Treating Rashes, Blisters, & Other Urgent Skin Conditions
Location
University of Utah Hospital, Clinic E13
50 N. Medical Drive
Salt Lake City, Utah 84132
Rapid Access Dermatology is a clinic offered daily at the University of Utah Hospital. You will be seen by a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in urgent care dermatology. In order to limit waiting, we ask that you make an appointment before your visit by calling 801-581-2955.
Some of the conditions we treat include the following:
- bleeding moles,
- blisters,
- genital sores,
- oral sores,
- rashes, and
- other conditions.
Our clinic is the first and only in Utah to offer urgent, same-day appointments for skin care needs.
The Same-Day clinic is changing their name to Rapid Access Dermatology Clinic (RADc).
Our clinic is growing and so we felt like it was time for a new name that better describes what this urgent clinic is all about.
Why Rapid Access Dermatology?
Skin diseases are complex and can be difficult to diagnose and treat. It’s important to choose a dermatologist who has expertise in treating skin conditions so you don’t have inappropriate treatments, unnecessary prescriptions, and unwanted or unnecessary side effects.
At our Rapid Access Dermatology clinic, our specialists offer immediate, rapid care for patients who have the most difficult skin problems. Having a dermatologist evaluate your skin condition early often leads to an earlier diagnosis, the most effective treatment, and better outcomes.
Find a Dermatologist
Reasons to Visit a Rapid Access Dermatology Clinic
You may want to make an appointment with our rapid access dermatology clinic for the following reasons:
Rash From Medications
Medications (even over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen) are a common cause of rashes. A dermatologist can help you determine which medications are most likely causing a rash. However, a rash may also be a sign of organ issues in your liver or kidneys. We will be able to identify those types of rashes as well. If you are in the midst of chemotherapy or taking a long-term medication for your mental health, a dermatology visit will sometimes reassure you that a medication doesn’t need to be changed.
Possible Melanoma
Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Recognizing it early can dramatically change your health prognosis. Especially since it's possible for melanoma to spread to your organs. If you have a suspicious spot (lesion) on your skin that looks like a melanoma, we will evaluate it immediately and perform a biopsy (take a tissue sample) of it during the same visit, if needed.
Blisters
Blisters on your skin or your mucosa (such as inside of your mouth or on your genitals) can be caused by many things, including
- infections,
- medications, and
- autoimmune skin diseases (the result of when your immune system attacks your skin).
Our dermatologists have the unique knowledge and experience needed to evaluate blisters. If left untreated, blistering diseases could have dangerous and even life-threatening consequences.
Skin Pain
When your skin hurts, it is important to learn the cause. The most common causes of skin pain are:
- skin infections (like shingles, herpes and impetigo),
- abscesses (boils),
- or inflamed cysts.
All of these conditions will be treated during your appointment. This eliminates the need to visit the emergency room. However, there are dangerous, rare skin diseases (such as toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome) that can cause the skin to shed. This is extremely painful and may lead to in-hospital care.
New Rashes
If a rash is causing you to lose sleep or miss school or work, it is important to be seen right away. Although not a complete list, some rashes we see are:
- hives,
- allergic reactions to plants and chemicals,
- perioral dermatitis (skin inflammation around your mouth),
- fungal and yeast infections, and
- rashes from viruses.
Long-Term Skin Condition Flare-Ups
For eczema or psoriasis flare-ups that aren't responding to your usual treatments, a skin specialist in our same-day dermatology clinic will provide an emergency treatment to get you back on track. We will also collaborate with your regular dermatologist or primary care provider to help continue your care.
How to Make an Appointment
Please call 801-581-2955 to schedule an appointment. Note: You cannot schedule an appointment online at our rapid access dermatology clinic.
Our appointment schedule opens each morning at 8am. Please call in the morning on the day you’d like your appointment.
Will My Insurance Cover My Visit?
Please contact your insurance provider to see if your visit to our clinic will be covered by your insurance policy.
Life-Threatening Conditions
If you have a life-threatening condition, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
The same-day dermatology serves patients whose main health problem is a skin condition. Last year, 60 percent of our patients would have gone to the emergency department if our same-day dermatology clinic wasn’t an option.
Going to the emergency room is expensive and is meant for patients who need life-saving treatment. Our clinic offers a dermatology expert at a significantly lower price. Our clinic also reduces the amount of time you have to wait to see a dermatologist by providing all patients a set, scheduled appointment time.
Our clinic saves patients money and allows everyone to be seen by the doctor who is best able to serve them.
What If I Don't Need an Appointment Today?
If a traditional Dermatology appointment better fits your needs, please call us or request an appointment online. You can make a dermatology appointment by:
- calling 801-581‑2955 or
- using our online scheduling appointment form.
Resources
When Should You See a Dermatologist?
Skin problems can range from mild to severe. It can be hard to know whether you should visit a dermatologist for your skin problem. Here are some guidelines to help you decide when you should go to a dermatologist.
Seven Questions For a Dermatologist
Are brown spots dangerous? What's the best way to protect your skin from getting sun damage? We explore some of the most common questions people have for dermatologists.