Skin issues - When you need to see a dermatologist

Your skin is your body’s biggest organ, so you need to take care of it and examine it periodically.

If you find something unusual, contact your doctor right away. He or she can determine whether or not you need to see a dermatologist.

“We’re the first point of care for most patients,” said Dr. Muneeb Qadri, a primary care physician on staff at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center, in Joliet. “Our role is to identify skin conditions when patients come in so we know if something is benign or cancerous.”

The most common types of skin cancer which are highly curable are basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. The third most common - melanoma- is the most dangerous and the most deadly.

Each has different characteristics that can be identified using the ABCDEs of melanoma. A-Asymmetrical-Does it have an irregular shape? B-Border-Is it irregular or jagged; C-Color-Is it uneven? D-Diameter-Is it larger than a pea? E-Evolving-Does its appearance change?

“Also, if you have a sore that doesn’t heal or starts to bleed point it out to your doctor,” Qadri said.

Actinic (solar) keratosis, a common precancer that’s usually scaly and crusty, is caused by sun damage on exposed areas such as the face, scalp, lips or backs of the hands.

“A lot of people don’t realize they have it, but if it goes untreated it can lead to advanced squamous cell carcinoma,” Qadri said.

Certain lesions can be scraped or frozen off in a primary care physician’s office.

“For melanoma you have to be careful, so we usually refer those patients to a dermatologist,” Qadri said.

Qadri recommends that older and fair-skinned people or those out in the sun a lot should check their skin more frequently. Everyone, he said, should use sunscreen.

“The most important thing is to be observant,” Qadri said.

Dr. Qadri’s office is at 3100 Theodore Street, phone 815-725-3454.

[ Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center ]