[Harry01 (OP)]

Hello, I would be really greatful if someone studying biology can help me with my language of grouping microorganisms/living things It would help me in describing this living thing that clings to my skin. I just want a clearer language to describe to a dermatologist.

[Colin2B]

How do you intend to see the microorganisms in order to classify them? Are you going to culture them?

Dermatologists work with viewing the appearance of any lesion rather than working from a microorganism description, so I can’t see how what you are proposing will help.

[Harry01 (OP)]

That's a good point but I have no idea what to do. I have seen several GPs and that's why I got the appointment with the dermatologists of whom I have seen 3 as of January with several months wait in-between each appointment.

I can provide more detail about what they've prescribed but it's not worked and from the description of their letters they don't honestly seem to be engaging in it. As you said, relying on their visual diagnosis is failing here so I thought perhaps I would email some private dermatologists or find one where I can present this as clearly as possible.

If you can think of a better idea, that's great but I don't want to wait months and months while my life disappears.

[evan_au]

We may not be able to describe your skin microbiome, but maybe you can tweak it a bit, by doing some things that seem to work for other people...
- Make sure you get some outside exercise, exposing the skin to sunlight (but not so much as to get sunburn)
- Go for a swim in the sea

I think I just prescribed a Summer holiday! (A bit tough if you live in the northern hemisphere...)

[Harry01 (OP)]

It's been on my skin for 6 years and several months. Not sure how going in the sea or exposing it to sunlight will help.

[Colin2B]

........I thought perhaps I would email some private dermatologists or find one where I can present this as clearly as possible.

That sounds a good way forward, but they are going to be interested in appearance (photos) and symptoms (eg itch). They might suggest skin sample for analysis, but this is a specialist job for a lab as they are looking for more than microorganisms.
I really don’t think you will be able to do any analysis that will help.