With more apps popping up applying the principles of teledermatology, doctors warn users to be cautious, even if the convenience is tempting. (Dreamstime/TNS)
While snapping a photo of a suspicious mole with a phone and uploading it to an app might seem like the swiftest way to a diagnosis, dermatologists say users should be wary of such technology, especially when it comes to screening for skin cancer.
Several apps allow users to provide a list of symptoms and an image of their skin, whether it be a changing mole or an itchy rash, and submit it – for a fee – to an online dermatologist. That dermatologist can then recommend a cream, provide information on how to watch a benign-looking mole, or suggest making an appointment for an in-person biopsy with a local dermatologist.
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