Got an odd-looking mole? Thinking about Botox? An appointment with a dermatologist is clearly in order. But you might not realize that derms can do much more than catch skin cancer and zap wrinkles. Here are 6 other reasons to see one, stat. 1. Your eyes are red and irritated. You may have conjunctivitis, a common infection of the membrane that spans your eye and lids. "Anything that involves your mucous membranes—including those around the eye—falls within the scope of a dermatologist's expertise," says Adam Friedman, MD, associate professor of dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. 2. Your hair looks horrible. Whether it's littered with dandruff or falling out, a dermatologist can help. In the case of dandruff, everything from infrequent washing to stress can cause a buildup of dead skin cells, which then clump together and slough off as flakes, Friedman explains. Baldness is often genetic, but seeing a dermatologist early can reduce the odds that you'll lose your follicles forever. 3. Your fingernails are funky. Scaly, pitted, discolored, or brittle nails could signal a number of different health issues, from psoriasis to nutritional deficiencies and thyroid disorders, Friedman says. "Even if these nail issues aren't really bothering you, they're a sign that something may be going on in your system that could be causing inflammation or affecting organ function," he says. "We know from research that high blood pressure, for example, can be much more resistant to treatment if you have psoriasis." A derm can help identify those interrelated health conditions, he says. 4. You have mouth sores. "There are a handful of diseases dermatologists treat that only present in the mouth," Friedman says. He notes that one common type of mouth sore—called an "aphthous ulcer"—is linked to higher rates of immune system and GI disorders. Again, a derm might help you spot connections other doctors wouldn't, he says. 5. You have bumps down below. People often go straight to their gynecologist or urologist for any problems related to their genitals, Friedman says. But some issues that appear "down there" are fungal or related to skin infections, and so are better treated by a derm. "There's one itchy condition called lichen sclerosis that can progress to squamous cell cancer if left untreated," he says. 6. You're depressed. OK, a derm shouldn't be your first stop if you're feeling down. But if your blues are accompanied by skin or nail issues, don't ignore them: "Psoriasis and some other skin conditions are inflammatory diseases, and inflammation has been linked to mood disorders like depression," Friedman says. Treating that psoriasis may help lift the clouds. Source
