Teledermatology practice in the COVID-19 pandemic

Pandemics like influenza and plague have posed a great threat to humanity in the past. Recent outbreak of COVID-19, a viral pandemic, has motivated the global community for social distancing and enforcement of lockdown. Teledermatology practice (TP) is an effective, safe, and fast medium to reach one who is difficult to reach. It is a medium for a dermatologist to cater the needy patients. Store-and-forward (SAF) teledermatology mobile apps (e.g., WhatsApp) perform to capture, transfer, and store the clinical images. This overview provides an insight to TP. In an Indian scenario, SAF TP meets the technical requirement, economical, and easy to practice. Spotters, pediatric, geriatric, and chronic cases are managed with TP. The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists in view of COVID-19 situation encourages its members to perform TP and provide care. The members may practice TP after observing all conditions as in telemedicine guidelines prepared by the National Medical Council with due caution.