Dear Patients, Read This Before Your Next Visit
Is this a rant? Maybe yes. I have been practising dermatology for the last 5 years, and I am writing this article on this seemingly silly topic. I would be genuinely happy if even one patient reads this and comes better prepared to their next consultation. “Skin problem எவ்ளவோ நல்லாஹ் இருக்கு?” (How long have you been having skin problems?) This is one of the very first questions any dermatologist asks. It’s not just a casual opener - it’s a foundational question. The same applies to almost any medical problem. Knowing the chronicity (how long it has been there) immediately shapes the differential diagnosis and guides the entire consultation. Yet, surprisingly, most patients come unprepared for this basic question. Whether it’s due to anxiety, nervousness, or simply not thinking about it beforehand, the response is often vague: “கொஞ்சனால இருக்கு” (It has been there for a few days) “ரொம்ப நாலாஹ் இருக்கு” (It has been there for many days) Here’s the problem with these answers: What fee...