Online Dermatologist in Alberta

Cost of a skin visit anywhere in the province

Albertans whose health card is active pay nothing for the visit itself. If your card has lapsed, or you don't have Alberta coverage, the same appointment is $80. The price doesn't depend on where you live, so someone on an acreage near the Saskatchewan border and someone in a downtown apartment pay the same. Creams, pills and medicated shampoos are paid for at the pharmacy, where a drug plan may help. Hair loss treatment is a separate paid program and isn't part of this visit. One rule applies to everyone: you have to be physically inside Alberta while the call is happening.

Skin concerns that often work well over video

A lot of what brings people to a skin appointment shows up clearly on a phone camera. After looking and asking questions, the doctor may suggest changes to your skin care, prescribe a cream or pill when it's appropriate, or order blood work before certain medicines. If you can choose, pick video over a phone call, so the doctor isn't relying only on your description. Concerns often handled this way include:

• Breakouts that drugstore products haven't settled
• Eczema, including cracked, itchy skin on the hands
• Rosacea that leaves the middle of the face flushed or bumpy
• Scaly psoriasis patches that come and go
• Rashes and fungal infections such as ringworm, athlete's foot or jock itch

Moles and spots that are changing

A mole is the one skin concern a camera shouldn't be trusted with. The Canadian Cancer Society lists the ABCDE warning signs of melanoma: one half shaped differently from the other, a ragged or blurry edge, uneven colour, a width over 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser), and any change in colour, size, shape or feel. It advises seeing a doctor about any of these. Finding out whether a spot is cancer needs an in-person skin exam and may need a biopsy, where tissue is removed and checked in a lab. If you book about a mole, expect the doctor to arrange that exam or a referral rather than give you an answer on screen.

Photos that make a remote skin exam more useful

Pictures taken before your appointment can capture things a live video struggles with, like a rash that faded by the time you logged on or a patch in the middle of your back. Internet in rural areas can be patchy too, so good photos on your phone mean the doctor isn't relying on a shaky camera feed alone. A family member can help with spots you can't reach. These habits make your pictures easier to read:

• Stand beside a window in daylight, with flash, filters and beauty modes turned off
• Take one photo close up and another from about arm's length to show the pattern
• Place a coin or ruler beside a spot so its size is easy to judge
• Retake the same area on later days, in similar light, to track any change

Reaching a dermatologist from a smaller Alberta community

In Alberta, dermatologists normally see patients who come with a referral. If you don't have a family doctor, or yours is hard to reach, a TelePlus Care doctor can write one when the assessment shows you need it. The dermatology office decides when to book you, and wait times are outside our control. If the nearest office means a long drive, a little preparation helps the trip count:

• Keep a dated photo record so the dermatologist can see how your skin has changed
• List every cream, pill and product you've used, and for how long
• Book a follow-up visit if your skin gets worse while you wait
• Call Health Link 811 for free nurse advice if you're unsure how urgent a change is