What do you consider acceptable reasons for GP appointment? 30 September 2013 at 9:20PM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Health & Beauty MoneySaving 16 replies 1.3K views

FelinePrincess

Just to clarify - my question is not for medical advice, I am interested in people's opinions on what constitutes an acceptable reason to visit a doctor..

I am of the opinion only essential doctors visits are acceptable, I sometimes feel its selfish or greedy to waste a doctors time on something trivial.

Anyway, here is the dilemma - I have a lot of moles, all very harmless looking and they don't really bother me appearance wise. That being said, I would like to have a few less but not so much that I'd have them removed by a doctor. An interest and a hobby of mine is natural ways to change physical appearance and whilst researching Castor Oil for a lotion I'm making I discovered it can be used for mole removal, and I really want to test it out. Now, I think a doctor should be consulted first and I feel a little frivolous to go to the doctor and ask if this is ok for me to removal my moles with castor oil. I wonder if I should ask a private dermatologist for advice on this instead. I don't really want to part with cash but I'm not sure if this is a morally acceptable reason to take up a doctors time.

So thoughts please, what do you consider acceptable and unacceptable as far as doctors appointments are concerned

Nile

If you are concerned or worried about a mole (or moles) changing shape/colour etc, see your GP.

I have nothing to back up my opinion..........but I doubt mole removal is achieved by applying lotions containing castor oil.

Personally, I wouldn't see my GP for advice about castor oil lotions. I would see my GP if I had a mole (or moles) I was concerned about.

Nile

Lifeforms

Not your question answered... But as you're looking this up anyway, try looking up duct tape warts. Just don't do image search! It's disgusting and you will need "eye bleach"

A tip I read frequently off Reddit that apparently works, and has worked on moles too. Now some use stuff like cider vinegar with it, or just the act of duct tape (must be an air tight tape used, so not sticking plaster) has killed them off. Used along side apple cider vinegar, it seems to be a proper cure o.O if that is a cure. Your mileage may vary of course, but if they're in a covered place, you can always try it to see!

Naturally. You take the risk of course by doing it, and you must keep the area clean both before you try it and if you are successful. The best way is to get the doctor do it properly! Any harm is by your own doing etc etc.

Humphrey10

I've had a harmless mole removed on the NHS, so it's worth asking your GP about your moles if they are bothering you.

pmduk

I don't believe that the NHS in England will remove moles currently unless there are medical reason for doing so.

sleepless_saver

"The idea of removing moles with castor oil originated with Edgar Cayce, a reported sleeping prophet who suggested the treatment while in a trance..."

Maybe his subconscious was getting confused with this

comeandgo

If your moles are worrying you due to their appearance it does not take long for a doctor to view them and tell you they are harmless or that further investigations are required. If its just a chat about caster oil you require can you not phone him/her? I know my surgery will phone back patients at an agreed time to talk to the doctor.

theoretica

I consider it better to go to the doctor while something is minor, than have a serious problem which could have been caught early - much like 6 monthly dental check ups.

To my amusement the first google results for castor oil and moles all relate to removing the small furry mammals.

FelinePrincess

Hi,

Thanks everyone for your replies. My question actually wasn't should I see a doctor about my moles - I'm really not concerned about any of them - health or appearance, although given the opportunity I wouldn't say no to removing a few - i can take it or leave it. I'm really not that interested in having moles removed, I'm more interested in trying the castor oil method, which led me to the question - what is considered an acceptable reason for visiting a doctor? Is it morally ok to take up a doctors time to ask them if its safe to try the castor oil method?

It seems some will visit the doctor for nothing, others need to be at deaths door. I'm wondering about everyone's thoughts at where you draw the line between ok and not ok?

FelinePrincess

theoretica wrote: »

I consider it better to go to the doctor while something is minor, than have a serious problem which could have been caught early - much like 6 monthly dental check ups.

To my amusement the first google results for castor oil and moles all relate to removing the small furry mammals.

Yes, I was a bit surprised at that myself :rotfl:

FelinePrincess

comeandgo wrote: »

If your moles are worrying you due to their appearance it does not take long for a doctor to view them and tell you they are harmless or that further investigations are required. If its just a chat about caster oil you require can you not phone him/her? I know my surgery will phone back patients at an agreed time to talk to the doctor.

Thanks, this seems like a great solution and I didn't know that was an option. Do you simply phone the surgery and request a doctor calls you back?