The skin is the largest organ in the human body. And your skin’s health can have a huge effect on your self-esteem and quality of life. Blemishes to moles to discomfort or pain in your skin are not things you should just ignore. Pay attention to your skin, and don’t hesitate to see your primary care provider when skin concerns cross your mind.
WWMG’s primary care providers can evaluate and assess your skin concerns and provide an individualized treatment plan to support your overall health and wellness.
What are the signs of unhealthy or abnormal skin?
Each person’s skin is a bit different. But there are some universal skin problems that may necessitate a visit to a healthcare provider. These are:
- Rashes, dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis
- Skin tags or warts
- Changing moles
- Cold sores, hives, or acne
- Infected toenails
- Athlete’s foot or other signs of fungal infection
- Accelerated or sudden hair loss
WWMG’s primary care providers frequently see patients for the above skin concerns, as well as for conditions such as:
- Alopecia
- Rosacea
- Precancerous lesions
Generally, when it comes to the health of your skin, keep an eye out and trust your gut. If you notice abnormal changes or skin pain or discomfort, prioritize seeing a primary care provider to get the concern evaluated.
Why you shouldn’t ignore skin concerns
It’s easy to delay dealing with dermatology concerns because skin can feel less urgent than other medical care. But because your skin’s health can affect the way you show up in everyday life, the importance of proactive skin care cannot be underemphasized.
Beyond quality of life, signs of serious diseases can first appear on the skin. The most obvious of these are skin cancers such as melanoma or carcinoma. About 1 in 20 people will have skin cancer in their lifetime. You’re especially susceptible if you don’t get enough vitamin D, which is a problem for many residents of the Pacific Northwest.
Treatment options for skin concerns
Western Washington Medical Group’s primary care providers have many treatment options available for dermatology concerns. Customized treatment plans are based on the patient’s specific diagnosis and preferred treatment method.
For skin conditions such as eczema, cold sores, certain funguses, persistent acne, or others, providers may prescribe oral or topical medication to address the issue.
Other skin conditions such as suspicious moles, skin tags, warts, or potential precancerous marks may need to be removed. In these instances, our providers have multiple treatment modalities at their disposal. These include:
- Liquid nitrogen
- Shave biopsies
- Punch biopsies
- Excisions
- Incisions and drainage
- Curettage
- Electrocautery
Our primary care providers can diagnose, prescribe, and treat these type of conditions in-house at our family medicine clinics. We make this process simple for patients, saving them time from having to jump through hoops to visit a specialist when it may not be necessary.
That being said, serious diagnoses will be referred out for more specialized treatment, such as certain skin cancers depending on their location, development, or other complicating factors. This is simply the best practice for these situations, where Mohs micrographic surgery can be performed by a specialized dermatologist.
How Western Washington Medical Group providers can help with skin problems
Taking care of your skin is important, and your skin’s health can have a big effect on your self-esteem and quality of life. Pay attention to your skin, and don’t hesitate to see a medical provider when skin concerns come up.
WWMG’s primary care providers can evaluate and assess your skin care concerns and provide an individualized treatment plan to address your issue and help improve your quality of life.
Contact us to request an appointment for your skin condition or concern today. We look forward to supporting you in lifelong health.