How Telehealth Can Help People With Eczema

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Eczema (or atopic dermatitis) affects about 30% of people in the United States. It’s a chronic inflammatory condition causing dry, itchy skin that invites scratching which can lead to infection. Eczema is treated by dermatologists, but not everyone is able to find a dermatologist they trust who practices in their area. Fortunately, telehealth has emerged to increase access, extend treatment, reduce the severity of symptoms, and improve quality of life.

Telehealth can refer to any technology-based process that bridges a physical distance in health care. It can be as simple as an email exchange or telephone call with your doctor or as robust as a video conference where you talk to your dermatologist in real time. Get familiar with common methods:

• Online patient portals that allow you to access, upload, and download your medical information securely
• Secure email and text messaging between you and your doctor, which can include sending photos of affected skin and receiving a treatment plan in response
• Apps you can use to track your symptoms, share them with your doctor, and receive personalized health education
• Video-based virtual doctor’s visits that mimic the in-person experience

Just like with an in-person appointment, getting organized in advance can help you and your doctor get the most out of a virtual video visit. In both scenarios, it’s a good idea to write down what you want to cover and any questions you have. With telehealth, it’s also beneficial to:

• Test drive your computer and phone for the appointment process
• Choose a quiet, well-lit spot for your appointment
• Provide any information online that your doctor has asked for
• Send your doctor current photos of your eczema, especially if it’s in an area (like your foot) that would be hard to hold up to the camera

Follow-up is important for treating eczema effectively because the condition tends to relapse. Unfortunately, it’s easy for people with eczema to put off in-person appointments due to scheduling conflicts, time constraints, and competing demands from work and family. Telehealth makes follow-up infinitely easier by shifting the process to email, phone, and video. One study showed that with telemedicine, doctors could answer individual follow-up questions within five minutes most of the time.

Make sure you understand your doctor’s follow-up process. Should you expect to send and receive emails? Or should you check a patient portal or app for written instructions, summaries, and links?

Most people with eczema tend to feel good about the results of telehealth treatment. Talk with your doctor about what telehealth can offer you.