When should my child see a dermatologist?

When should my child be seen for a full body skin exam?

There is no hard and fast rule for this question. At Florida Skin Center, we recommend routine skin exams (at least yearly) regularly for everyone, including pediatric patients! Monthly skin exams at home should be performed as well. While melanoma is less common in children than in adults, that does not mean it does not occur. The incidence of melanoma in children 11-19 years of age has increased almost 3% per year from 1973-2001. Melanoma accounts for approximately 7% of all cancers diagnosed in individuals 15-19 years of age, and accounts for up to 3% of all pediatric cancers. The treatment of childhood melanoma is often delayed due to misdiagnosis, which happens up to 40% of the time. If you or your pediatrician notices a questionable mole on your child, have a dermatologist examine the mole - we have special tools that help us determine if a mole is suspicious and warrants testing. Even if a mole does not warrant testing at the time of the exam, close followup is recommended, to monitor for changes.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, but it is the most preventable. Most skin cancers form due to excess sun exposure when we were young. Genetics plays a role as well. Remember to minimize sun exposure and wear daily sunscreen of at least SPF 30.

When should my child's skin condition be evaluated by a dermatologist?

Most pediatricians recognize common skin conditions, such as eczema, seborrhea, exanthems (rashes caused by viral infections), and can initiate treatment for your child. However, if the skin condition is not improving or resolving, most pediatricians will refer out to a dermatologist. A skin biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and to better tailor the treatment. If the skin condition is something not commonly seen, most pediatricians will refer out to a dermatologist as well. When in doubt, have a specialist look at it!