Without question, it is ALWAYS best to see a well-trained, board-certified Dermatologist if one has any skin problems (rashes or growths). Although many PCPs and Urgent care centers can handle COMMON problems (i.e. Shingles, poison ivy and minor burns), what happens when both you and the doctor does not know what the diagnosis is? In many of these cases, patients are treated with Lotrisone (clotrimazole/betamethasone cream), which I call the “I have no idea what you have so I will give you this” medication or topical or oral steroids.
In short, Lotrisone is RARELY ever used by Dermatologists for a couple of reasons. It is a combination of a VERY STRONG topical steroid with an old anti-fungal agent. If one really had a fungal infection, topical steroids actually stimulate the growth of fungi. For this reason, it is uncommon to use a very strong steroid with an anti-fungal drug. Additionally, the use of strong topical steroids can thin the skin if used for more than 2 weeks, especially if used in the armpits, groin, face, or neck. I see patients regularly who are prescribed this medication only to be left with thin skin or stretch marks that will not go away. Dermatologists do occasionally use topical steroids with anti-fungal creams, although usually they prescribe them both separately, which costs less and is safer.
In summary, if you have an acute problem, such as an infection, Shingles, a burn, or Poison Ivy, and even you know what you have, your PCP and/or local Urgent Care Center will likely be able to treat you effectively.
If you have a “rash” or “growth” and do not know the cause is, is is extremely likely that a non-Dermatologist will not know either. Your best bet is to find a good Dermatologist. In my experience, it is far less costly to pay for a visit with a Specialist than to be ineffectively treated with medications that can be costly. For example, a 15g tube (tiny) of generic Lotrisone can cost $131 compared with a 85g tube of another steroid that costs $12.
Most importantly, Emergency Rooms are for just that–”Emergencies”, which means life threatening situations. Nearly all skin conditions are NOT life-threatening, and unless one has reason to suspect otherwise (many new blisters, sheets of skin coming off, or suspected serious infection), one should not seek advice for skin conditions in an Emergency Room Setting. There are times when one might be prompted to go to the Emergency Room. An example of such would be a diabetic who thinks that he/she has cellulitis who calls his/her PCP for advice and is then directed to go to the Emergency Room for evaluation. In these situations delaying treatment would not be recommended.
In short, think for yourself. If you don’t know what you have, don’t wait. Go see a Dermatologist.