Telemedicine: Follow-up care

What should I expect after my telemedicine appointment?

After your telemedicine appointment, ask your dermatologist how they will follow up with you. They might call you or send you messages in another way. Ask your dermatologist if they have a patient portal, where they may send you messages or upload information about your visit and how to care for your skin, hair, and nails at home.

Your dermatologist may want to have another appointment with you — whether it’s an in-person visit or another telemedicine appointment — to see if your skin condition is improving.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, your dermatologist may be limiting the number of in-person visits they are conducting in order to prevent the virus from spreading and keep everyone safe. However, depending on your symptoms, they may ask you to come into their office for a follow-up appointment.

Here’s what you can do to safely receive follow-up care with your dermatologist if you have an in-office appointment:

• Follow precautions in your dermatologist’s office. Amid social distancing measures, your dermatologist may have special guidelines in place for in-person visits to protect patients and their staff. These might include waiting in your car until your appointment starts or limiting people allowed with you during your visit. Make sure to reach out to your dermatologist’s office before your visit so you can be prepared.

• Practice healthy habits. Take these steps to help slow the spread of the coronavirus:

  • Wear a face mask. To prevent skin irritation under your mask, follow these tips.
  • Wash your hands before entering your dermatologist’s office. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. If your hands get dry after handwashing, follow these tips.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use your elbow. Make sure to throw the tissue away immediately, and then wash your hands.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Limit the number of surfaces you touch in your dermatologist’s office.
  • Avoid close contact with others. If your dermatologist’s waiting room is open, put some space between you and other patients sitting in the waiting room.

Make sure to keep any follow-up telemedicine or in-person appointments that your dermatologist recommends in order to stay healthy.

Related AAD resources

• AAD Coronavirus Resource Center

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology

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