SSE plus mobile teledermoscopy is promising for surveillance of particular lesions even without detailed SSE instructions. However, in the format tested in this study, consumers may overlook lesions and send many nonpigmented lesions. This investigation demonstrates that high-quality dermoscopic images can be taken by patients at home with high accuracy.

Panniculitis, inflammation of the subcutaneous fat, is a relatively uncommon condition that usually presents with inflammatory nodules or plaques. Erythema nodosum (EN) is clinically the most frequent form of panniculitis and is considered a reactive process that may be triggered by a wide variety of stimuli. Whilst up to 55% of EN is considered idiopathic, the most common causes include infections, drugs, systemic illnesses such as sarcoidosis and inflammatory bowel disease, pregnancy, and malignancy. EN typically presents in the teens and 20s, and is seen more commonly in females. It is often preceded by a nonspecific prodrome of one to three weeks, which may include fever, malaise, and symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection. Cutaneous lesions then follow, typically localized on the extensor aspect of the limbs. The lesions are painful rounded or oval, slightly raised, non-ulcerative red nodules. The exact pathogenesis of EN is not understood, although is thought to result from deposition of immune complexes in the venules of the septae in subcutaneous fat, causing a neutrophilic panniculitis. The classical histopathological picture is of a septal panniculitis without vasculitis. However, the pathological features vary with the chronology of the lesions. Even without specific therapy for a causative condition, EN typically resolves without treatment. Therefore, symptomatic support is adequate for the majority of patients.

A trial of topical timolol solution in a 92-year-old patient with two chronic leg ulcers resulted in rapid healing of the treated ulcer. While this finding needs to be confirmed, topical timolol is a simple, inexpensive therapy that has the potential to help heal refractory wounds. 1 Tang J, Dosal J, Kirsner R. Topical timolol for a refractory wound. J Am Acad Dermatol 2012; 66 (4 Suppl 1): AB12. 2 Tang JC, Dosal J, Kirsner RS. Topical timolol for a refractory wound. Dermatol Surg 2012; 38: 135-138. 3 Drew P, Posnett J, Rusling L. The cost of wound care for a local population in England. Int Wound J 2007; 4: 149-155. 4 Vowden K, Vowden P, Posnett J. The resource costs of wound care in Bradford and Airedale primary care trust in the UK. J Wound Care 2009; 18: 93-94, 96-98, 100 passim.

We investigated community pharmacists' management of skin conditions in order to identify a need for further educational support. Twenty community pharmacists in Queensland completed a questionnaire regarding their management of skin conditions and their opinions regarding the usefulness of a potential teledermatology service. The pharmacists' accuracy in managing skin conditions was tested by a dermatologist who reviewed the pharmacists' advice in 33 cases obtained by 14 pharmacists. Overall agreement between the pharmacists and the dermatologist was moderate, with a kappa statistic of 0.58 (P < 0.05) The uptake of a potential teledermatology service was investigated in one pharmacy over one month. Five patients were offered the teledermatology service. Of these, two patients consented and three refused. All pharmacists (n = 20) indicated a desire for further education and supported the idea of a teledermatology service.