Dermatologists identify five skin health treatments and procedures that consumers may not need

Schaumbur, ILL. (October 29, 2013)-

“The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) today released its list of specific treatments and procedures related to skin health and care that are not always necessary.  The Academy developed its list as part of Choosing Wisely, an initiative of the ABIM Foundation to help patients talk with their doctors and medical tests and treatments that may be unnecessary to effectively care for their condition. ”

Dermatologists made the following recommendations:

1. Don’t prescribe oral antifungal therapy for suspected nail fungus without confirmation of a fungal infection.

2. Don’t perform sentinel lymph node biopsy or other diagnostic tests for the evaluation of early, thin melanoma because they do not improve survival.

3. Don’t treat uncomplicated, non-melanoma skin cancer less than one centimeter in size on the trunk and extremities with Mohs micrographic surgery.

4. Don’t use oral antibiotics for treament of atopic dermatitis unless there is clinical evidence of infection.

5. Don’t routinely use topical antibiotics on a surgical wound.

To read the details of these recommendations, please see http://www.aad.org/education/choosing-wisely

MAPS Lab offers a variety of special stains and Immuno’s to enable the most accurate diagnosis.  In order to get a patient started on an oral anti-medication, a PAS stain can be done over night at MAPS.   A fungal culture can take up to a month in the office setting thus postponing a patient’s treatment.