Common Conditions

This condition causes your skin to be irritated. People with asthma or allergies also often have this condition.

Poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac are plants that can cause skin rashes. Here's what you need to know about recognizing these plants, how they cause a reaction, and preventive steps you can take to protect yourself.

Alopecia areata is a condition that causes your hair to fall out. It causes bald patches on the scalp, but it can also cause hair loss on other parts of the body.

A carbuncle is a painful boil under the skin. It happens when a group of hair follicles become infected.

Contact dermatitis is a common type of skin rash. It's caused by something that touches the skin and makes it irritated and inflamed.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common type of rash that causes red, scaly, greasy skin. It occurs on skin that has oil glands, such as the face, scalp, and upper chest.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a long-term (chronic) skin disease. It causes painful bumps and sores to form around a hair follicle.

Lichen planus is a chronic skin disease. It's a rash that can develop anywhere on the body. But it most often occurs on the wrists, arms, legs, scalp, and genitals.

Acne is an inflammatory condition of the skin. During the teen years, there is an increase in production of skin oils on the face, neck, chest, upper back, and upper arms. These oils can block hair follicles and allow an overgrowth of normal bacteria. This results in acne. Read on to learn more.

Angioedema is a sudden appearance of swollen patches on the skin or mucous membranes. There are several different kinds of angioedema, with many possible causes. Read on to learn more, and to learn how to care for yourself at home.

Atopic dermatitis is a dry, itchy red rash. It's also known as eczema. Learn about how to care for this condition.

Contact dermatitis is a skin rash caused by something that touches the skin and makes it irritated and inflamed. Learn more about this condition, and how to care for yourself when you're at home.

Warts are caused by a skin virus. They often appear on the hands or feet. Here are some ways to treat warts at home.

Learn about home care after a mosquito bite, and how to prevent these bites.

Road rash is a common term for multiple skin scrapes (abrasions) that occur during a bicycle or motorcycle accident, or even any fall when you slide across a rough surface. Treatment depends on how large and deep the abrasion is. Because of the strong forces involved in your accident, it's important that you watch for any new symptoms that might be a sign of hidden injury.

You've been bitten by a tick, but have no serious reaction or symptoms of Lyme disease. Read on to learn how to care for yourself at home. This includes watching out for any symptoms of Lyme disease or serious reactions, which could occur weeks or months after the bite.

An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around an infection. Pus is a fluid made up of germs (bacteria), white blood cells, and other matter. Draining pus from an infected area or organ inside the body may be needed. This helps heal the infection.

Learn how to care for yourself at home when you have skin anthrax.

Skin anthrax occurs after the spores come in contact with an opening in the skin. Not everyone exposed will get sick.

Candida is a type of yeast that grows naturally on the skin and in the mouth. If it grows out of control, it can cause an infection. Here's how to care for yourself at home if you have this infection.

Cellulitis is an infection of the deep layers of skin. A break in the skin, such as a cut or scratch, can let bacteria under the skin. If the bacteria get to deep layers of the skin, it can be serious. If not treated, cellulitis can get into the bloodstream and lymph nodes. The infection can then spread throughout the body. This causes serious illness.

Cellulitis is an infection of the deep layers of skin. A break in the skin, such as a cut or scratch, can let bacteria under the skin. It may also occur from an infected oil gland (pimple) or hair follicle. Learn how to care for this infection.

Learn how to care for yourself at home after you've been diagnosed with folliculitis.

A fungal infection is when too much fungus grows on or in the body. Fungal skin infections are common and not often serious. here's how to are for yourself at home.d

Athlete's foot is caused by a fungal infection in the skin. It affects the skin between the toes, causing fissures (cracks in the skin). It can also affect the bottom of the foot where it causes dry white scales and peeling of the skin. Learn about caring for this condition.

Learn how to care for yourself at home after you've been diagnosed with jock itch.

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. Learn how to care for this condition at home.

Impetigo is a common bacterial skin infection that can appear on many parts of the body. It can happen to anyone, of any age, but is more common in children. Read on to learn how to care for this infection.

Mononucleosis (also called mono) is a contagious viral infection. It's usually spread by contact with saliva, often by kissing.

Normal staph bacteria are often present on the skin without causing problems, but can cause an infection if they get under it. MRSA bacteria are more aggressive than common staph bacteria, and are resistant to common antibiotics.

A nail fungal infection changes the way fingernails and toenails look. They may thicken, discolor, change shape, or split. This condition is hard to treat because nails grow slowly and have limited blood supply. Here's how to care for this condition at home.

A pierced ear can get swollen and sore. This is often due to an infection. Here are typical causes for infection, and ways to care for your ears at home.

Scabies is a skin infection. It is caused by a tiny parasitic insect, or mite, that is too small to see directly. Read on to learn how to care for scabies when you are at home.

Jock itch is a red, itchy rash in the groin caused by a fungal infection. Here's what you need to know to take care of this at home.

This is a rash caused by a fungus in the top layers of the skin. Health experts don't know why some people get this rash and others don't. Here's how to care for the rash at home.

Chickenpox is a very contagious illness caused by a virus. Symptoms include fever and an itchy red rash of small blisters that form all over the body. Blisters may appear on the scalp, face, and in the mouth. Women may also get blisters in the vaginal area. New blisters will appear over the first several days. The contagious period ends when all blisters have crusted over. This is usually about 1 week after the illness begins.

