Interview transcription:

We interviewed Penelope Pratsou to learn about the time and costs involved with itchy skin treatment.

How long does itchy skin treatment take and what are some of the costs involved in taking care of it?

Penelope Pratsou: Treatment for itchy skin, otherwise known as pruritus, can vary depending on the cause of your itchy skin and its duration. It could be that I see you and do some blood tests, and we get to the bottom of things very quickly. It’s a simple matter of reversing that process, and we can get your skin back on track very quickly. In certain situations, it’s a matter of trial and error with regards to treatments.

Sometimes, itchy skin has no specific cause, and we have to go through what suits your skin best to get on top of the situation. It is difficult to say how long you will need to see me for. It could be one or two consultations. It could be slightly longer than that, but as soon as you’re in control of theproblem, then that’s where we part our ways.

The first step to feeling in charge of your skin is to book an initial consultation

FIND OUT HOW TO GET THE SKIN YOU WANT

With regards to cost, that’s essentially the same situation because it depends on how long you need to come back and see me. I’ve certainly been in the pleasant position of arranging to see someone back, and having tried a second treatment for them, they’ve rung up and said, ‘Well, I’m actually completely clear. Everything is back to normal, so do I really need to come and see you?’ Well, the answer is no, and so the cost can be kept down from that point of view.

If you notice that you have any of the symptoms or conditions that we’ve just discussed, we invite you to book a consultation with Dr Penelope Pratsou. She’ll be able to assess your situation and give you a personalised treatment plan.

Share this post

About the author

Dr Penelope Pratsou | Consultant Dermatologist

MBChB, MRCP (UK) (Dermatology)

I’m Dr Penelope Pratsou, a skilled independent Consultant Dermatologist based in Berkshire. I have specialist expertise in the diagnosis and management of all skin cancers, and in performing mole checks. I’m a trained skin surgeon and remove skin cancers, moles, skin tags, cysts and warts.

I also have invaluable experience in dealing with all skin conditions, from the common skin complaints of acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis, to the rarer and more complex skin problems, having seen it all through years of NHS work.

After I obtained my Membership to the Royal College of Physicians, I undertook rigorous specialist training in dermatology, before being appointed as a Consultant Dermatologist at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading. There, I helped set up and lead a busy clinic for the diagnosis and treatment of suspected skin cancer. I was also actively involved in supervising and training both dermatology and GP trainees.

Alongside my increasingly busy private practice, I have maintained an NHS practice in Oxford in order to continue to engage with challenging cases and to develop my specialist interest in skin allergy.