Eczema is chronic. The wait for care shouldn’t be.
Fern is an online clinic for atopic dermatitis. A licensed clinician reviews your case (no waiting, no insurance) and your prescription ships the same day.
How It Works
Care that fits your life.
Fern is a telehealth service for atopic dermatitis, including pediatric care when clinically appropriate. Patients or caregivers complete an online intake, provide relevant medical history and photos, and a licensed clinician reviews the information to determine whether treatment, follow-up, or additional evaluation is appropriate.
01
Complete a short intake
A 5-minute form covers your skin history, current symptoms, any medications you're taking, and photos of affected areas. No appointment needed, fill it out from anywhere.
02
A clinician reviews your case
A US-licensed clinician reviews your intake typically within 24 hours. They assess severity, rule out conditions outside our scope, and choose the right treatment from our formulary.
03
Your prescription ships
If treatment is appropriate, your prescription is sent to our pharmacy partner and ships free, in discreet packaging. Most members receive their medication within 2–3 business days.
04
Ongoing check-ins
Your clinician follows up on a regular schedule to confirm treatment is working and safe to continue. Message your care team anytime through your Fern account: no additional fee.
24h
Typical response time
12
Rx medications in formulary
50+
States & DC covered
Clinical Excellence
Evidence-based care, delivered by licensed clinicians.
Every Fern case is reviewed by a US-licensed clinician with experience in dermatology. We don't use AI to diagnose or prescribe, a clinician reviews every intake before any treatment decision is made.
Our formulary covers the full evidence-based range for atopic dermatitis: low- to super-high-potency topical steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, topical antibiotics, and oral antihistamines for nighttime itch. Every medication included has a strong clinical evidence base for AD management.
US-licensed clinicians
Every case is reviewed by a licensed clinician: not automated. No AI prescribing. No physician override shortcuts.
Scope-appropriate care
We treat mild-to-moderate AD in patients of all ages, including children. Cases outside our scope are declined and referred, you won't be charged.
Formulary grounded in evidence
12 medications covering the AAD treatment ladder, from first-line topicals to calcineurin inhibitors and oral antihistamines.
Regular clinical follow-up
Prescriptions are reviewed on a set schedule. Clinicians can escalate, adjust, or discontinue treatment based on your progress.
When Fern isn't the right fit
If your case requires an in-person biopsy, suspected skin cancer workup, or specialist-level care that falls outside our clinical scope, your clinician will tell you directly, and you won't be charged for the visit. We'd rather lose a customer than provide the wrong care.
Innovation
Online dermatology care isn't a workaround, it's a better model for eczema.
The average wait to see a dermatologist in the US is over 30 days. For a condition that flares unpredictably, that gap between need and care causes real harm, untreated flares, inappropriate OTC use, and long-term skin damage.
Fern's online clinician-review model is designed for atopic dermatitis care, using structured intake information and photos to help licensed clinicians determine appropriate next steps.
Photo-first intake
Structured photo upload with body area mapping gives clinicians a clear, reproducible baseline to track progress against.
Validated severity scoring
Our intake uses a patient-reported severity instrument adapted from published AD outcome measures, so clinicians have consistent data to act on.
OTC personalization engine
Our routine quiz maps severity score, triggers, body areas, and preferences to a curated AM/PM OTC bundle, reviewed by a clinician before finalization.
Messaging between visits
Questions between check-ins don't require a new visit. Members message their care team directly through their Fern account.
Quality & Safety
Safety is where we do not compromise.
Telehealth creates speed, but speed without guardrails is dangerous. We've built clinical and technical safeguards into every step of the Fern visit.
Every intake is reviewed by a licensed clinician: no automated prescribing.
Cases with signs of secondary infection, open wounds, or severity outside our scope are escalated or declined before any prescription is issued.
Potent topical steroids (Class I–II) require explicit clinical justification documented in the case record.
All Fern clinicians complete an onboarding protocol specific to async AD management and our formulary.
Adverse event reporting is built into the member messaging system and reviewed by our clinical lead.
We operate under a licensed physician medical director who reviews clinical protocols and signs off on scope-of-practice policies.
Your privacy
Your photos, intake responses, and clinical notes are encrypted at rest and in transit, stored on secure infrastructure, and never shared with advertisers or sold to third parties.
Encrypted at rest & in transit
Zero advertiser data sharing
Secure data handling with all vendors
When to seek emergency care
Fern is not for emergencies. If you experience difficulty breathing, severe swelling, signs of a systemic allergic reaction, or rapidly spreading skin infection: call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Do not use the Fern messaging system for emergencies.
Why Fern
You've been waiting long enough.
Atopic dermatitis affects roughly 16 million American adults. Most of them have been managing it with 1% hydrocortisone from the drugstore: not because it works well, but because getting an actual prescription is inconvenient, expensive, and slow.
Fern exists to close that gap: real clinical care, at the right price, without the friction.
vs. Dermatologist appointment
Typical experience
30+ day wait. Co-pay. Referral often required. Prescription faxed to a pharmacy you choose.
With Fern
Clinician responds within 24 hours. $45 flat. No referral. Medication shipped to your door.
vs. Urgent care or GP
Typical experience
Walk-in for skin is common, but GPs often lack dermatology depth. May prescribe only low-potency steroids regardless of severity.
With Fern
Clinicians selected for derm experience. Full formulary including calcineurin inhibitors and mid-to-high-potency topicals when appropriate.
vs. OTC products alone
Typical experience
Hydrocortisone 1% is the ceiling without a prescription. Effective for mild cases, but inadequate once the skin barrier is significantly compromised.
With Fern
OTC routine built around your severity score. Prescription-strength medication available when clinically indicated, included in the visit fee.
31
Avg. days to see a derm in the US
$45
Flat visit fee, Rx included
24h
Typical clinical response
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