Verbatim response from ChatGPT
Short answer: sometimes — but not always. Teledermatology can be reliable for many rashes and benign-appearing moles if images are good and the case is straightforward, but it has limits (especially for diagnosing melanoma or anything that may need a biopsy).
What affects reliability
- Image quality: clear, well‑lit, focused photos (close‑up plus a photo showing the lesion in context) greatly improve accuracy.
- Type of problem: inflammatory rashes and common benign lesions are easier to diagnose remotely than subtle skin cancer.
- Provider access: an actual dermatologist (synchronous video or asynchronous store‑and‑forward review by a dermatologist) is more reliable than an automated app alone.
- Need for tests: lesions that require dermoscopy or biopsy cannot be definitively ruled in/out by photos.
How accurate is it?
- Published concordance between teledermatology and in‑person diagnosis varies (roughly 70–90% for many conditions). Accuracy is lower for early melanoma or atypical lesions. Think of a remote consult as good for triage (urgent in‑person vs routine follow‑up), not a guaranteed “yes/no” cancer test.
When you should see someone in person urgently
- A new, changing, fast‑growing, irregular, bleeding, painful, or very itchy mole
- A mole with asymmetry, irregular border, multiple colors, or diameter over ~6 mm (or a “ugly duckling”)
- Rashes with fever, rapid spread, open sores, signs of infection, or systemic symptoms
If in doubt, err on the side of an in‑person dermatology visit or urgent care.
Practical tips for useful photos
- Use natural light or bright, even lighting; avoid flash glare.
- Take a distant photo to show location on the body and a close‑up for detail.
- Include a ruler, coin, or object for scale.
- Take photos from several angles and include an unfiltered, unedited image.
- If possible, take one photo of the lesion with dermoscopy (magnifying device) — some telederm services accept dermatoscope images.
Services and apps (examples)
- Teladoc: large telehealth platform that offers dermatologist consultations through video or uploaded photos; often covered by insurers. Good for general telederm access.
- Amwell (and similar like MDLive): offers live dermatology visits with board‑certified dermatologists — helpful when you prefer real‑time interaction.
- First Derm: asynchronous “ask a dermatologist” service for quick triage and initial opinion; useful if you want a fast expert take.
- SkinVision: AI‑driven app for assessing mole risk and monitoring; useful as an extra check and for tracking but not a substitute for a dermatologist.
- Miiskin: focused on mole tracking and photo comparison over time; helpful for monitoring changes and sharing consistent photos with a clinician.
What I recommend
- For an obviously changing or suspicious mole, seek an in‑person dermatology appointment (possible biopsy) rather than relying only on photos.
- For non‑urgent rashes or a benign‑looking mole, a reputable telederm (Teladoc, Amwell, First Derm) is a reasonable first step — they can triage and tell you whether you need an in‑person visit.
- Use SkinVision/Miiskin for tracking, but treat their results as supplementary.
If you want, tell me the situation (how the mole/rash looks, symptoms, how fast it changed) and I can help you decide whether telederm is reasonable or you should see someone in person, and I can tell you how to take the best photos for a remote consult. (I cannot diagnose from photos here.)