Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. Although it’s common, accurate information about acne can be scarce. This can make it difficult to get clearer skin. The information on this site can help you understand acne and how to successfully treat it.

Why treat acne?

Myths about acne are as common as the skin problem. One common myth is that you have to let acne run its course.

Dermatologists know that letting acne runs its course is not always the best advice.

Here’s why:

• Without treatment, dark spots and permanent scars can appear on the skin as acne clears.
• Treating acne often boosts a person’s self-esteem.
• Many effective treatments are available.

More women getting acne

Not just teens have acne. A growing number of women have acne in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. Dermatologists are not sure why this is happening. But dermatologists understand that adult acne can be particularly frustrating.

BED BUGS: OVERVIEW

Bed bugs are tiny insects that feed on human blood. They hide in dark places close to where humans sleep and usually crawl out to feed while people are fast asleep.

If you have bed bugs in your home, it’s unlikely that you’ll see one unless you look for them. Bed bugs hide in the crevices of mattresses, box springs, headboards, couches, and other places. They only come out to feed.

While a bed bug is feeding on you, you’re unlikely to notice. Most people are asleep when they get bit. Also, before a bed bug draws your blood, it injects you with a substance that prevents you from feeling the bite. When you wake up, you may notice itchy welts.

To find bed bugs, you usually have to look carefully. An adult that is full of blood can be the size of an apple seed. Hungry bed bugs and younger ones are about the size of a poppy seed.

CONTACT DERMATITIS: OVERVIEW

Almost everyone gets this type of eczema at least once. We get contact dermatitis when something that our skin touches causes a rash. Some rashes happen immediately. Most take time to appear.

Allergic contact dermatitis

Some people have an allergic skin reaction. You have had this type of contact dermatitis if you had a rash caused by:

• Poison ivy
• Nickel
• Makeup you applied once or few times
• Jewelry you wore for a long time without a reaction, such as a wedding ring
• Jewelry you wore for only a few hours or days
• Latex gloves

Irritant contact dermatitis

This type is more common. It develops when something irritates the skin. With enough contact, most things will irritate our skin. A person diagnosed with any of the following has irritant contact dermatitis:

• Diaper rash
• Acid burn
• Dry, cracked hands due to lots of contact with water
• Irritated skin around the mouth due to lip licking

When a toxic substance touches our skin, the skin is quickly irritated. You’ve had irritant contact dermatitis if your skin reacted to a toxic substance like:

• Battery acid
• Bleach
• Pepper spray

You can also develop irritant contact dermatitis when you have lots of contact with less irritating substances like:

• Water
• Foods
• Soap

People often develop irritant contact dermatitis at work. Beauticians, nurses, bartenders, and others who spend lots of time with wet hands get this. It often starts with dry, cracked hands. In time, the skin on their hands may begin to sting and burn. The skin becomes very tender. Sometimes, the skin itches and bleeds.

When a rash does not clear within a few weeks, you should see a dermatologist.When contact dermatitis develops, treatment is important. It can prevent the contact dermatitis from worsening and help your skin heal.

DRY SKIN: OVERVIEW

Also called xerosis

Dry skin is common. It can occur at any age and for many reasons. Using a moisturizer often helps repair dry skin.

Sometimes people need a dermatologist’s help to get relief from dry skin. Extremely dry skin can be a warning sign of a skin problem called dermatitis (derm-muh-TIE-tis).

Dermatitis means inflammation of the skin. It can cause an itchy rash or patches of dry irritated skin. The earlier dermatitis is diagnosed and treated the better. Without treatment, dermatitis often gets worse.

Your doctor may call dry skin xerosis (ze-ROW-sis).

ICHTHYOSIS VULGARIS: OVERVIEW

Ichthyosis (ick-thee-OH-sis) is a group of skin diseases that causes extremely dry, thick, and scaly skin. The skin often looks like it has fish scales.

There are more than 20 different types of ichthyosis. The most common type is ichthyosis vulgaris (vul-GAR-ris). About 95% of people who develop ichthyosis get this type.

The other types are rare and include harlequin ichthyosis, lamellar type, and x-linked ichthyosis.

Of all the types, ichthyosis vulgaris is the mildest. It often begins in childhood.

Ichthyosis isn’t contagious, so you cannot catch it from someone.

Children usually develop it when they inherit a gene(s) for the disease from one or both parents. A parent doesn’t have to have the disease to pass on these genes. Because it is passed through the genes, this type is called inherited ichthyosis vulgaris.

