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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. However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to either a dermatologist or podiatrist.
To make the most of your time with your doctor, it's a good idea to prepare for your appointment.
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 questions to ask your doctor.
Jot down all the questions for your doctor regarding your condition, from the most to least important. For nail fungus, questions might include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
- Are there other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
- What tests do I need?
- What is the best course of action?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
- I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
- Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? Are there Web sites you recommend?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand.
- Onychomycosis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec10/ch125/ch125c.html?qt=nail%20fungus&alt=sh. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Goldstein A, et al. Onychomycosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Nail problems. American Podiatric Medical Association. http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/Foot-Health/FootHealthBrochures/GeneralFootHealthBrochures/NailProblems.aspx. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Watanabe D, et al. Successful treatment of toenail onychomycosis with photodynamic therapy. Archives of Dermatology. 2008;144:19.
- De Berker D. Fungal nail disease. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;360:2108.
- Hinojosa J, et al. Which antifungal is best for toenail onychomycosis? The Journal of Family Practice. 2007;56:581.
