Whether remote consultation is possible differs by regulation and period. If you enquire by telephone before attending, we will tell you the current basis accurately.

However, with skin conditions seeing it directly is the core of the diagnosis. The colour, border, thickness, whether it is weeping, and the distribution of the lesion must be confirmed by eye, and a photograph has its limits.

Even what looks like the same rash may be eczema, psoriasis, a fungal infection or a drug reaction — all requiring completely different treatment. If it is a first visit, attending is more accurate.

The following are not situations to judge remotely: where a rash spreads with fever, where blisters form, where the lips or the area around the eyes swell, where weeping and yellow crusting appear over a wide area, or where the pain is severe. Immediate dermatology or emergency care is needed.