

• What is my diagnosis, and is it contagious?
• How long will treatment take and when will I see results?
• Which creams should I stop?
• Which signs mean I should come back straight away?

When not to wait

• A mole grows quickly, changes colour or shape, or bleeds.
• A rash spreads fast or comes with fever, pain or blisters.
• A sore has not healed for several weeks.

At Radeski

Dermatovenereologists see patients at the Fergana and Kokand branches. Dermatoscopy, the lab and biopsy are in one clinic, so the diagnosis is made without referrals elsewhere. First and follow-up visit prices are on the prices page.

Read more: Dermatologist in Fergana, Dermatologist in Kokand, Mole checks and dermatoscopy, Skin biopsy in Fergana.