The invention relates to a method for operating a whole-body image recording and image processing system (02), at least comprising the method steps: recording of digital images (B1- B12) of a body to be examined; generating of at least one combination image (B14, B58) from at least two different images (B1- B4, B5 - B8); identification of the skin surface (H) of the body to be examined in the images and/or combination images; identifying of predefined segments of the identified skin surface (H) in the images and/or combination images; identifying of skin regions in the images and/or combination images, which have reddening or scab formation; calculating of the proportionate surface of the identified skin region per segment; determining of a grade of reddening of the skin surface, of the grade of scab formation of the skin surface and of a grade of curvature of the skin surface in the identified skin regions per segment; calculating of each segment value; calculating of a weighted total value; output of the total value and/or the segment values.