A rash is an irritation of the skin that may cause redness, pimples, bumps, or cysts. A viral infection is one of the most common causes of rashes. Learn how to care for a viral rash at home.

Watch this to learn how one person has lived with psoriasis all her life.

Watch this to hear how one man has lived with psoriatic arthritis.

A first-degree burn causes only redness, like a sunburn. It heals in a few days. A second-degree burn is deeper and causes a blister to form. This may take up to 2 weeks to heal.

Your skin has been burned by a chemical. Read on to learn how to care for your burn.

The effects of chemicals on the skin range from mild irritation and redness to a severe burn. The seriousness of the injury depends on the type of chemical, how concentrated it is, and how long the skin is exposed.

A sunburn is an injury to the skin. It is caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. Here are some helpful guidelines on sunburn care and prevention.

A second-degree burn usually causes a blister to form. The blister may remain intact and gradually go away on its own. Or it may break open. The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and stop infection while the burn heals.

Learn how to care for yourself at home after a first-degree burn.

A blister is a raised area of skin with clear, watery fluid inside. A blister can occur when the skin is damaged. Blisters can hurt when they are pressed, or if they break open.

A pressure injury starts as a red, tender area on skin (pressure sore). It's caused by lying or sitting on a bony area for long periods of time without turning. This reduces the amount of blood flow to that part of the skin.

This sheet can help you take care of yourself when you have dermatomyositis.

Erythema multiforme is a skin rash. It's cause by a hypersensitive reaction. The reaction can be caused by many things. These include a virus, bacteria, fungus, medicine, vaccine, or food. Illnesses such as pneumonia and herpes can also cause it.

Erythema means a reddening of the skin. If the condition is just in one area of your body, it can mean that you have inflammation, irritation, or infection of the skin. Erythema over a joint can be a sign of joint infection. When erythema is spread over most of your body, like a rash, it is usually a sign of a more general problem. This could be an allergic reaction, viral or bacterial infection, or an immune system disease.

A hematoma is a collection of blood trapped outside of a blood vessel. It is what we think of as a bruise or a contusion. Learn how to care for a hematoma as it heals.

Hives are pink or red bumps on the skin. The bumps can itch, burn, or sting. Hives can occur anywhere on the body. Read on to learn how to care for yourself when you have hives.

Head lice are tiny insects that infect the scalp. They make your scalp feel very itchy. Lice lay eggs that are called nits. They look like tiny white specs stuck to your hair. Read on to learn how to get rid of head lice.

Lice or crabs are tiny insects that are about the size of a pinhead. Pubic lice infect the groin area. They cause bite marks and itching, especially at night. Here's how to treat pubic lice, and your symptoms, at home.

Learn about lipomas and the signs to look for so you'll know when to call your health care provider.

A detached nail is when the nail becomes separated from the area underneath it (the nail bed). This often means losing all or part of the nail. Here's how to care for yourself at home.

Plant and sun dermatitis (phytophotodermatitis) is an inflammatory reaction of the skin. It occurs after contact with the leaves and stems of certain plants, followed by sun exposure. It starts with a burning feeling followed by a red rash, and sometimes blisters. Learn how to care for yourself at home with this condition.

A pilonidal cyst is a swelling that starts under the skin on the sacrum near the tailbone. It may look like a small dimple. Because it often has an opening to the surface, it may become infected with normal skin bacteria.

This is a harmless rash that is not contagious. The exact cause is unknown. It is not an allergic reaction, and does not seem to be caused by a viral or fungal infection. Here's how to care for this rash at home.

The rash and itching that you have is a delayed reaction to the oils of the poison oak plant. Your skin will become red and itchy, and small blisters may appear. Read on to learn how to care for yourself at home.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease of the skin. It may cause patches of thick, red skin covered with silvery scales. These often appear on the elbows, knees, legs, lower back, and scalp. They itch and can be painful. There's no cure for psoriasis. But treatment can offer relief. Here's what you need to know.

A puncture wound occurs when a pointed object pushes into the skin. It may go into the tissues below the skin, including fat and muscle.

Pyogenic granuloma is an overgrowth of skin in response to an injury, or hormones, or certain drugs. Here's what you need to know about caring for yourself at home.

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition affecting the face. In the early stages it causes easy flushing or blushing. Redness may become permanent as the small blood vessels of the face dilate. There may be small, red, pus-filled bumps.

An epidermoid cyst is a small, painless lump under your skin. It is not cancer. Sometimes the cyst can get infected. Your cyst became infected and your healthcare provider wanted to treat it with antibiotics.

A skin avulsion is a tearing of the top layer of skin. This commonly happens after a fall or other injury. Learn how to care for yourself at home.

A splinter has been removed from under your skin. Learn how to care for the wound home, and what possible signs of infection to watch out for.

Your body is constantly growing new cells to replace older ones. A tumor occurs when cells of the body begin to grow abnormally.

Ringworm is caused by a fungus, not a worm. It's passed from animals or people infected with the fungus. Here's what you need to know about caring for yourself at home.

Learn how to care for yourself at home as you recover from frostbite or frostnip.