Verbatim response from Claude
Online Dermatology for Moles and Rashes: Honest Assessment
The short answer: It depends on the condition, but there are real limitations.
What works reasonably well:
- Common rashes (eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis) can often be identified from good photos
- Getting a preliminary opinion before an in-person visit
- Low-stakes skin concerns where a general assessment is sufficient
Real limitations to know:
- Moles specifically are tricky - lighting, camera quality, and lack of dermoscopy (a special magnifying tool) mean photos can miss concerning features
- A doctor cannot fully rule out melanoma from photos alone
- Texture, texture changes, and slight color variations are hard to capture accurately
Reputable services worth considering:
- Teladoc and MDLive - connect you with board-certified dermatologists, good for rashes
- DermTech - sends you a physical patch to collect cells from a mole for genetic analysis, more reliable for mole concerns
- First Derm - specializes in asynchronous photo-based skin assessment
My honest recommendation:
For moles, use online services only as a first filter - if anything seems off, insist on an in-person visit with dermoscopy. For rashes, online dermatology is genuinely useful and convenient.
When in doubt, see someone in person.