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Relief for atopic dermatitis — the most common form of eczema — often hinges on finding a treatment that suits your skin. But not all options are created equal. Some contain ingredients that can make your skin feel worse, not better. In fact, some people say certain products cause burning that’s hard to ignore.
Finding a good dermatologist (skin specialist) can feel like an impossible task, but it doesn’t have to be. Once you know what to look for, you can connect with a doctor who will provide the care you need — helping both manage your symptoms and maintain your quality of life with atopic dermatitis.
When finding a specialist seems daunting, it’s easy to wonder if it’s worth it. After all, can’t your primary care doctor just treat your atopic dermatitis? Is it really that important to find a specialist?
First of all, a specialist is the best person to diagnose atopic dermatitis, whether it’s on your legs, your face, or somewhere else on your body. Atopic dermatitis may be difficult to tell apart from other skin conditions, like psoriasis.
A dermatologist knows what symptoms to look for and what questions to ask, such as:
They also understand that your atopic dermatitis symptoms may change.
Finally, a specialist has the tools to do tests like a skin biopsy, which means removing a small sample of skin to look at under a microscope. This can help confirm a diagnosis and guide your treatment plan.
A dermatology specialist can also help you figure out what might trigger your atopic dermatitis. They may recommend you see an allergist to determine if specific allergens — like pollen, pet dander, or certain foods — are making your atopic dermatitis worse.
Once you’re diagnosed, a specialist can design a treatment and skin care plan that’s specific to your needs. This could include topical medications such as creams, moisturizers, or ointments you put directly on your skin to help with itching and dryness.
If you have severe atopic dermatitis, treatment may include corticosteroids, biologics (medications made from living cells that help calm the immune system), wet wrap therapy, and phototherapy.
Keep reading for a few helpful tips on choosing a dermatology team that understands atopic dermatitis.
You may choose to work with a doctor who has expertise in treating atopic dermatitis specifically. Some dermatologists specialize in areas like cosmetic dermatology, pediatrics, or skin cancer surgery. You can find this information online or call around to find providers who specialize in treating atopic dermatitis. If you have chronic or severe disease, you can ask about a doctor’s experience in those areas as well.
Certain aspects of a provider’s experience and credentials may be more important to you. You’ll want to review a provider’s education and how long they’ve been practicing.
One member of MyEczemaTeam shared, “I like to look up doctors’ credentials before I see them. You can look up the top universities for dermatology and find a doctor from one of those schools.”
You’ll want to work with a specialist who knows about a wide variety of treatments and has access to them. One MyEczemaTeam member who learned about new treatment options from their doctor said, “Interesting. I learned about phototherapy at my dermatologist’s.”
Another discovered that all dermatologists don’t have access to the same treatments and procedures. They shared, “I have an appointment with a dermatologist who does light therapy, as the doctor last week did not!”
If there’s a treatment you want to try, make sure your new doctor offers it and has plenty of experience using it. Not all medical offices are equipped with the same devices and technology.
When looking for a dermatologist, a good place to start could be your network. If you know other people with skin conditions or atopic dermatitis, ask about their healthcare providers and whether they’re pleased with them. Ask if they would recommend those providers and why.
On MyEczemaTeam, this is a tried and true way to find good doctors. One member recommended, “Another route is to ask people you know and respect, ‘Do you see a dermatologist you know and respect?’ They can steer you in the right direction.”
You can also ask your primary care or family doctor to help you find a good dermatologist or allergy team in your area. They may have someone they refer to generally or specific recommendations based on what kind of skin issues you have.
Reviews from other patients can also help you choose the best atopic dermatitis medical team for your needs. You can find these on doctors’ websites, independent review websites, and Google.
When reading reviews, keep in mind where you’re reading them. Most doctors won’t post negative reviews on their own sites, so the ones there might only be positive.
On the other hand, many people only leave reviews on independent sites when they aren’t happy about something, so those might trend negatively.
Overall, you need to look at these carefully, and you may not want to base your decision solely on what you read online.
If you have insurance, you’ll likely want to visit a dermatologist or allergist who accepts it. Once you have a list of possible providers, contact your insurance company or visit their website. They should be able to tell you which ones are part of their network. These will be the most affordable for you.
If you’re considering any specific treatments for atopic dermatitis, make sure these are also covered. Some insurance companies won’t cover certain treatments, or they’ll make you get authorization before you can use it. This can happen even if the doctor’s visit is covered. I
f you need to get preapproval, or prior authorization, for a treatment, your doctor will need to work with your insurance company to make that happen.
Sometimes, the best dermatologists and allergists have very full schedules, which can make it hard to get an appointment. You may have to wait weeks or months before you can get in for an initial appointment.
In some cases, this might be worth it. If you’re seeing the best specialist in your area for atopic dermatitis or the only person who offers a treatment you’re interested in, you may want to wait.
On the other hand, if you’re having a bad flare-up, you might want to be seen as soon as possible. If you’re very uncomfortable and atopic dermatitis is getting in the way of your everyday life, this might be the right option for you.
It’s also important to remember that you’ll probably need follow-up visits. Sure, you can make these appointments ahead of time, but you’ll also want to know if your doctor has availability on an emergency basis, too.
While you’ll probably want to meet your new doctor in person at least once, you may want to find someone who offers telemedicine for follow-up visits. Telemedicine includes meeting with your doctor over the phone or a video conference. It may also include sending medical records and information electronically.
Telemedicine visits can be great for when you just need to check in with your provider. They may also allow you to see doctors who are further away. When you don’t have to go to the office for every visit, you can work with a specialist located farther from home.
MyEczemaTeam is the social network for people with eczema and their loved ones. On MyEczemaTeam, more than 54,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with eczema.
Have you found a specialist you trust to treat your atopic dermatitis? How did you find them, and do you have any tips for others searching for a specialist? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.
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