A study came out on Wednesday, in the Journal of the American Medical Association, that revealed that there are now 229 dermatological apps available to the smartphone-carrying public. I'm not sure why this merited a study and not just, you know, counting, but go with it.
The apps cover a wide range of topics and services, from acne to rosacea to mole monitoring. While this could be a good thing for people who can't afford to visit a dermatologist, the whole self-diagnosis aspect of some of these apps has the study author, Dr. Robert Dellavalle, of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, kind of weirded out.
"This is an area of buyer beware because there are no regulations and no guarantees that these apps are providing accurate medical information," he said in a statement.
Some of the most popular dermatology apps out there:
- SpotMole
- Pocket Derm
- Skin Scan (now known as SkinVision)
- Doctor Mole
- What's My Rash?
That last one sounds especially appealing, right?
I can see how these are helpful for either giving you peace of mind or motivating you to see a doctor, but I'm not sure I totally trust them. And neither does Dr. Dellavalle.
"I think most apps are generally safe right now, but I would not rely solely on them," he said.
How about you? Quick Question: Do you use any dermatology apps? Have you ever taken additional steps towards getting a diagnosis or treatment as a result of one?