The Western
Dermatology Consultants team cares about health. It’s why our board-certified
dermatologists offer medical services, including skin cancer detection, for Albuquerque-area patients. In light of the March 25
“shelter in place” order for New Mexico, “nonessential” surgeries and other
procedures have been put on hiatus—but this ban is waived in cases that would
jeopardize a patient’s life. That means three things for our patients: Our spa
is closed, our dermatology office is still providing “TeleMed” visits for
remote care, and we are still able to treat urgent issues in our offices.
There are
obviously a lot of health concerns right now in the community, the country, and
the entire world. With so much focus on a single, specific problem—in this
case, COVID-19—it can be easy to push aside thoughts of other medical issues.
But even though a respiratory pandemic is in seemingly every headline, we want
to remind you that skin health remains as vitally important as always.
In other words,
if you have a potentially pressing medical issue, such as a melanoma, do not
hesitate to talk to a qualified medical professional to determine how best to
proceed. Melanoma is a particularly fast-moving and deadly cancer, so it is
crucial to identify it and begin treatment as soon as possible.
Note that we are
taking precautions with the health and safety of our patients, staff, and
community in mind. If you have a fever, cough, shortness or breath, or other
symptoms associated with COVID-19 or the flu, please call us before coming into
our offices for your urgent care, and we can work together to determine what to
do next.
Know that we are
continuing to practice excellent hygiene, cleaning, and sterilization routines,
as per our usual standards and in following national recommendations and
guidelines.
We also encourage
everyone to commit to proper hygiene practices at home: Use soap and water to
routinely wash your hands, especially after touching surfaces or handling items
outside the home. If there are no products or facilities available to allow you
20 to 30 seconds of thorough hand washing, apply hand sanitizer (minimum 60
percent alcohol), especially before touching other objects, such as keys, a car
door, or a front door. Then, wash your hands at the next available opportunity.
Also, avoid touching your face as much as possible.
To get answers
to other skincare and hygiene questions, contact our team at Albuquerque’s Western
Dermatology Consultants by
calling 505.855.9267 or reaching out online.
