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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 directly to a specialist in skin diseases (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
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Make a list of all medications, including vitamins, herbs and over-the-counter drugs that you're taking. Even better, take the original bottles and a written list of the dosages and directions.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor. Don't be afraid to ask questions or to speak up when you don't understand something your doctor says.
List your questions from most important to least important in case your time with your doctor runs out. For psoriasis, some basic questions you might 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?
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 any 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?
- Gudjonsson JE, et al. Psoriasis. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/popup.aspx?aID=2983781. Accessed Jan. 26, 2009.
- Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/common_psoriasis.html. Accessed Jan. 26, 2009.
- Bodemer AA. Psoriasis. In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/117935134-4/796383039/1494/116.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50073-9_3554. Accessed Jan. 26, 2009.
- Questions and answers about psoriasis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/psoriasis/psoriasis.htm. Accessed Jan. 26, 2009.
- Fluhr JW, et al. Emollients, moisturizers, and keratolytic agents in psoriasis. Clinics in Dermatology. 2008;26:380.
- Feldman SR, et al. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of psoriasis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 26, 2009.
- Feldman SR, et al. Treatment of psoriasis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 26, 2009.
- Aloe. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
- Capsicum. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
- Fish oil. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Jan. 28, 2009.
- Traub M, et al. Psoriasis: Pathophysiology, conventional and alternative approaches to treatment. Alternative medicine review. 2007;12:319.
- Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 29, 2009.
- FDA statement on the voluntary withdrawal of Raptiva from the U.S. market. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW01992.html. Accessed April 9, 2009.
- FDA approves new drug to treat psoriasis. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm183851.htm. Accessed Oct. 27, 2009.
