To see a dermatologist

macskanadrag

To say it quickly, I'm not looking for medical advice, just wondering how things work in Ireland when i want to see a specialist

Basically I have a couple of moles which, over time, will be better off removed because they are mixed-cell ones and might become cancerous. These were diagnosed back in Hungary (where i'm from) and i have intended to have them removed there but i'll need a 2-week period to be spent there to allow time for the skin to heal and the stitches removed and what not. One of the moles started to worry me now and i'd like a doc to have a look at it and probably have it removed asap.

So do i have to go to a GP who will refer me to a dermatologist who will refer me to a surgeon? Or can a GP do such a procedure? Or is there a way to go to a public / private dermatologist who would look after the whole shebang from diagnosing to removing it?
I'm considering private options because i'd prefer it done quickly. Is there usually a long waiting list for public dermatologists?

Just a couple of questions:o Any help is much appreciated, thanks!

sam34

start with your GP.

depending on what size/where/what type the moles are they will refer you to a dermatologist or surgeon or both. some dermatologists remove some types of lesions.

no idea about the waiting lists, sorry

macskanadrag

I looked at whatclinic.com and there are a couple of private clinics who do mole removal but the price of the dermatologist consultation is "typically around 150EUR". So... I think i'm ok with giving 50 to the GP:pac:

So if the GP refers me to a clinic or hospital, am I covered under PRSI (I don't have private insurance)? And the only downside is that I have to wait if there is a waiting list, right?

FluffyCat

I got a mole on my face removed in St. Vincents. It was for a totally cosmetic reason so I wasnt rushed through the system. I went to my GP who referred me on. I got an appointment and waited about 2 months for that. That the removal was only about one month after that. So 3 mths after going to GP, it was done.

Very quick and if the mole is in any way odd that Id say it would be quicker.

I went through the public system and didnt pay a thing.

Go to your GP ASAP to get the ball rolling

macskanadrag

Thanks for that Fluffy Cat! It's not a real emergency yet, i'm ok with waiting for a few months even, just want to make sure it's not costing me a fortune.

Will go and find a GP so! Thanks again

Vorsprung

FluffyCat wrote: »

I got a mole on my face removed in St. Vincents. It was for a totally cosmetic reason so I wasnt rushed through the system. I went to my GP who referred me on. I got an appointment and waited about 2 months for that. That the removal was only about one month after that. So 3 mths after going to GP, it was done.

Very quick and if the mole is in any way odd that Id say it would be quicker.

I went through the public system and didnt pay a thing.

Go to your GP ASAP to get the ball rolling

Vincent's Derm dept has more staff than most hospitals. I hear some places down the country have an 8 year waiting list (source - friend's sister is a Derm SpR). You may not see that on any official publications.

Liam001

Surgical method is a way of removing skin moles through surgeries and operations. There have been various surgical methods that have been practiced on some dermatological clinics. The latest technology laser treatment has become very popular and this method would take less time to remove your skin moles but are very expensive procedures.

Sitric

Using laser destroys the tissue for histology doesn't it?

For people wondering about the anecdote about an 8 yr waiting list, there are only 42 qualified dermatologists in the country.

OP, if they really are suspicious moles, i'd go home and get them checked, it will be much faster.

drfrank

I wouldn't recommend having any LASER procedure performed on a mole unless the diagnosis has been established by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

As another person stated, the lesion literally goes up in smoke, with no histological specimen. In theory you could have taken off a melanoma without realising it !!!