Medical Skin Problems

Medical skin problems can be serious and life-threatening. Understanding medical skin problems is extremely helpful in diagnosing them early. This section covers everything to do with medical skin problems.

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Rosacea Overview

It looks like acne or eczema but isn't, and it can result in a red nose that people associate with alcoholism. It's rosacea, a common skin condition most people don't know anything about.

By John Barrymore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Scabies Overview

It's a scene straight out of a cheap horror movie: microscopic creatures crawling on your skin, eating your flesh and laying their eggs inside you. But it's not fake, it's real and it's called scabies.

By John Barrymore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Scalded Skin Syndrome

Although it's rare, infants and young children can require burn treatments without ever being burned -- these children have a rare disease called scalded skin syndrome that's caused by the staph bacteria that normally live on skin.

By Elizabeth Whitmore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Seborrheic Dermatitis

If you have dandruff, you may have a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis, a skin condition that causes flaky, scaly skin and even hair loss. Find out what causes the disease and how you can treat it.

By John Barrymore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Skin Cancer Overview

If you're a sun bunny, you'd better consider slathering on some sunscreen and heading for a big umbrella instead -- and don't even think about going to the tanning bed. Skin cancer is a lot more common than most people know.

By Sarah Siddons Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Skin Discoloration Basics

From harmless age spots and birthmarks to dangerous cancerous growths, several factors can cause skin discoloration. How do you tell what it is and whether to see a doctor?

By John Barrymore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

How Skin Moles Work

If you have any prominent moles, you've probably put up with a lot of unsolicited questions and comments about whether you've been to a dermatologist. Where do moles come from, anyway?

By Sarah Siddons Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Skin Tags

Skin tags might be embarrassing or even scary when they appear out of the blue on your body. But are these tiny outgrowths of skin truly as ominous as they may seem?

By John Barrymore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Solar Urticaria Overview

Solar urticaria is a rare allergic reaction that causes people to break out in hives after exposure to the sun. What causes it, and how can it be treated?

By Sarah Siddons Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Statis Dermatitis Overview

If you're over 50 and have high blood pressure or poor circulation, you're at risk of developing stasis dermatitis, a disorder that causes swollen legs and ulcers. But how can you avoid it?

By Sarah Siddons Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Sun Spots

What we know as "age spots" or "liver spots" are actually a result of sun exposure, and they're quite common. But once you have a sun spot, are you stuck with it for good?

By John Barrymore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Vitiligo Overview

Vitiligo, the skin lightening disorder that affected Michael Jackson, has no known cure. Can new treatments help those who have the condition to live normal lives?

By John Barrymore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Windburn Overview

You may think that your skin is safe from the elements once swimsuit season ends and the air gets cold. That's not true. Most people know that the winter sun can still harm skin, but the wind can be just as dangerous.

By John Barrymore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Xanthomas Overview

This exotic sounding affliction is actually pretty common and tame. Xanthomas are bumps that form when fat collects in pockets under the skin, and usually occurs in those over the age of 40.

By Sarah Siddons Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Is It Possible to Be Allergic to the Sun?

Is it possible to be allergic to the sun? What can be done about this allergy?

By John Barrymore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Are chicken pox and shingles the same thing?

It's common knowledge that once you've had chickenpox, you probably won't get the disease again. But can you get shingles?

By John Barrymore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Are new moles always a sign of cancer?

A new mole doesn't necessarily mean you have cancer -- people often develop new moles early in life. Of course, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't keep an eye out for them.

By John Barrymore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Athletes Foot Overview

The same types of fungi that cause ringworm and jock itch can also lead to athlete's foot. What steps can you take to avoid getting this uncomfortable -- but treatable -- skin condition?

By John Barrymore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Bacterial Skin Infections

When bacteria enter your body through a break in your skin, it can create one of several types of infections. How do you know you're infected and whether it's serious enough to see a doctor?

By John Barrymore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Bedsores: Causes and Treatments

While bed rest may sound like a relaxing reprieve from the chaos of daily life, prolonged bed rest can cause bedsores, painful skin ulcers that could be fatal.

By John Barrymore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Cold Sores: Causes and Treatments

You're stressed out about a speech you have to give at work and you start to feel a prickling and burning in your lip. Soon, a hard bump starts to form. But you know this isn't a zit; you're getting a cold sore.

By Sarah Siddons Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Common Warts Overview

Common warts aren't dangerous. They'll go away if they're left untreated, but this can take anywhere from months to years. However, they're an eyesore and a nuisance, so you may want to get rid of them -- stat.

By Sarah Siddons Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Contact Dermatitis

Ugh -- you have an inflamed, itchy, red rash that burns. It could be contact dermatitis caused. But what's caused it and how can you make it go away?

By Sarah Siddons Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Eczema Basics

You haven't been near poison ivy in weeks, you aren't allergic to latex and you don't have allergies that give you hives -- at least, you don't think you do. So what's that red patch of itchy dry skin? It could be a type of eczema.

By John Barrymore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Overview

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes the skin to be overly stretchy or joints to overextend. What causes this syndrome and how can you tell whether you have it?

By John Barrymore Skin Problems / Medical Skin Problems