Finding a 'specialist' specialist?

wendym

Is there any way a lay person can find a medical specialist with a particular interest in one aspect of their subject?

I am trying to find a dermatologist with special interest and expertise in diagnosing and treating polymorphic light eruption (PMLE), and not getting very far. I'd be really grateful for any help.

wolfehouse

if you can find out who writes papers on the subject that might be a good place to start
(google is your friend)

Organic12

Ask your GP? They may have access to more detail.

Go to the British Association of Dermatologists (http://www.bad.org.uk). Look up those closest to you and phone around their secretaries who might give you some idea if the consultant covers what you need.

Quiet_Life

Here's a link to net doctor and a published article.... it's dated 2005.. but it might be a starting point

Quiet_Life

Sorry forgot the link
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/lighteruption.htm

Quiet_Life

Here's a link to net doctor and a published article.... it's dated 2005.. but it might be a starting point

jenniewb

Contact NHS Direct? You can email them for advice as well as calling, they may have some trustworthy links if your GP has nothing. Have no knowledge on the subject- is it something the NHS may offer that you could be referred to? or is it one of those things that still has a conservative question mark over it to be offered via the NHS?

(Asking as I had similar with Homeopathy and had to find information my own way which wasn't as hard as it seemed and did pay off). If it has results, there will be something out there. Best advice I can give is try to speak to someone face-to-face, its easier to get an idea of how genuine they and if you want to go ahead with any treatment on offer. Hope you get somewhere with it.

Bananabelly

wendym wrote: »

Is there any way a lay person can find a medical specialist with a particular interest in one aspect of their subject?

I am trying to find a dermatologist with special interest and expertise in diagnosing and treating polymorphic light eruption (PMLE), and not getting very far. I'd be really grateful for any help.

That condition is not so unusual, I would think most dermatologists are pretty good at dealing with that. In any case, the College/Association would be a far better bet than NHS direct or your GP - find someone recommended and get your GP to refer to them. It's also usually abbreviated as PLE in my experience - that might help your google search.

LondonDiva

Bear in mind that when a GP etc make a referrqal, it is generally to a 'hospital' rather than a specific clinician in that department. If that is the only specialist ther, well and good - if there are more than one, the hospital will manage their waiting list. So you need to ask the GP /whoever to indicate your preference, but you may not get it.

wendym

Thanks everyone - my thanks button has disappeared. I've done all the obvious stuff - think I'll ring the Assoc of British Dermatologist tomorrow. Briefly:
My daughter had her first episode of PMLE/PLE a few weeks ago, was prescribed Hydroxychloroquine by a consultant dermatologist, and is having a horrific allergic reaction (well-documented online). 75% of her body is covered in a burning itching painful raised rash. Really heavy duty steroids and anti-histamines are making no difference, and no doctor agrees with another (six opinions so far, two of them registrars in dermatology, two of them consultant dermatologists).

Edited to add: one of the consultants disagrees that it's a reaction, and thinks it's a PLE flare, which the other thinks is nonsense.

Iloveholidays_3

Hi,
I have suffered from PMLE for a number of years and was prescribed Prednisolone for when i go on holidays. This is fantastic and have had ' itch free' holidays for the last 12 years !!
Visit your GP and tell them you want to see a skin specialist and go through the NHS choices. To get seen quickly try to choose a Private hospital that has the choices as well.
Good luck!!:)