Other Skin Concerns

General concerns that may be assessed

• A spot, lump or patch you are unsure about
• Persistent itch without an obvious rash
• Dryness, scaling or thickening of the skin that has not settled
• Skin changes you have noticed since starting a new medication or product
• Recurring folliculitis, ingrown hairs or bumps in areas you shave or wax
• Skin concerns you have been told to monitor and want reviewed
• Uncertainty about whether a cosmetic concern has a medical cause

When another service is the right first step

• Emergency care (000 or an emergency department) — breathing difficulty, facial or tongue swelling, rapidly spreading rash, blistering or skin peeling, severe pain, or feeling very unwell
• Your regular GP — general health problems, medication reviews, mental health support, children's health, and referrals that require your usual medical record
• A dermatologist — complex, severe or uncertain skin disease, and treatments requiring specialist supervision
• Other specialists — where the skin issue is one part of a broader condition, such as joint, hormonal or immune disease
• Sexual health services — genital skin symptoms, which are often best assessed by a service equipped for that care

If you attend and the concern falls outside this practice's scope, you will be told and pointed towards the appropriate pathway.

What information and photographs to bring

• A short timeline: when it started, how it has changed, what makes it better or worse
• Photographs of the problem at its worst, particularly for intermittent symptoms
• All current medications, supplements and anything applied to the skin
• Previous results, biopsy reports or specialist letters
• A note of what you have already tried, for how long, and what happened

How to ask whether a consultation is appropriate

If you are unsure whether to book, you can contact the practice and describe the concern in general terms. Staff can tell you whether it is the kind of concern seen here and how long an appointment is likely to need. They cannot give clinical advice, assess a photograph or provide a diagnosis before your appointment, and no one should delay urgent care while waiting for a reply.

Limitations

This page is general guidance and cannot tell you what your particular problem is. Skin conditions that look alike can have very different causes, and any assessment requires seeing the skin in person.