Glad you've found somebody who can perform the punch biopsy (not just a skin scraping). Is the dermatologist also going to analyze the specimens or send them out? Three sites are biopsied - just above the outside ankle, a few inches above the knee on the lower outer thigh and then probably 6 - 8 inches above that on the outer high. So suggest you ask the dermatologist whether that's how he/she does them.

A 500 mile drive would take you about 7 - 8 hours, so yes that would be "out."

Let us know how it goes, and good luck!

Sheltiemom