Thread: What do you work at???

I had severe eczema for a good part of my life. luckily, it was more or less restricted to the back of my knees. If I had had the drive to go into medicine (and the stomach) I would have specialized in dermatology, because I know first hand what it means to have a skin condition that does not seem to want to heal.

If someone says 'you should not scratch if it itches' I know they never had a severe skin condition. Sometimes I scratched so hard that I drew blood. If it was so bad, the only thing that would help was rubbing alum over it. It hurt so bad I almost cried and screamed in pain, and I could not bend my legs anymore because of the pain. And yet I was grateful that the itching had stopped for a while.

After many, many years I managed to find a salve (thanks to my doc) that would really cure the symptoms, allowing me to experiment with food ingredients vs how long the symptoms stayed away. I discovered it was triggered by certain food colorants and preservatives. Now that I know this, I can stay free of it.

So Doc, as far as I am concerned, you are 'da man'.

Bruno, thanks for the kind words they are most appreciated. I understand ezema can be a real pain, and stubborn too. But its great you found some triggers, often people never do. The good news is that most people gradually outgrow their eczema as they get older. So its possible you may gradually get even more improvement. For what its worth, usually I emphasize plain moisturizers after bathing, not lotions or creams (which contain preservatives) but bland ointments like vaseline. Its not a substitute for a good prescription ointment like the one your doctor prescribed, but a complement to it. Anyway, if I can be of further help, let me know. Cheers, Pete

Originally Posted by RazorPete

Its funny you say that because it's true, many dermatologists would rather just work with more or less healthy patients and do cosmetic stuff like Botox injections. They would rather not deal with the really challenging patients which you would think of as having really gross skin. These kind of patients require a lot more work which is not as reimbursable as cosmetic procedures are. But I like these more challenging patients. They really are appreciative when you can help them overcome their more severe skin problems.

That's really cool of you. There are too many doctors out there that aren't in it to actually help people, and just want to get people in and out. I've visited my share of these types and they turn out to be a waste of time and money. Thanks for not being one of them!

Biologist/PhD student. I study the behavior/ecology/evolution of social insects. I generally spend the majority of my days observing just how mad a colony containing thousands of yellowjacket wasps can get when disturbed

Wow what an impressive bunch or people with whom I associate!

What do I do? Let me tell you, it isn't easy. It's not easy to be a total, useless slug around someone as hardworking and talented as my girlfriend. I manage but it is no easy task.

Originally Posted by Quick Orange

That's really cool of you. There are too many doctors out there that aren't in it to actually help people, and just want to get people in and out. I've visited my share of these types and they turn out to be a waste of time and money. Thanks for not being one of them!

Thanks and you're right. Not wanting to get too political here or anything but I think its just another sign that our ailing health care system needs some fixing.

Getting away with as much as possible at my paying gig

Electronics Technician Mainly RF communication

Gastroenterologist in private practice. I am also Assistant Clinical Professor in a medical school in New Haven, CT.

I'm a mathematician, doing algorithm research & development on a continuous blood glucose (+ other analyte) monitor for the ICU (hospital intensive care unit). If it weren't for the facts of heavy medication, organ failure, and severe blood loss / fluid replacement therapy, this would be a walk in the park. Well, maybe a park that required ropes & pitons to negotiate, but a park nonetheless. With those other factors, it's a bit trickier.

Easily the most challenging and rewarding job I've had in the ~30 years since my Ph.D.