Medical Dermatology

Acne is the most common skin problem in the U.S., appearing in different forms, including blackheads. It usually begins in puberty, but can occur at any age.

AIDS is the loss of the body’s ability to fight infections and is caused by HIV virus. HIV patients often develop fungal, viral, and bacterial infections, and cancer.

Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss. An autoimmune disorder, it causes round or oval bald spots on the scalp and/or other areas of the body that have hair.

In angular cheilitis, red, swollen patches develop in one or both corners of the mouth. The condition is also called perleche and angular stomatitis.

Athlete’s foot is an infection caused by a group of mold-like fungi called dermatophytes. These tiny organisms are everyday residents in our skin.

A birthmark is a mark that appears on the skin at birth or soon after. Birthmarks may be found anywhere on the skin and vary in size, shape, and color.

A boil is a red, painful lump that develops when bacteria enter the skin. Boils can appear in a cluster, forming a carbuncle, which is a more serious.

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection characterized by pain, redness and swelling. It’s common and easy to treat with antibiotics in most cases.

Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by a reaction to allergens that come into contact with your skin. It can cause itching, redness and blisters.

Dandruff is a common scalp conditions and is easily identified by small white flakes of dead skin that fall off your scalp. It may make your scalp itch.

Dry skin can occur at any age, and for many reasons. Skin becomes dry when it loses too much water or oil, which can happen during the winter.

Dyshidrotic eczema causes itchy little blisters on fingers, palms and feet. Learn about dyshidrotic eczema symptoms, triggers and treatments.

Eczema is a condition that causes red, dry, intensely itchy patches of skin that may crack, crust and weep. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type.

It’s highly likely that one or more skin disorders will affect your face during your life, whether it’s acne as a teenager or sun damage as you grow older.

Folliculitis is inflammation of hair follicles due to infection by bacteria or fungus. Symptoms vary. In many cases, the condition resembles acne.

Fordyce spots are small, pale bumps caused by enlarged sebaceous (oil) glands. Common among adults, they are benign and are not contagious.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a permanent condition that causes hair loss along the front and sides of your hairline. Eyebrow loss is common.

Fungi (plural of fungus) spread easily from person to person and grow quickly in warm, moist areas. Many fungal infections develop on the skin or nails.

Genital warts, also called venereal warts or condylomata acuminata, are caused by the human papilloma virus. Some types are low-risk and others cause cancer.

Our hair and nails often reflect our general state of health. This is a list of common hair and nail changes and what you can do about them.

Hair loss is a common problem for women and men, and it can be distressing. Hereditary hair loss is a medical condition that affects millions of people.

Many people diagnose and treat head lice at home. If you need professional help, your dermatologist can offer treatment with or without prescriptions.

A hemangioma is a benign birthmark that may appear at birth or begins growing shortly thereafter. It forms due to an abnormal collection of blood vessels.

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes blisters and sores around the mouth, nose, genitals, and buttocks, but they may occur almost anywhere on the skin.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a rare, long-term skin disease that usually begins as pimple-like bumps that develop in areas where the skin rubs together.

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes excessive sweating. The word “hyperhidrosis” means too much (hyper) sweating (hidrosis).

Dark spots or dark patches of skin may be a result of hyperpigmentation, especially on areas that get the most sun. Read about it and treatments.

Ichthyosis vulgaris or just ichthyosis, is part of a group of skin diseases that cause extremely dry, thick, and scaly skin that looks like fish scales.

Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection spread through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has it. Anyone can get it.

Intertrigo is a common rash that typically occurs in skin folds, such as the armpits or toes. The cause is usually friction with trapped heat and moisture.

Kaposi sarcoma is a rare cancer that develops in cells that line blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. It causes lesions on the skin or mucous membranes.

Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition that causes small, rough bumps on the skin. The bumps are plugs of dead skin cells that clog pores.

A lipoma is a benign tumor made of fat cells that creates a soft lump just below the skin. Lipomas are usually small, but some can grow bigger.

Melasma is a common skin condition that causes brown to gray-brown patches, usually on the cheeks, bridge of nose, forehead, chin, and upper lip.

Milia are small white or yellowish bumps that appear on the face, usually on eyelids, forehead, nose, and cheeks. Milia are most common in infants.

Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin disease caused by a poxvirus that spreads easily and results in small, raised bumps anywhere on the skin.

Nail problems make up about 10 percent of all dermatological conditions and can warn a doctor of an underlying medical condition.

Nummular eczema, also called discoid eczema or nummular dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin condition that causes an itchy, red, circular rash.

Perioral dermatitis is a rash that resembles acne and forms around the mouth. The rash is red on light-colored skin, and skin-colored on darker complexions.

Pityriasis rosea is a common skin rash that begins as a large circular spot on the abdomen, back or chest. New lesions appear on the trunk and arms.

The leaves of poison ivy, oak, and sumac contain urushiol, a toxic oil that causes a red, itchy, uncomfortable, sometimes severe rash on your skin.

Pruritus is an itch or a sensation that makes a person want to scratch. It can be due to faulty processing of the itch sensation within the nervous system.

Psoriasis occurs when the immune system sends faulty signals making skin cells grow too quickly, creating a layer of scaly, itchy white skin.

Psoriatic arthritis is joint pain and inflammation associated with psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis occurs in 5-30% of patients with cutaneous psoriasis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can cause rashes and other skin conditions. RA is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that can affect the entire body.

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that begins with temporary facial redness. Other symptoms include visible blood vessels and acne-like breakouts.

Scabies is caused by a tiny mite that has infested humans for at least 2,500 years. It is often hard to detect and causes a fiercely itchy skin condition.

Sebaceous hyperplasia is a common, benign condition of sebaceous (oil) glands that typically appears in infants and adults of middle age or older.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes patches of itchy, scaly and flaky skin on the scalp, face, chest, and skin folds.

Seborrheic keratosis is a type of harmless skin growth that most often appears on the chest, back, head or neck. They appear during middle age or later.

Shingles typically causes more pain and less itching than chicken pox. A person may feel burning, itching, tingling, or extreme sensitivity on the skin.

Many common growths develop on people’s skin. While the causes are often poorly understood, some are associated with aging and others are inherited.

Your skin is typically an effective barrier to internal infection but sometimes skin conditions occur due to the presence of bacteria, fungi or viruses.

There are many different types of skin rashes that can occur for many reasons, including an allergic reaction, medications, plants, infection or disease.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) spread from person to person through sexual contact (genital, anal or oral). Many STDs cause skin rashes.

Stucco keratosis is a condition characterized by multiple benign wart-like lesions that are typically small and white or gray in color.

Discover what syphilis rash looks like, how it’s treated, and what can happen if you don’t get antibiotics for the underlying syphilis infection.

Tinea versicolor is a common skin condition due to overgrowth of a skin surface yeast. This overgrowth results in uneven skin color and scaling.

Toenail fungus is a common fungal infection of the toenail that starts as a discolored spot on a toenail and can spread to the entire nail and other nails.

Urticaria or hives are localized, pale, itchy, pink patches that can burn or sting. They can occur on any part of the skin and are part of an allergic reaction.

Vitiligo is a skin condition resulting from loss of pigmentation, which produces white patches. Although treatment is available, there is no single cure.

Warts are skin growths caused by a viral infection (HPV) in the top layer of the skin. Warts are usually skin-colored and rough, but they can be dark and flat.

Xerosis cutis is the medical term for abnormally dry skin. It is common in the elderly. Symptoms include dry, itchy, scaly skin with white flakes.