If you are experiencing problems with your skin, hair, or nails, your GP may refer you to a consultant dermatologist. A consultant dermatologist is a medical professional who is trained to diagnose and treat conditions related to the skin, hair, and nails.
Common reasons for referral to a consultant dermatologist include: acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin cancer, and other skin disorders.
Consultant dermatologists can also treat conditions such as hair loss, nail infections, and excessive sweating.
During your appointment with a dermatologist, they will conduct a thorough examination of your skin, hair, or nails and develop a personalised treatment plan. Treatment may involve procedures such as: skin biopsies, cryotherapy, laser therapy, or medications such as topical creams, oral medications, or injections.
Dermatology at Blackrock Health
At Blackrock Health, our teams work with our consultant Dermatologists for expert and experienced skin health solutions. We understand that any medical treatment you seek is important to you – that is why we treat all our patients to the same standard of excellence. We offer a broad range of procedures and treatments at our three hospital locations, the Blackrock, Galway, and Hermitage Clinics. These include private consultation, imaging, interventional diagnostics, and laboratory testing. We also offer expert care for skin cancers, and reconstructive surgery after skin cancer treatment.
Our hospitals provide easy and speedy access to expert care, ensuring that you receive the best possible treatment close to home. We also have a long-standing reputation for excellence and expertise - stretching back over 40 years in the case of the Blackrock Clinic. This ensures that you can receive the highest possible standards of care and support. Whether you need topical medications, a minor surgical procedure, or a more complex treatment plan, we aim to help you achieve your desired outcome.
Accessing our services
You can access Blackrock Health dermatology services easily with a referral from your GP and can then expect world-class clinical care and comfort. All our dermatology consultants hold specialist registration with the Irish Medical Council. Over 75% of our hospital rooms are single occupancy, which can help you make a quicker recovery in a safe environment. We aim to provide you with the best possible outcome, and to restore your quality of life.
Why I might be referred
Disorders affecting the skin can lead to a variety of symptoms. These include itching, lesions, and infections. These symptoms may mean that you find your lifestyle affected and suffer physical discomfort.
You may be referred to a hospital for this type of service by your GP if you have tried other forms of treatment and are not seeing results.
Our team
Our dermatology team is private, multi-disciplinary, and consultant led.
Who we treat
Our team diagnoses and treats a wide range of conditions and disorders, including:
Acne
Eczema
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Skin cancer
At your consultation, your dermatologist will examine you and determine what treatment, if any, is needed. Most of our dermatology practices treat adults only.
Services
Our dermatology team runs a number of clinics for the following treatments and services.
Not every procedure is available in all our hospitals. Please check with your preferred location to confirm that the treatment you seek is carried out there.
Cutaneous allergy (patch testing)
Inpatient consultant service
Non-surgical cosmetic procedures
Nurse treatment clinics
Outpatient's clinic
Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
Surgical procedures (such as biopsies and mole removals)
Ultraviolet (UV) light therapy
Phototherapy for psoriasis patients
Patients with skin conditions are usually treated with creams and ointments, which are applied to the skin, however sometimes, other forms of treatment are needed.
Phototherapy is a treatment option using ultraviolet light, administered on the referral from a consultant Dermatologist. It is an effective method of treating many skin conditions, the most common of which is Psoriasis.
It is extremely important to look after your skin. If your experiencing itchy skin, strange rashes, changes in skin colour or new textures, you should get your skin checked by a dermatologist. These symptoms may be the result of a chronic skin condition, an allergic reaction, or an infection.
What is involved:
- A referral is required from a consultant Dermatologist, which will be received by our physiotherapy department.
- An initial skin test will be arranged, which will take approximately 1 hour.
- You will be given a schedule of weekly sessions, typically three per week. The sessions are short initially and gradually build up over the duration of the course.
- Your Dermatologist will review your progress during treatment and discontinue the course when the skin condition has cleared or significantly improved.
Common skin conditions
Acne
Acne is breakouts of deep, painful whiteheads, blackheads and cysts on the face, neck and back. If left untreated, acne may leave scars or darken the skin.
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma causes a pink, shiny lump with a sunken center. It may cause easy bleeding or does not heal.
Eczema
Eczema causes a red rash, that may be severely itchy. It may cause yellow or white scaly skin that flakes off.
Loss of hair
Hair loss can result from a lot of things, such as poor nutrition, hormonal changes, stress, treatments, and medical conditions.
There are three main types of alopecia-
- Alopecia areata (patchy hair loss, happens when the immune system attacks the hair follicles)
- Traction alopecia (Hair pulled too tight from ponytails)
- Alopecia totalis (Loss of nearly all hair on your head)
Melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It appears as a mole with an irregular shape and colour.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis causes red scaly patches of skin, located on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic skin disease that causes facial blushing, skin dryness and sensitivity.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma occurs in areas exposed to UV radiation, like the face and ears. It looks like a red patch of skin that progresses into a raised bump.
How do I get this?
You will need a referral letter from your GP or consultant before you make an appointment. Some dermatology services allow for self-referral - please check with a particular consultant's office if you want to seek a direct referral.
Is this insured?
Not all services are covered by health insurance. To find out if you're covered, please check your health insurance before your visit. You can do this on our health insurance cover check page, or by contacting your health insurer.
How do I pay?
If you do not have health insurance or your health plan does not cover the full cost, you will need to pay the balance due before your treatment or procedure. You may be able to claim back some fees on your insurance. To pay an excess not covered by your insurance or any other inpatient fees, please visit our payment page. If you have any queries about paying for your care, please contact the finance team in your hospital.