Adults can also develop ichthyosis vulgaris, but this is rare. Adults get acquired ichthyosis vulgaris. It’s called “acquired” because you get it when a disease or medicine that you’re taking causes ichthyosis to develop. Diseases that can trigger this type of ichthyosis include kidney failure, some cancers, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Whether ichthyosis vulgaris begins in a child or adult, it can be so mild that is mistaken for extremely dry skin. Many people never realize they have ichthyosis because applying moisturizer keeps their skin free of scale.

When to see a dermatologist

If applying moisturizer twice a day fails to get rid of the scaly skin, you should see a dermatologist to find out if you have ichthyosis or another skin condition.

ATOPIC DERMATITIS: OVERVIEW

Also called: Eczema

This is a common skin disease in children. It is so common that people have given it a few names:

• Eczema (name most people use)
• Dermatitis
• Atopic (a-top-ic) eczema
• Atopic dermatitis

To avoid confusion, we’ll use the medical term atopic dermatitis.

Children often get atopic dermatitis (AD) during their first year of life. If a child gets AD during this time, dry and scaly patches appear on the skin. These patches often appear on the scalp, forehead, and face. These patches are very common on the cheeks.

No matter where it appears, AD is often very itchy. Infants may rub their skin against bedding or carpeting to relieve the itch.

In children of all ages, the itch can be so intense that a child cannot sleep. Scratching can lead to a skin infection.

Because atopic dermatitis can be long lasting, it is important to learn how to take care of the skin. Treatment and good skin care can alleviate much of the discomfort.

HAIR LOSS: OVERVIEW

Also called alopecia (al-o-PEE-shah)

Everyone loses hair. It is normal to lose about 50-100 hairs every day. If you see bald patches or lots of thinning, you may be experiencing hair loss.

There are many causes of hair loss. Women may notice hair loss after giving birth. People under a lot of stress can see noticeable hair loss. Some diseases and medical treatments can cause hair loss.

The most common cause of hair loss is a medical condition called hereditary hair loss. About 80 million men and women in the United States have this type of hair loss. Other names for this type of hair loss are:

• Male-pattern baldness.
• Female-pattern baldness.
• Androgenetic alopecia.

Luckily, most causes of hair loss can be stopped or treated. Anyone troubled by hair loss should see a dermatologist. These doctors specialize in treating our skin, hair, and nails.

HEAD LICE: OVERVIEW

Also called Pediculus humanus capitis

Having head lice does not mean you are dirty. Most people get head lice when they have head-to-head contact with someone who has head lice. Head-to-head contact lets the lice crawl from one head to another head. The lice do not care whether the person has squeaky-clean hair or dirty hair. The lice are looking for human blood, which they need to survive.

Millions of people get head lice each year. Head-lice infestations are especially common in schools. In the United States, it is believed that about 6 to 12 million children between 3 and 12 years of age get head lice each year.

Head lice are not known to spread disease, but having head lice can make your scalp extremely itchy. If you scratch a lot, it can cause sores on the scalp that may lead to an infection. Some people lose sleep because the itch is so intense.

Treatment, which most people can do at home, usually gets rid of head lice. If you have trouble getting rid of the lice or have an infection from scratching, you should see a dermatologist.

HERPES SIMPLEX: OVERVIEW

Herpes simplex is a common viral infection. If you’ve ever had a cold sore or fever blister, you picked up the herpes simplex virus. Most cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Other names for cold sores caused by HSV-1 are:

• Oral herpes.
• Mouth herpes.
• Herpes simplex labialis.

A closely related herpes simplex virus, HSV-2, causes most cases of genital herpes. But either HSV-1 or HSV-2 can cause a herpes sore on the face or genitals.

HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA: OVERVIEW

Also called acne inversa

What is hidradenitis suppurativa?

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a disease that usually begins as pimple-like bumps on the skin. The pimple-like bumps tend to develop in places that everyday pimples do not appear. HS is most common on the underarms and groin.

Some people say that their HS looks like one of these skin conditions:

• Pimples
• Deep-acne like cysts and blackheads
• Folliculitis (looks like swollen pimple with a hair in the center)
• Boils

Getting treatment for HS is important. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent HS from worsening.

If HS worsens, the pimple-like bumps can grow deep into the skin and become painful. They can rupture, leaking bloodstained pus onto clothing. This fluid often has a foul odor.

