About 2 years ago I had some dry skin, I was worried it might be skin cancer or something (because I'd never had a dry patch of skin before). It wasn't really bad or anything, the largest patch was like the size of a nickle and I only had 2 spots one on each calf and a couple on my upper arm, (extremely small). I went to a dermatologist, showed him it and he said it looked like eczema. He gave me one prescription for some cream and that was it and I left. The stuff worked and I haven't used it since.
In no way has this been an issue, I didn't even care what the doctor told me because he didn't seem concerned what so ever, in fact he was really short about it. I've heard that almost everyone trying to enlist with a history of eczema get a permanent DQ, even if they get letters from doctors explaining it is not a problem.
I'm a senior in college and I'm preparing for BUD/S. My question now, (sorry), should I go to a dermatologist before going to MEPS to have an evaluation? Would that be better? To be honest I don't even know 100% if he knew it was eczema or not, he just kinda shrugged and said it looks like eczema, so I'm wondering if that was a real diagnosis? If I were to get an evaluation from a dermatologist before going to MEPS and he told me I was free of eczema, would that be grounds to not even mention it at MEPS?
Originally posted by TheGizzo: My question now, (sorry), should I go to a dermatologist before going to MEPS to have an evaluation? Would that be better? To be honest I don't even know 100% if he knew it was eczema or not, he just kinda shrugged and said it looks like eczema, so I'm wondering if that was a real diagnosis? If I were to get an evaluation from a dermatologist before going to MEPS and he told me I was free of eczema, would that be grounds to not even mention it at MEPS?
So you had a one time occurrance of a "dry patch" on your skin, concerned about skin cancer you see a doc. OK, smart. Doc, says it looks like eczema, gives you a cream, it goes away, no further problems right? Have you ever been officially diagnosed and any tests done? Is there anything in your medical record stating you have eczema?
I would check your medical record first to see if the diagnosis was even made for being eczema. Otherwise, I see no problem checking with a dermatologist to know for sure. I would mention that it is a serious issue and that a false diagnosis could be a difference in you serving or not. My understanding is eczema is a chronic condition, not a one time thing easily treated. If it isn't in your records and a doc clears you, then I would see no reason to bring it up. However, if there was something mentioned by the one doc and a dermatologist clears you, I would mention it at MEPS. Since there would be a record, you should be honest about it, but a clear diagnosis could also help, since it doesn't sound like an official diagnosis of eczema.
I have not had any tests done to diagnose whatever it was I had. I have not had any problems since taking care of it with cream. However just a few days ago I got some kind of spot on one of my calves, I don't know if it is related but it is very small. It's actually starting to go away. I was going to try and quick run to the doctor to see if they could tell me what it was. Do you know if there is a blood test or a sure way to know if someone has eczema? I'm not sure if my campus clinic would have such a thing, I suppose I could call.
I never really thought about checking my med records to see what it states. I'll do that. I suppose if it is not listed and I have no symptoms of eczema I won't bring it up. However, if this spot on my calf develops into something more, I'll get it checked out to be safe.
