Tired Joint Pain Rash on Face? Your Next Healthcare Steps in Dallas, TX

joint painrashfatigueDallashealthcarerheumatologydermatologyfamily practiceinternal medicinesymptom evaluation

Tired Joint Pain Rash on Face? Your Next Healthcare Steps in Dallas, TX

If you’ve been feeling unusually tired for weeks, waking up with achy joints, and now notice a red rash across your cheeks — plus swelling fingers and occasional fevers — it’s completely normal to feel concerned and want answers. These symptoms together can be unsettling, and it makes sense that you started searching for information. You’re not alone in having these questions, and you’re absolutely doing the right thing by looking into what might be causing your symptoms.

This post is here to guide you on what to do next: who you should see for an evaluation, what kinds of exams or tests you might expect, and a clear idea of the costs for those visits in the Dallas, TX area. Understanding these next steps can help you feel more in control and ready to take action for your health.

Who to See for Your Symptoms in Dallas, TX

Based on the mix of tiredness, joint pain, facial rash, swelling, and fevers, here are some types of doctors that could be the best starting points to get the answers you need:

  • Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who can evaluate a range of symptoms, run labs, and help coordinate care or referrals. A great first step to begin the investigation.
  • Internal Medicine Doctor: Specializes in adult medicine and chronic conditions. They can assess complex symptoms and perform detailed testing.
  • Rheumatologist: A specialist focused on autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that affect joints, muscles, and sometimes skin. Given your joint pain and rash, this could be an important expert.
  • Dermatologist: Focuses on skin conditions, including rashes. They can diagnose the rash on your cheeks and determine if it is linked to an underlying condition.

What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs

Visit with a Family Practice Doctor

  • Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)

  • Purpose: A thorough discussion and physical exam to understand your symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain, and rash. They often order initial tests and manage referrals.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $193.57 (typically ranges from $145.18 to $241.96)

  • Provider Availability: This estimate is based on 494 providers in the Dallas area.

  • Procedure: Complete blood cell count — automated test and differential white blood cell count (CPT Code: 85025)

  • Purpose: A blood test to check for infections, inflammation, and general health clues about your immune system.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $17.07 (ranges from $9.12 to $25.03)

  • Provider Availability: 24 providers.

  • Procedure: Blood test for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (CPT Code: 84443)

  • Purpose: Checks thyroid function, since thyroid problems can cause fatigue and joint issues.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $31.72 (ranges from $19.75 to $43.69)

  • Provider Availability: 18 providers.

  • Procedure: Creatinine level test (CPT Code: 82570)

  • Purpose: Tests kidney function or muscle injury, which can relate to overall health and inflammation.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $10.38 (ranges from $6.07 to $14.68)

  • Provider Availability: 29 providers.

Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor

  • Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)

  • Purpose: Comprehensive evaluation focused on adult health and complex symptoms like yours.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $194.08 (ranges from $145.56 to $242.60)

  • Provider Availability: 508 providers.

  • Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CPT Code: 85025)

  • Purpose: Similar blood work to check immune activity and detect infection or inflammation.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $13.47 (ranges from $9.10 to $17.84)

  • Provider Availability: 57 providers.

  • Procedure: Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test (CPT Code: 84443)

  • Purpose: Assesses thyroid gland function to explain fatigue or other symptoms.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $27.60 (ranges from $19.72 to $35.48)

  • Provider Availability: 49 providers.

  • Procedure: Rheumatoid factor level (CPT Code: 86431)

  • Purpose: This test looks for antibodies often present in rheumatoid arthritis, which can cause joint pain and swelling.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $8.74 (ranges from $6.55 to $10.92)

  • Provider Availability: 1 provider.

Visit with a Rheumatologist

  • Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)

  • Purpose: A specialist visit focused on pinpointing autoimmune or inflammatory causes of your joint pain, rash, and fevers.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $193.95 (ranges from $145.46 to $242.44)

  • Provider Availability: 55 providers.

  • Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CPT Code: 85025)

  • Purpose: To look for inflammation and infection that might explain symptoms.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.05 (ranges from $9.04 to $15.06)

  • Provider Availability: 21 providers.

  • Procedure: Rheumatoid arthritis antibody test (CPT Code: 86200)

  • Purpose: Measures antibodies that suggest rheumatoid arthritis or similar autoimmune diseases.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $20.00 (ranges from $15.00 to $25.00)

  • Provider Availability: 14 providers.

  • Procedure: Rheumatoid factor level (CPT Code: 86431)

  • Purpose: Identifies rheumatoid factor antibodies linked to joint inflammation.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $8.77 (ranges from $6.58 to $10.96)

  • Provider Availability: 14 providers.

  • Procedure: Red blood cell sedimentation rate to detect inflammation (CPT Code: 85652)

  • Purpose: A test that measures inflammation in your body, often elevated in autoimmune conditions.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $4.19 (ranges from $3.14 to $5.24)

  • Provider Availability: 15 providers.

Visit with a Dermatologist

  • Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
  • Purpose: A focused visit to diagnose and treat the rash on your face and check if it’s related to underlying conditions.
  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $198.94 (ranges from $149.21 to $248.68)
  • Provider Availability: 118 providers.

Your symptoms deserve professional attention to find the right diagnosis and treatment. Here’s what to do now:

  1. Schedule an Appointment with a Family Practice doctor or Internal Medicine specialist first since they can evaluate all your symptoms, order initial tests, and refer you to a Rheumatologist or Dermatologist if needed. If the rash is especially concerning or prominent, consider seeing a Dermatologist sooner.
  2. Prepare for Your Visit by writing down all your symptoms in detail: when they started, how they’ve changed, any new symptoms like fever, and your concerns. This will help your provider understand your situation quickly.
  3. Discuss Costs with the provider’s office when you book the appointment. The prices here are estimates for self-pay patients in Dallas and can vary based on your insurance and testing needs.
  4. Stay Reassured: Many conditions causing these symptoms are manageable once diagnosed. Taking these steps puts you on the path to feeling better.

Need Help Navigating Your Options?

Finding affordable, trustworthy care can be confusing, especially if you’re uninsured or new to the system. That’s why we built Transparent Health: a tool to help you understand your options and find the right provider for your needs.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.