Following instances of pictures being shared online of people with skin conditions, alongside thoughtless monkeypox speculation, Dr Mabs Chowdhury, President of the British Association of Dermatologists, said:

“It is concerning to see pictures of people with rashes or skin conditions go viral due to thoughtless speculation about monkeypox. It adds to the stigma around the disease, which is enormously unhelpful; it is also the sort of thing that adds to the psychological burden of people living with a visible skin condition.

“It is important for people with skin conditions to be able to go about their life normally, without fear of being publicly shamed. As dermatologists, our message to patients is to not let their condition stop them from doing the things that they love.

“It’s simple: don’t take pictures of people with visible skin conditions in public, don’t speculate about their health, and don’t contribute to the stigma around monkeypox specifically and rashes more generally.”