Photos that can save your skin

A FEW readers have written to tell me about their struggles sending photographs of their skin problems, via mobile phone, to their GP.

I know it might seem as though we’re asking for photos because we don’t want to see you in person, but that’s not the case. Usually, GPs can tell from a picture if a skin lesion is potentially serious – and can swiftly refer them to a specialist. This is far better than making patients wait for face-to-face appointments.

Some people worry their pictures aren’t good enough, while others can’t take one as they don’t have a smartphone.

If a GP does see a patient, they can take medical images using a special camera, and these pictures are even more reliable. If you don’t have the right tech, GPs should be inviting you in to be photographed in this way.