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Yesterday, I went to my GP in the UK and my god, he is hard work.
I went to him about a red patch on my right cheek that seems to have developed and stayed over the last 12/18 months. I also have what looks like a tan line on the left side of my face but it is actually just redness that I personally think is from old acne.
I explained that I used to have acne and he looked at the red patch (didn't even look at my left side as I was sat side on to him) for all of 2 seconds and said "that's not acne, it's eczema of the face.
I used to be on Roaccutane and know it can cause this but this patch is flat and smooth and only irritated when I shave which is when pimple arise! It feels very much to me like acne as it just won't go away but he seemed to just disregard my claims
He casually told me to come back in 3 weeks if the hydrocortisone cream didn't work which he gave me.
Is anyone else's GP very hard work and it seems like they don't want to know?
Yup, that's just GP's. Really you should be seeing a dermatologist. Go back, say you aren't satisfied and you want a referral to a dermatologist. GP's are not in any way qualified like a Derm is, and don't know how to diagnose skin conditions. Even if your GP refuses you a referral just keep going back requesting the same thing. Provided you're not aggressive or rude eventually they have to submit as they get bored of seeing you!
Yup, that's just GP's. Really you should be seeing a dermatologist. Go back, say you aren't satisfied and you want a referral to a dermatologist. GP's are not in any way qualified like a Derm is, and don't know how to diagnose skin conditions. Even if your GP refuses you a referral just keep going back requesting the same thing. Provided you're not aggressive or rude eventually they have to submit as they get bored of seeing you!
It was more frustrating how he didn't even look, he just said "oh it's this" and sent me on my way. Oh well, back in 3 weeks to hassle him!! How long does it take to get an appointment in the UK these days?
Yeah i know what you mean. They can be very dismiisive. Is there any other gp you could see in that practice? It normally takes upto 3months to see a Derm on nhs unless you go private. It'll cost about 140 to get seen private but you'll get an answer straight away as to what it is and you won't have to wait.
Or just say to you GP: I have this skin condition that needs to be asessed by a dermatologist, please can you write me a referral letter. If they don't then either keep going back asking for the same thing or say you want it proffessionally asessed.
are you not from UK then?
Yeah i know what you mean. They can be very dismiisive. Is there any other gp you could see in that practice? It normally takes upto 3months to see a Derm on nhs unless you go private. It'll cost about 140 to get seen private but you'll get an answer straight away as to what it is and you won't have to wait.
Or just say to you GP: I have this skin condition that needs to be asessed by a dermatologist, please can you write me a referral letter. If they don't then either keep going back asking for the same thing or say you want it proffessionally asessed.
are you not from UK then?
I am, but it is a long time since I've been referred to a dermatologist so wondered if they'd actually quickened the process in 7-8 years! Obviously not haha.
I have been to places like Harley Street Clinic in Manchester and that is free for a consultation but in all honesty, all they seem to want to do is sell you the derma-roller for any type of condition on your facial skin!.
It might be worth me trying this cream for a few weeks to prove him wrong and then keep going back as you say.
Have you paid privately then or did you finally get an appointment?
Yes, my GP just didn't know what to do with me. He described my post inflammation hyper pigmentation as "funny red marks", so I asked to be transferred to a dermatologist. Luckily, due to my health insurance, I had the opportunity to go private but I was told that if I did want to go on the NHS then a referral would take 6-8 weeks 
In univserity i saw the private doctors who were assigned to take in students on a private basis. they were okay. But once i went to a GP/Surgeon or whatever he was near our home in London, he was a f***** and wanted to see me for 2 mins and charge me something like 50. So basically pay 50 to see a rude doctor who doesn't even deserve to be a doctor, they think they know everything and they don't. He wanted me to take accutane and use his glycolic washes and my face was so red. His face looked like a tomato maybe he wanted me to look like that or they consider that type of red shiny face normal.
Thank god i have a nice dermatologist and endo/gyno now.
Thanks for the advice. I am going to insist of being transferred to a dermatologist. I have 2 weeks left of this cream (which has done nothing and won't because my skin is soft and smooth there, just red) then I will insist he takes a proper look at me.
It's weird because for years my face didn't bother me THAT much but I feel very conscious of it now.
I never let it stop me doing anything though as a lot of people I read, do 
Well, I went to the GP and he prescribed me hydrocortisone cream which did nothing and he then gave me the same sort of cream with another ingredient.
This has again, done nothing. I knew it wouldn't as this cream is for fungal infections which I know mine isn't! It is just red shiny bits of skin! Luckily, the bloke prescribed this did say if it didn't work he would refer me to a dermatologist! Now, because of Easter, I can't get an appointment for weeks
The UK NHS is a joke!!
How did you get on pr1? I've broken out badly... Got an appointment Monday and I'm going to ask for a referral although h has said he's going to try some anti flammotary tablets which I don't think will help?!
How did you get on pr1? I've broken out badly... Got an appointment Monday and I'm going to ask for a referral although h has said he's going to try some anti flammotary tablets which I don't think will help?!