what to expect from a dermatologist ?

**plainjanegirl** · January 27th, 2009, 09:10 AM

OK so as some of you may no I have been battling with some hair loss issues for some time now. All the different doctors test my thyroid and it is fine. One doctor told me she thought I had some dandruff and it would cause hair loss. Well nothing has gotten any better. So I finally asked if I could be referred to a dermatologist. So it looks like I will be seeing one in a few weeks. When I spoke with the receptionist at the dermatologist office I asked if it is better to come with freshly washed hair and she said it does not matter. I also told her that I have never been to a dermatologist and don't know what to expect....I asked so will they have a good idea of what is causing the hair loss after the first visit and she said oh yes. I was dreading this because I thought it would take several appointments before they came up with a good idea of what is going on. It doesn't help that it is an hour away. So who has been to a dermatologist and what was your experience? Did it help?

**spidermom** · January 27th, 2009, 09:14 AM

I went to a dermatologist for acne issues. They're individuals so I'm sure that the person you're seeing will be different from the one that I saw. Mine seemed completely indifferent, and I'm not even sure that she listened to me. The treatment she prescribed did seem to help for awhile, but like everything I try on my own, it quit working. Best wishes; I hope you get some definitive answers and a cure.

**plainjanegirl** · January 27th, 2009, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by spidermom

I went to a dermatologist for acne issues. They're individuals so I'm sure that the person you're seeing will be different from the one that I saw. Mine seemed completely indifferent, and I'm not even sure that she listened to me. The treatment she prescribed did seem to help for awhile, but like everything I try on my own, it quit working. Best wishes; I hope you get some definitive answers and a cure.

Ok so I probably need to open my eyes up and not get high hopes. I am praying and keeping fingers crossed that it does help cause if not then I feel like I am stuck and I give up.

**longhairdreams** · January 27th, 2009, 09:24 AM

I dont have anything to add about Derm's, but I just want to say good luck with your appt.

**helen2806** · January 27th, 2009, 09:38 AM

I've been to two different dermatologists about acne and they were both really nice and helped me a lot - but like spidermom said yours might be different. hope it goes well though

**bjt** · January 27th, 2009, 09:41 AM

Hey there! Don't despair... sometimes you gotta keep going to get new opinions until you find someone that can help you. Its frustrating, but don't give up.
I think going to a dermatologist is a good idea. but, like all doctors, there are good ones and bad ones.
I had terrible acne when I was young, and have had continued skin problems now that I'm an adult so I've seen a bunch. sometimes you go in and some jerk tells you to get a laser treatment and walks out. but I kept at it until I found a good, caring dermatologist who has helped me.

My doctor is in manhattan--if your interested in her name, just PM me. When I first met her I thought she was 14 (a sure sign of getting older!) but she's been really knowledgeable and helpful.

I suggest going to this doctor with a list of questions in hand. be clear about what the problem is and see how he responds. If he's vague, unhelpful or dismissive then move on to the next one. But hopefully this doctor will have some answers for you.

good luck!

**Curlsgirl** · January 27th, 2009, 12:12 PM

Good idea to have a list ready and if he/she seems in a "rush" just don't be timid to take the time you need for answers. My experience has been that like a regular physician much of the diagnosis is trial and error. There are so many different things a skin condition can be that sometimes they try something just to see if it works. For example, I had an itchy, bumpy rash on my face only for several years. I went to supposedly the best dermatologist in the area and he said it was Rosacea. He gave me some medicine and it did not help. BUT Rosacea is hard to treat evidently and I assumed he knew what he was doing. So then, after no relief, about a year later I went for another opinion. He said it was not rosacea but adult acne. He gave me another medicine that helped a tiny bit but still I had little relief. FINALLY, I went on the Atkins diet. It was purely coincidental that it all went away in about three weeks. I realized finally that it had been a wheat allergy and since Atkins calls for no BREAD that's what gave me relief. SOOOOOOOOOO there ya go.

Be ready for some trial and error and so as much research as you can yourself to be as well-informed as possible.

One more thing, thyroid is easy to misdiagnose also so if you have all the other symptoms don't give up. Find a good endocrinologist.

**Beloved** · January 27th, 2009, 11:20 PM

Going to a dermatologist was a complete waste of time and money for me when I was dealing with hair loss. He said I had seborrheic dermatitis and should use a few OTC shampoos for that. He said seborrheic dermatitis does not cause hair loss, but that mine was probably seasonal. I knew something was wrong with me, but I could tell he wasn't going to be helpful.

I had to figure out on my own that the problem was nutritional.

If I were you, I would see an endocrinologist rather than a derm.

**plainjanegirl** · January 27th, 2009, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by Beloved

Going to a dermatologist was a complete waste of time and money for me when I was dealing with hair loss. He said I had seborrheic dermatitis and should use a few OTC shampoos for that. He said seborrheic dermatitis does not cause hair loss, but that mine was probably seasonal. I knew something was wrong with me, but I could tell he wasn't going to be helpful.

I had to figure out on my own that the problem was nutritional.

If I were you, I would see an endocrinologist rather than a derm.

What is the difference between a endocrinologist or a dermatologist?
I am kinda limited with my current insurance. The dermatologist is an hour away from me.