In response to a new patient survey finding that almost half of rosacea patients were under the impression they had acne prior to being diagnosed, Tampa dermatologist Dr. Seth Forman says that often times rosacea symptoms can be misdiagnosed.
“Sometimes patients feel embarrassed by their skin and don’t go directly to their doctors,” said the Tampa Dermatologist. “Many may not be aware they have rosacea so they treat their skin with acne products which only further irritates the skin condition.”
According to the Nation Rosacea Society (NRS), rosacea is characterized by redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead. This common but poorly understood facial skin disorder is estimated to affect more than 16 million Americans, though the majority of them are unaware they suffer from the condition. A survey by the NRS found that 95 percent of rosacea patients had known little or nothing about its signs and symptoms prior to their diagnosis.
Based on a national survey released by Galderma Laboratories and the National Rosacea Society, half of rosacea patients reported feeling unattractive, while 42 percent said they’re embarrassed and another 30 percent said they feel less confident due to the skin condition.
The survey went on to find that while nearly half of doctors reported a desire to hear a patients feelings, only 12 percent of patients agreed with those intentions.
The Tampa dermatologist says that when approaching visible signs and symptoms in patients, communication is key.
“There has to be open communication between doctors and patients. We need to initiate a discussion and educate our patients if we notice something isn’t right,” said Dr. Forman. “If doctors turn a blind eye, symptoms can be misdiagnosed, leading to further damage.”
Dr. Forman is the founder of Forman Dermatology and Skin institute, located in Tampa, Fla. and has appeared on TV shows across the country, including the nationally syndicated show “The Doctors” to provide sun-protection tips and to demonstrate his breakthrough skin cancer treatments.
About Dr. Seth Forman: Dr. Forman is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Tampa, Florida. He was voted the “Best Dermatologist in Carrollwood” in 2011 and 2012 by the Carrollwood News and Tribune. In December 2011, he opened his new Tampa dermatology office, Forman Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute, where he gives psoriasis sufferers access to the latest treatment options, including topical and oral medications, as well as biological and phototherapy. Dr. Forman is one of the few Tampa dermatologists to offer narrowband light therapy, which uses pharmaceutical grade light to suppress psoriasis. He’s also one of the few board-certified dermatologists in the U.S. to use the SRT-100 radiotherapy to treat basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer.
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SOURCE: Forman Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute
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