Caveat Emptor!

I was initially relieved after getting the following analysis from the folks at FirstDerm:

"Based on the information and images submitted, this is possibly a ABSCESS: Abscesses are a collection of pus or liquid that has accumulated in a cavity under the skin as a result of a bacterial infection"

I consulted my dermatologist just to make sure. She took a one look at it and said "thats cancer". You will notice that this app carefully hedges all of its evaluations with the disclaimer that they are NOT "diagnoses" and that the use of this app does not "create a doctor patient relationship".

That may protect them legally but I would advise anyone who is contemplating using this app to think twice before trusting the analysis of any photographs you send them. The fact that my dermatologist had only to take a cursory glance at the sore on my arm to correctly diagnose the lesion as cancer (later borne out by lab tests!) may serve as a warning to others who are contemplating using the services of FirstDerm.

Legally, I am sure they are on solid ground (notice their careful use of the word "possibly") but this is a good example of lax regulation on the part of the US government because I think many people would take their evaluation at face value and take no further action, thereby exposing themselves to the possibility of serious harm.

Caveat Emptor!

Hotshirtman about Dermatology First Derm