Do primary care offices offer diagnosis and treatment of the skin?
The full spectrum of dermatology includes all medical, surgical, or cosmetic aspects of the skin, nails, and hair and encompasses in-office surgical treatments. Often primary care providers, such as the team at ICPR Family Practice in Pekin, IL, answer general questions about everyday skin conditions, consult, diagnose and offer the treatments that are best for you (if needed, they can refer you to a specialist).
What treatment services are available at primary care offices?
Often primary care offices evaluate, diagnose and treat a variety of dermatological conditions. In addition to medical treatment of skin, nail, or hair concerns, a wide range of in-office surgical treatments are available. From various types of biopsies, cryotherapy (freezing certain skin lesions), to excisions of moles, cysts, nodules, or any other worrisome or changing lesions or moles. Often primary care offices can do 90-95% of what is done in a dermatology specialist office and are a great place to start with any dermatological concerns.
What about pediatric skin diagnosis and treatment?
If the primary care office does offer these services for adults, they also offer pediatric care. Just like with adults, it is a good place to start with any pediatric skin, nail, or hair concerns and also a great place to visit for adolescents that may be suffering from acne.
What are helpful tips for preventing skin cancer?
The biggest tip for preventing skin cancer is to limit sun exposure. Additionally, using sunscreen on a daily basis for exposed skin is a great deterrent. One of the most important tips is to never let your skin get sunburned. The damage done today can turn into skin cancer years later.
Do primary care offices treat skin cancer?
Often primary care offices treat various forms of skin cancer, including basal cell and squamous cell cancers. If it is beyond what can be done within the scope of an out-patient medical practice, a referral to a dermatologist is made.
Do primary care offices offer cosmetic skin services?
Often primary care offices handle basic cosmetic procedures such as removing unsightly moles or skin tags. They also may treat acne, rashes, pigmentation changes, fungal or thickened toenails or fingernails, eczema, etc., which can all have undesired cosmetic appearances.
Do primary care offices sell dermatologic products?
Often primary care offices sell products such as the line of vitamins from Uscriptives™ sold at ICPR Family Practice in Pekin, IL. Vitamins like these can help skin since a healthy body leads to healthy looking skin. One example is “Healthy Hair, Skin, & Nails” which contains a unique blend of essential ingredients, like biotin, amino acids, and antioxidants to help the overall appearance and health of your hair, nails, and skin.
What differentiates primary care offices offering dermatology services?
Primary care offices that provide extra services such as dermatology, (not found in all primary care offices), can take a holistic approach to your skin, nail, and hair health as part of taking care of your whole body, resulting in a healthy exterior. These primary care offices, like ICPR Family Practice in Pekin, IL, are a great place to start with any skin care need. You don’t even need a referral since these offices are in the primary care realm.
Have a skin problem or question? You can schedule an appointment at ICPR Family Practice by calling 309.347.4277 or schedule online.
