(Reuters Health) – With a few exceptions, a dermatologist was just as accurate in diagnosing children’s skin conditions from smartphone photos taken by parents as the doctors who saw the kids in person, a small U.S. study found.
Along with some basic clinical information, a high-quality photo taken with a modern smartphone can be a reliable way to get an accurate dermatologic diagnosis, the study team argues in JAMA Dermatology.
Two categories of skin conditions could be more difficult to diagnose remotely: hair disorders, such as alopecia, and deeper skin lesions, including nodules and cysts, senior study author Dr. Patrick McMahon of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia said by email.
