This app lets you see a derm STAT

Did you know that compared to other medical specialists, there are the least dermatologists per capita in the United States? This explains why it can take weeks or months to get an appointment—which doesn’t really help when you have a rash like, now. I’m lucky enough to have a bevy of dermatologists on speed dial, and I’ve never hesitated to email or text a photo of something funky just to make sure it wasn’t anything serious. But if you don’t have this luxury, fret not, because the Spruce app has you covered.

Once you download the app, choose a board-certified dermatologist (you can see all of their credentials, such as their certifications and education) from a list of doctors in your area. From there, you provide your medical history as well as photos of your problem, be it acne, eczema, a bite or a mysterious rash that came out of nowhere. Within 24 hours you’ll get a diagnosis and treatment plan, including prescriptions if necessary. Each “visit” also includes 30 days of messaging after you receive your diagnosis in case you have follow-up questions.

The app itself is free, however the charge for each “visit” is $40—which is less than half of my co-pay! How insane is that? This app certainly won’t replace my annual full-body check, but I have it on my phone and ready to go in the event of a dermatological emergency. Just keep in mind that Spruce isn’t available in all states, but it’s definitely worth checking to see if you can use it in yours!