Get Dermatology Care and Skin Condition Treatment Through Teladoc

Getting Dermatology Care Through Teladoc

Teladoc provides 24/7 access to virtual doctor visits, including appointments with dermatologists. This allows patients to conveniently get medical advice and treatment for various skin conditions without leaving their home. Read on to learn more about how Teladoc's dermatology services work.

Teladoc's Virtual Dermatology Network

Teladoc has a network of licensed dermatologists that patients can see for virtual visits. Patients simply select dermatology at the time of booking their appointment on the Teladoc website or mobile app.

The dermatologists can diagnose and develop treatment plans for numerous common skin conditions like acne, eczema, rashes, suspicious spots/moles, and more. Prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy if medications are needed.

What to Expect During Your Virtual Visit

A Teladoc dermatology appointment starts with filling out a medical history form online. You'll be asked questions about your skin condition, symptoms, current medications, and health background.

During the virtual visit, the dermatologist will speak with you about your concerns and review your medical history. You can use your device's camera to show the affected areas of your skin to the doctor.

The dermatologist may ask you questions as they visually examine the rash, lesion, etc. Clear photos and description of your symptoms will aid in reaching an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment and Follow Up Care

After evaluating your condition, the dermatologist will discuss their diagnosis and recommended treatment plan. This may include topical creams, oral medications, changes in soaps/lotions, allergy testing referrals, or advice to see your doctor in-person.

A report summarizing your diagnosis, treatment plan, and follow up instructions will be provided after your appointment. Prescriptions can be sent electronically to your chosen pharmacy.

Your dermatologist may recommend follow up appointments to monitor your response to treatment. You can easily book these through Teladoc for continued care.

Limitations of Virtual Dermatology Visits

While Teladoc provides convenient access to dermatologists, there are some limitations to virtual skin evaluations including:

• Inability to feel texture, warmth, swelling of affected areas
• Photo quality constraints
• Less thorough assessment compared to in-person exams
• Not appropriate for full body skin checks
• Follow up care relies heavily on patient photo updates
• Reduced ability to detect some early skin cancers

More serious skin conditions often require an in-person visit and possible biopsy or lab testing. Teladoc dermatologists will refer you to see a local dermatologist if they feel an in-office visit is needed.

Common Skin Conditions Treated by Teladoc Dermatologists

Teladoc dermatologists can diagnose and provide treatment plans for many basic skin conditions without an exam. Here are some examples:

Acne

Acne is characterized by whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, cysts, and nodules. Teladoc dermatologists can prescribe oral or topical medications to treat acne based on severity. Follow up is needed to monitor improvement.

Eczema

Eczema causes red, itchy, dry skin rashes. Dermatologists can recommend moisturizers, steroid creams, oral antihistamines, and other topical treatments to manage flare ups and itchiness.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis leads to red, scaly, thick patches on the skin. Teladoc derms may prescribe topical steroids, vitamin D creams, retinoids, and other treatments for mild cases. Severe psoriasis often requires in-office phototherapy or injections.

Rashes

Rashes have various causes including allergic reactions, fungal/yeast infections, autoimmune disorders, friction irritation, etc. Understanding the appearance and location of rashes helps dermatologists determine diagnosis and proper treatment.

Rosacea

Rosacea is characterized by facial redness, bumps, and visible blood vessels. Oral antibiotics, topical metronidazole, azelaic acid creams, and other prescription treatments can be prescribed for rosacea through a Teladoc visit.

Suspicious Spots and Moles

Teladoc dermatologists can visually assess new or changing moles and spots during a virtual visit. They can advise whether an in-office biopsy or removal is recommended versus continued monitoring with photo updates.

When an In-Person Dermatology Visit is Preferred

While Teladoc provides convenient virtual dermatology care, there are some cases where an in-office visit is still preferred or required. These include:

Full Body Skin Exams

Full body skin cancer screening exams allow dermatologists to closely inspect all your skin. This level of examination is not possible during a virtual visit. Annual in-office exams are recommended for high risk patients.

Suspected Skin Cancer

Dermatologists rely on detailed visual clues, palpation, dermoscopy and biopsy results to diagnose skin cancer. In-person visits are required for suspected melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and other skin cancers.

Skin Biopsies

If a mole or lesion needs a biopsy to determine if cancerous, this requires an in-office procedure. The sample is sent to pathology for testing. Biopsies cannot be performed virtually.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy precancerous skin lesions. This in-office procedure requires direct contact with the affected skin. It cannot be administered remotely by a Teladoc dermatologist.

Allergy Patch Testing

Patch testing determines skin allergies. Small amounts of suspected allergens are applied to your back and left in place for days. The dermatologist later examines the test sites in-person to interpret results.

Widespread Rashes

Some rashes like psoriasis and eczema can cover large surface areas of skin. In-office visits allow dermatologists to fully evaluate the extent of involvement and severity which guides treatment.

Using Teladoc and In-Person Dermatology Together

Teladoc virtual visits make dermatology care more convenient and accessible for many common skin conditions. However, in-office visits remain crucial for preventative care like skin cancer screening and diagnosis/treatment of complex skin diseases.

The best approach is to maintain regular in-person exams with your dermatologist along with using Teladoc for issues that arise in between visits. Teladoc also provides easy access for second opinions on skin treatments and diagnoses.

Combining both virtual and in-office dermatology care offers patients the most comprehensive management of their skin health.

Tips for a Successful Teladoc Dermatology Visit

These tips can help you have an efficient, productive virtual session with a Teladoc dermatologist:

Take Clear Photos

Use adequate lighting and zoom-in on the affected area when photographing your skin concern. Multiple pictures from different angles and distances are helpful.

Note All Symptoms

Be prepared to describe the appearance, size, shape, color, texture, pain, itching, scaling, oozing, crusting, and any other characteristics of the problem area.

Track Timeline

Know when the condition first appeared and jot down notes about changes over time. This timeline helps the dermatologist evaluate whether it's worrisome.

List All Current Medications

Have a list ready of all medications and supplements you currently take, including oral and topical. This helps avoid potential drug interactions.

Have Products on Hand

Have any lotions, creams, cleansers, makeup, or products you use on your skin available to read ingredients if the dermatologist asks.

Follow Up Properly

Follow all treatment instructions closely. Schedule any recommended follow up visits. Provide photo updates on your condition as requested.

Teladoc Makes Dermatology More Convenient

In summary, Teladoc offers virtual visits with licensed dermatologists for numerous common skin conditions. The convenience of seeing a dermatologist anytime online provides timely access to skin care.

Combining Teladoc's services with in-office exams when needed ensures you receive comprehensive dermatological treatment, management of chronic diseases, skin cancer screening, and the procedures that can only be performed in-person.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.