Buyers Warned to Not Rely on Dermatology Apps 100 Percent

All 229 dermatology apps may be available for everyone to use but researchers have found that not all of them are 100 percent reliable, according to CBS News.

A study in JAMA Dermatology published Wednesday claims that although most of the dermatology-based apps are free, buyers should be cautious because there are no regulations or guidelines that ensure these apps are giving correct medical information

After reviewing the available apps on the market, the researchers found that there were apps that monitored psoriasis, diagnosed melanoma, listed sun screen or skin medication advice, educated people about dermatology and helped connect people with patient organizations. Other apps focused on specific skin conditions like acne.

There were eight apps that focused on self-surveillance and diagnosis, but they ranged in what they allowed the user to do. Some let users record skin lesions, while others let the user upload photos which were then judged by a dermatologist or by an algorithm that looked at the potential that this image was a cancerous lesion.

Others allowed users to make their own judgments using listed diagnostic criteria. Some apps let people log their personal treatment methods. Only a handful of the apps were designed with medical professional input, despite most of the apps were meant to be used by consumers and patients.

"There is a huge expansion of medical apps across all disciplines now," senior study author Dr. Robert Dellavalle, associate professor of dermatology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said in a press release. "This will require some caution by users but it also opens up new opportunities. I think most apps are generally safe right now, but I would not rely solely on them."