Are Online Skin Ηealth Services Safe?

Dermatology has gone digital with websites and apps promising to diagnose your skin gripes and offering prescription-strength skincare solutions. Here's how you should navigate this virtual skin health space.

- MELISSA CHEW

These days, you don't have to make a trip to the clinic to see a doctor teleconsultations and apps have made these services digitally accessible. Joining the wave of "doctors without consultation rooms" is a slew of dermatology diagnostics offered online.

The visual diagnostic nature of skin conditions could be the reason why various online skin health services have been emerging, such as telehealth services Doctor Anywhere and White Coat. Even our public health system's National Skin Centre is on board the e-healthcare bandwagon.

My four-year old had a scratch on his forehead that didn't seem to be healing, and was oozing pus and blistering for over a week. As it happens, I have a friend who is a dermatologist, and so I texted her about it, together with clear photos of my child's wound.

She diagnosed it as impetigo, a common bacterial skin infection that causes sores and blisters. She added that it's not usually serious, and suggested washing it with chlorhexidine, then applying an antibiotic ointment like Fucidin before covering it with a light dressing. Thankfully, I had these in my medicine box at home, and the oozing wound was resolved in two days.

Although not an official telehealth service, this Whatsapp "consultation" with my dermatologist friend gave me a taste of having an online consultation and advice from a skin specialist. It was really convenient not having to leave my house to get a clear, professional diagnosis and the information to resolve the skin issue and give me peace of mind.

HOW A TELECONSULTATION WORKS