By sending in your photos, you are agreeing to the photos being saved to your GP records, and to the photo being sent on to other healthcare professionals, such as a dermatologist, for expert advice. Let your GP know if you do not want this to happen, or if you would like the photo to be deleted from your GP patient record after review.

Please do not send any photos of intimate areas of skin, such as the groin, breast or buttocks, either of yourself or of a child under 18-years-old.

How to take the best-quality photo

• Try to find someone to help you, such as a family member or friend. It’s much better if someone else takes the photo. If not, you can take the photo yourself using a smartphone or digital camera.
• Make sure the area to be photographed is held still, ideally by resting it on a surface. If possible, use a plain background against the skin. Avoid shadows and any background distractions.
• Take the photo in a well-lit room with lots of natural light, but avoid direct sunlight. If this is not possible, you may have to turn the flash on to help light up the area.
• The photos need to be sharp and in focus. To use auto-focus using a smartphone, tap the screen, which will create a yellow square or circle around the area of interest. Focus is more important than how close-up you can get.
• Don’t edit or add filters to your photos, as this could affect diagnosis. The affected area of skin needs to look the same on the screen as it does in real life.

How many photos should you take?

Please take two to three pictures to show the shape and size of the area. This will enable an accurate diagnosis or assessment.

The first photo should establish the area on your body from a distance. The second photo should be a closer photo of the area of concern. If this is a rash/area of inflammation, take a photo of the worst affected area. If different areas of the body are affected, photos of the different areas will also be needed, for example, on the face, as well as on the body.