Find a dermatologist who accepts new patients

How to find a dermatologist accepting new patients

To find a dermatologist accepting new patients, here are 6 simple ways to help you get a quick appointment:

  1.  Ask your regular doctor for advice: in the event of an emergency or a chronic condition, you can turn to your GP. Also consider a teleconsultation with Feeli, a simple and effective way to see a dermatologist without an appointment within 24 hours. The Assurance Maladie also states that a teleconsultation offered by your regular doctor can help you "get a faster appointment and treatment" with a specialist, when the situation requires it.

  2.  Ask people close to you: ask your family, friends or colleagues. They may sometimes be able to recommend a dermatologist who is taking on new patients.

  3.  Contact medical secretaries: online, you can find the phone numbers of dermatology practices near you. Explain that you are a new patient and that your case is urgent. Sometimes a slot may become available and be offered to you.

  4.  Official health directories: preferably use government websites to locate a dermatologist nearby. For example, the Assurance Maladie offers a health directory (annuairesante.ameli.fr) for finding a dermatologist by location and speciality. The official pages of the Ordre des médecins or the CNOM also offer directories of dermatologists.

  5.  Opt for an online consultation: you can see a dermatologist within 24 hours with Feeli and set up remote follow-up while you wait for an in-person appointment. Other platforms such as Doctolib let you search for available dermatologists and book appointments online. That said, it is not uncommon to have to wait 3 to 6 months for an in-person consultation.

  6.  Associations and specialist forums: some professional bodies or patient associations sometimes share lists of practitioners accepting new patients.

How to book an online appointment with a dermatologist who accepts new patients

Besides teleconsultation, some platforms let you find a dermatologist accepting new patients and book an appointment online:

  •  Feeli: teledermatology is a fast and effective alternative, letting you see a dermatologist quickly: Feeli guarantees care from a qualified French dermatologist in under 24 hours. The platform is also available 24/7. The price is fixed: €55 (consultation and prescription included).

  •  Doctolib: Doctolib remains, to date, the largest directory of doctors. If you want an appointment with a dermatologist, search for nearby specialists with quickly available slots. You also have several filters to choose the dermatologist's fee sector. For example, in sector 1, the fee is reimbursed at 70% by the Assurance Maladie. Sector 2 dermatologists, on the other hand, may charge fee excesses, often between €30 and €60.

  •  Online directories and medical secretaries: the website of the Ordre des médecins and Ameli, for example, have directories with dermatologists' contact details. In some cases, you can contact the dermatologist's medical secretary directly to book an appointment.

Why and when should you see a dermatologist?

Many different conditions may require a consultation with a dermatologist. In addition to providing a diagnosis and treating conditions quickly, this specialist also monitors chronic diseases and carries out early screening for skin cancers. According to current data, the main dermatological reasons for consultation include in particular:

  •  Screening and management of skin cancer: melanoma screening is essential: although rare, this cancer is the most aggressive and responds much better to treatment when detected early. As the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) points out, early detection significantly increases the chances of full recovery.

  •  Suspicious skin lesions and monitoring of moles: a specialist consultation is warranted as soon as you notice a new lesion, one that is changing quickly, or one with an atypical shape (irregular edges, colour change, diameter > 6 mm).

  •  Moderate to severe acne and scar treatment: acne is a common condition affecting nearly 95% of teenagers. It sometimes persists into adulthood in inflammatory or cystic forms. Starting a suitable treatment early (antibiotics, retinoids, hormonal therapies) helps limit scarring and the psychological impact of acne.

  •  Chronic skin conditions (psoriasis, eczema, atopic dermatitis…): these conditions often require regular follow-up. Treatments (corticosteroids, immunomodulators, natural treatments, etc.) can be adjusted to help prevent flare-ups. Suitable care helps improve quality of life and prevent potential infectious complications.

  •  Skin infections and chronic ulcers: a combined local and systemic treatment is generally recommended for bacterial, fungal or parasitic skin infections (boils, pressure sores, leg ulcers).

  •  Pigmentation disorders and depigmentation: brown patches (melasma, lentigos) or white patches (vitiligo) often require a diagnosis to rule out more serious conditions. They can also be treated for personal cosmetic reasons.

In short, it is advisable to consult an online dermatologist as soon as new, persistent or disabling symptoms appear. They may occur during flare-ups, particularly for chronic conditions. Targeted screening programmes also exist (particularly for patients at high risk of melanoma). In any case, a regular visit to the dermatologist is recommended at least once a year from age 50, or in the presence of risk factors (family history, fair skin type, history of sunburn, etc.).