When it comes to helping treat your child’s eczema, it can be really trying to find the right kind of doctor. From GPs and dermatologists to dieticians and allergists, the choices are literally endless. In order for your child and your family to get the best care possible without a lot of run-around it’s a good idea to go right to the best possible medical expert right from the beginning. To help you make the right decision for your unique needs, we’re going to explore a variety of professionals today to help find the right one for you.

General Practitioner (GP)

When you see a GP you get access to a wealth of generalized information that can help your family with everything from the common cold to a broken bone. GPs specialize in a huge array of practices and they are most usually sought for basic illness, injuries, and check-ups. A General Practitioner can administer medication and also make recommendations for you to see a specialist if needed.

When eczema or severe allergies are present, a GP will usually help by prescribing the most popular and effective medications or treatments that are available on the market right now. They may suggest that some tests or blood work also be performed to get more information, but they may refer you to an allergy specialist to have those tests reviewed.

All in all, a GP may make a great first stop if you aren’t sure whether or not your child has eczema. They can typically make a diagnosis and give you information about where to go next. If you already know that eczema is the issue, you may want to choose one of the other professionals we’ll talk about next in this article to save time and money.

Dermatologist

A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diseases and issues of the skin. They are amazing resources when eczema is an issue because they often have access to information and products that are at the cutting edge of treating flare ups. If you find that the actual flare up is what needs treatment, or if your child ends up with recurring infections or inflammation on the skin, a Dermatologist is a great first stop. Dermatology will treat eczema on the surface of the skin so it’s a great option to overcome flare ups. To help prevent flare ups from happening or to get to the root of your child’s triggers, you may want to choose one of the other professionals we’ll talk about next.

Allergist

If you believe that allergies or other sensitivity triggers are behind your child’s eczema flare ups, and in many cases that’s exactly what’s happening, then an allergist may be the perfect resource for you. These professionals specialize in helping to explore what common food, environmental, chemical, and other triggers may challenge your child’s immune system, and what might lead to an eczema flare up. Allergists work by using testing methods to see what gets a response from your child’s body, and they compile this information to arm you with information to help your child avoid these triggers in the future.

Dietitians

If food issues end up being what’s behind your child’s allergies, working with a dietary specialist can be a great help. These professionals can help your family find healthy alternatives to foods your child can’t eat while making sure that everyone is getting enough nutrition every day.

Which professionals have been the greatest help to you and your family? Share with us in the comments below!