Skin Problems

The common type of acne is called acne vulgaris. It mainly affects adolescents but may persist or even become more severe in adulthood…

Herpes simplex is a common viral infection that presents with localized blistering. It affects most people on one or more occasions during their lives…

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disorder in which pigment cells (melanocytes) are destroyed, resulting in irregularly shaped white patches on the skin…

The medical term for hair loss is alopecia. Alopecia may be localized or diffuse. Patients may notice hair shedding, poor hair quality, hair thinning or bald areas…

Moles are common skin lesions. They are called melanocytic naevi, as they are due to a proliferation of the pigment cells, melanocytes. If they are brown or black in colour, they may also be called pigmented naevi. Moles are benign in nature (harmless), but a malignant melanoma (cancerous mole) may arise within a mole…

Eczema is a common skin condition with multiple clinical patterns, characterized histologically by a spongiotic tissue reaction pattern. The terms eczema and dermatitis are often used interchangeably to denote a polymorphic inflammatory reaction pattern involving the epidermis and dermis…

Atopic eczema is a chronic, itchy skin condition that is very common in children but may occur at any age. It is also known as eczema, atopic dermatitis and neurodermatitis. It is the most common form of dermatitis. Atopic eczema arises because of a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors…

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, scaly rash that affects people of all ages (about 2% of the population). There is a genetic predisposition to psoriasis i.e. it tends to run in families. Psoriasis is also influenced by many environmental factors. It is not contagious and is not due to an allergy…

Rosacea is a chronic rash involving the central face that most often affects those aged 30 to 60. It is common in those with fair skin, blue eyes and of Celtic origin. It may be transient, recurrent or persistent and is characterized by its color, red…

Allergic contact dermatitis is an itchy skin condition caused by an allergic reaction to material (the allergen) in contact with the skin. It arises some hours after contact with the responsible material, and settles down over some days providing the skin is no longer in contact with it…

It is the most common type of Lentigines which are caused by localized proliferation of melanocytes. They arise in middle age and also result from sun damage (age spots). They are most often found on the face and hands, and are larger and more defined than freckles…

The term alopecia means hair loss. In the form of alopecia known as alopecia areata, round bald patches appear suddenly, most often affecting the scalp. It is a form of autoimmune disease that causes hair loss in children, women, and men. . Alopecia areata can occur at any age…

Naevus of Ota consists of colored skin markings of slate-brown or blue/grey coloring. It combines unusual birthmarks in which the melanocytes (pigment cells) are found deeper than normal…

Viral warts are benign proliferations of the skin and mucosa caused by infection with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV); more than 150 subtypes of the DNA virus are known…

Skin tags are very common soft harmless lesions that appear to hang off the skin. They are skin colored or darker and range in size from 1mm to 5cm…

Twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin. They are most common in the legs and ankles. They usually aren’t serious, but they can sometimes lead to other problems…

The damaging effects of the sun are well established. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation contributes to ageing skin and is the main cause of skin cancer…

Skin cancers are named after the type of skin cell from which they arise. Basal cell cancer originates from the lowest layer of the epidermis, and is the most common skin cancer…

Pityriasis rosea is a common skin condition that causes a rash. This rash can look worrisome, but it is harmless. This rash can last anywhere from two to 20 weeks before disappearing…