Best Blue Cross Blue Shield Dermatologist in Brooklyn Downtown, NY

A dermatologist is a physician who specializes in the field of dermatology, a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of conditions affecting skin, nails, hair or mucous membranes. People of all ages develop problems with their skin, which can be uncomfortable and often lead to serious complications. The best dermatologists in Downtown Brooklyn have thorough knowledge about the skin, hair and nails and how they interact with the rest of the body.

Food, culture and transportation are abundant in Downtown Brooklyn, and many doctors are attracted to the urban feel of this area. This makes it easy to book an appointment with a top-notch dermatologist in Downtown Brooklyn who takes BlueCross HMO.

Health maintenance organizations (HMO) like BlueCross HMO usually cover visits to healthcare providers in their network.

If you’re covered by BlueCross HMO, you need to take steps that include:

• Getting a referral from your primary care physician to book an appointment with a specialist, such as a dermatologist, gynecologist or urologist
• Paying out of pocket if you don’t obtain a referral
• Expecting full coverage when dermatology services are considered medically necessary, as long as your plan doesn’t require a co-payment or deductible

Cosmetic dermatology procedures that are done for aesthetic reasons and not for medical reasons aren’t typically covered by health insurance. When you’re ready to visit a Downtown Brooklyn dermatologist who takes BlueCross HMO, check with your insurance provider to find out if your deductible must be fully satisfied before a dermatology visit is covered and if you’re responsible for a co-payment.

Your body gives you many different signs that something is wrong with your health, and many of these signs are noticeable on your skin or in your hair or nails. You may notice abnormalities yourself, or your primary care doctor may think an area looks suspicious and needs to be evaluated by a dermatologist.

Signs that you may need to book an appointment with a BlueCross HMO dermatologist in Downtown Brooklyn include:

• Itchy, scaly or flaky skin that’s not responding to treatment by your primary care doctor
• Acne that won’t clear up with standard treatment
• Persistent rashes
• A mole has changed in size, shape or color
• Unexplained hair loss
• Fungal infections of toenails or fingernails
• Patches of skin that are darker or lighter than the rest
• A sore or lump that doesn’t heal

An NYC dermatologist can diagnose some conditions just from observation but may need to run a variety of tests on others. The best dermatologists in Downtown Brooklyn are familiar with the newest dermatology treatments and create the most effective treatment plans.

An experienced BlueCross HMO dermatologist in Downtown Brooklyn diagnoses and treats a wide variety of conditions.

Some of the most common dermatology conditions include:

• Psoriasis. Scaly patches of skin caused by skin cells that grow too rapidly can affect people of any age and vary in severity.
• Dermatitis. There are many forms of dermatitis, a common condition that can cause a rash, blisters or itchy dry skin. Eczema is a common form of dermatitis and is also known as atopic dermatitis.
• Acne. This is a common condition in which the pores become clogged, causing pimples, whiteheads or blackheads. It’s most common in teenagers but it sometimes affects adults. Breakouts can happen in any area of the body and left untreated can lead to infection or scarring.
• Rosacea. Characterized by flushing, redness, bumps or enlarged blood vessels on the face, rosacea is a condition that usually affects people over the age of 30.
• Fungal infections. Infections caused by fungi most often affect the skin or nails, but can also target mucous membranes in the mouth, throat, lungs and urinary tract.
• Vitiligo. Patches of skin that lose pigment may be caused by this condition. It may be just a cosmetic concern, or it may be related to other illnesses such as thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis or Type 1 diabetes.
• Skin cancer. Caused by growth of abnormal cells in the skin, skin cancer can spread to other areas of the body if not treated early.

Conditions affecting your skin aren’t always related just to the skin. The appearance of your skin may provide clues to your dermatologist to underlying illnesses such as liver disease, heart or lung disease.

The treatment of any dermatology condition depends on its cause.

Different medications may be prescribed for various conditions and may include:

• Antibiotics
• Antifungal creams
• Steroid pills, creams or injections
• Other oral or topical medication

When medication alone doesn’t work, some conditions may need to be treated with a procedure.

Examples of procedures that might be done by your Downtown Brooklyn dermatologist who takes BlueCross HMO include:

• Ultraviolet light therapy, which is used in several different conditions to reduce inflammation and promote healing
• Cryotherapy that involves freezing a diseased area of skin to remove abnormal tissue
• Skin grafts to restore missing skin
• Surgery, such as removal of a skin lesion
• Chemotherapy or radiation, as part of a treatment plan for skin cancer

Skin abnormalities may be noticed during your annual physical exam, or you may seek medical care because of uncomfortable symptoms. Book an appointment with a Downtown Brooklyn dermatologist who takes BlueCross HMO for diagnosis and treatment of a new lesion or growth, changes to an existing mole or visible abnormalities with skin, hair or nails that won’t clear up.