Before your appointment

1. Your physician will fax us a request.
2. We will call you to schedule an appointment. It may take a few weeks or up to several months before we call you, depending on the specialists’ availability.

What to bring

• Valid Health Card
• List of all your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal medicines

Preparation for the appointment

• Do not wear moisturizer, make-up, skin cream or lotion

When you arrive

• Please use the Main Entrance and register at one of the self-serve kiosks at least 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Clerks are available to help with the registration process.
• Upon registering, take a pager. It will buzz and light up when your turn comes up and indicate in which room to report.
• Room numbers and other public interest messages are presented on the TV screens

The consultation

• You will first meet a nurse who will review your medical history and medication.
• The dermatologist may ask you to wear a hospital gown to conduct a skin inspection.
• To help diagnose a skin condition, the dermatologist may remove a small sample of skin for testing. This is called a skin biopsy.
• The treatment of a skin disorder may include a biopsy or cryotherapy.
• The dermatologist may prescribe other tests and treatment or refer you to another medical specialist.
• Plan approximately 15 minutes for the visit.

Information on procedures

Skin biopsy

A skin biopsy can be performed in three different ways, depending on the location and size of the skin lesion.

Punch biopsy

• A local anesthetic is used to numb the area.
• A hollow circular scalpel rotates over the skin area and lifts out a small piece of skin.
• A little bleeding may occur. Pressure will be applied to stop any bleeding and the wound will be covered with a bandage.
• Pain at the biopsy site is usually minimal. You can take over-the-counter pain reliever if needed.

Shave biopsy

• A local anesthetic is used to numb the area.
• A sharp blade is used to remove a thin piece from the top layer of skin.
• A little bleeding may occur. Pressure will be applied to stop any bleeding and the wound will be covered with a bandage.

Excision 

• A local anesthetic is used to numb the area.
• A scalpel is used to remove a skin lesion along with some of the healthy skin tissue around it.
• The incision is closed with stitches and covered with a bandage.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a procedure that uses extreme cold (liquid nitrogen) to destroy tissue. It is often used to treat benign or precancerous skin lesions. It also helps save the area around the lesions and reduce the scarring as much as possible.

• The dermatologist sprays liquid nitrogen on the area being treated to freeze it.
• The freezing may cause some discomfort and the treated area will become red soon after your procedure. It may also blister and swell. If this happens, don’t break open the blister.
• You may also see clear drainage on the treated area. This is normal.
• The treated area will heal in about 7 to 10 days.

Test results and follow-up

• The dermatologist will discuss test results or treatment options with you and send a written report to the referring physician within 10 working days.
• Results will also be available in your electronic medical record. For information on the creation of an account and how to access your electronic medical record, visit MyChart.
• If a follow-up appointment or an appointment with another medical specialist is required, we will call you to book an appointment.

Business hours

Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (except public holidays)

Telephone

613-632-1111, extension 52201
Toll-free: 1-800-790-8870, extension 52201

Fax

613-636-6175

Address

HGH – Main Campus
1111 Ghislain Street
Hawkesbury, ON K6A 3G5

The Dermatology Clinic is part of the Ambulatory Clinics located in Block B, level 1. View a hospital plan.

External resources

• For information on skin health, skin diseases and conditions, and treatment options, visit the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance.
• For resources on skin, hair and nail conditions, visit the Canadian Dermatology Association.

Referring a patient to HGH Allergy Clinic

Medical Specialist

Referral Form

To refer a patient, please use the Ocean Network or download the Consultation Request Form, fill it out and fax it to 613-636-6175.

• Link to Ocean eReferral Network
• CLI-11-3011 v3 Ambulatory Care Consultation Request (PDF)

Appointment booking line: 1-800-790-8870, extension 82500