Usually fine online
- A localized, itchy rash without fever, such as many cases of contact dermatitis.
- Hives that come and go without any trouble breathing or swallowing.
- Suspected fungal infections such as ringworm.
Go in person instead
- Trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling of the lips, tongue or throat: call emergency services.
- A rash with fever, blisters, peeling skin, or one that involves the eyes, mouth or genitals: get urgent care.
- A rash that spreads quickly, is very painful, or follows a new medication.
What an online visit involves
- Photos of the rash close-up and from further away, and of every area it affects.
- Questions about when it started, new medicines, products, foods, plants or animals, and anyone else with it.
- A diagnosis or a short list of possibilities, a plan, and what to do if it worsens.
Photo tips: Photograph it as soon as you notice it: rashes and hives can fade before a reply comes. More in how to take good photos.
Nolla Derm
Rashes aren't among the concerns Nolla Derm lists. Use a dermatologist-run photo service, your own doctor, or urgent care if any warning sign is present.
Services that treat it
- DermatologistOnCall: store-and-forward (message-based) visits with board-certified dermatologists.
- Teladoc Health dermatology: store-and-forward consults, often through an employer or health plan.
- First Derm: anonymous store-and-forward opinions from board-certified dermatologists.
Judge any of them with the six-point checklist. The AAD recommends every platform offer an in-person option when you need one.[4]
Sources
Every numbered claim on this page points here. Providers' own pages were read in November 2026; prices and terms change, so check them again before you pay.
- Hives: FAQs · American Academy of Dermatology
- DermatologistOnCall · DermatologistOnCall
- Teladoc Health online dermatology · Teladoc Health
- AAD Teledermatology Standards · American Academy of Dermatology