As the deep bumps heal, scars can form. Some people develop tunnel-like tracts under their skin. As the skin continues to heal and scar, the scars thicken. When thick scars form in the underarm, moving the arm can be difficult. Thick scars in the groin area can make walking difficult.

Because HS can look lot like acne, folliculitis, or boils, it is best to see a dermatologist for a diagnosis. To a dermatologist’s trained eye, the differences between HS and other skin diseases are subtle but obvious. Proper treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis.

CELLULITIS: OVERVIEW

Cellulitis on the lower leg: Cellulitis causes redness, which may cover the entire area of be blotchy, as shown here.

What is cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a common and potentially serious infection caused by bacteria. The bacteria infect the deep layers of skin and tissue beneath the skin.

The first sign of cellulitis is usually red and swollen skin. When you touch the infected area, it often feels warm and tender.

This infection can show up anywhere on the skin. Adults often get it in a lower leg. In children, cellulitis tends to appear on the face or neck.

While cellulitis often develops in a leg, redness and swelling in both legs usually means you have another condition. You could have stasis dermatitis or contact dermatitis.

If you think you have cellulitis, you should get immediate medical care. Caught early and treated, cellulitis usually clears completely without causing any long-term problems.

Without treatment, the infection can spread quickly. The bacteria may travel to lymph nodes and into the bloodstream. This can lead to a blood infection or permanently damage lymph vessels, which are part of your immune system. Other complications can also develop.

When treated before complications occur, most people recover fully. Caught early, your doctor can treat it with oral (take by mouth) antibiotics and good wound care.

After starting treatment for cellulitis, you should notice improvement in 24 to 48 hours. If you don’t, call your doctor’s office. Severe cellulitis may require you to be treated in a hospital.

HIVES: OVERVIEW

Also called urticaria 

Hives are welts on the skin that often itch. These welts can appear on any part of the skin. Hives vary in size from as small as a pen tip to as large as a dinner plate. They may connect to form even larger welts.

A hive often goes away in 24 hours or less. New hives may appear as old ones fade, so hives may last for a few days or longer. A bout of hives usually lasts less than 6 weeks. These hives are called acute hives. If hives last more than 6 weeks, they are called chronic hives.

Acute hives often result from an allergy, but they can have many other causes.

The medical term for hives is urticaria (ur-tih-CARE-ee-uh). When large welts occur deeper under the skin, the medical term is angioedema (an-gee-oh-eh-dee-ma). This can occur with hives, and often causes the eyelids and lips to swell.

If this occurs, the person needs emergency care right away.

HYPERHIDROSIS: OVERVIEW

(Excessive sweating)

What is hyperhidrosis (hi-purr-hi-DROE-sis)?

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

This excessive sweating can interfere with everyday activities. Hands can be so sweaty that it becomes difficult to turn a doorknob or use a computer. Sweat from the underarms often soaks through clothes, causing obvious sweat marks. Because the skin is often wet, skin infections can develop.

KELOIDS: OVERVIEW

What is a keloid?

A keloid (key-loid) is a type of raised scar. Unlike other raised scars, keloids grow much larger than the wound that caused the scar.

Not everyone who gets a scar will develop a keloid. If you have keloid-prone skin, however, anything that can cause a scar may lead to a keloid. This includes a cut, burn, or severe acne. Some people see a keloid after they pierce their ears or get a tattoo. A keloid can also form as chickenpox clear. Sometimes, a surgical scar becomes a keloid.

In very rare cases, keloids form when people do not injure their skin. These are called “spontaneous keloids.”

A keloid usually takes time to appear. After an injury, months can pass before this scar appears. A keloid can also form more quickly.

Once it begins, a keloid can enlarge slowly for months or years.

Keloids do not turn into cancer.

The size and shape of keloids vary. On an earlobe, you’ll likely see a round, solid mass. When a keloid forms on a shoulder or the chest, the raised scar tends to spread out across the skin. It often looks like a liquid spilled on the skin and then hardened.

As these raised scars grow, they may feel painful or itchy. A keloid that covers a joint or large area can decrease a person’s ability to move that part of the body.

Treatment can help reduce symptoms like pain and itch. If the scar makes moving difficult, treatment can help a person regain some movement.

Treating a keloid, however, can be involved. To reduce the chance of another keloid forming after treatment, more than one type of treatment may be necessary.

No one treatment is best for all keloids. To give their patients the best results, dermatologists choose treatment based on the patient’s age, type of keloid, and other considerations. For example, one patient with a keloid on an earlobe may get better results if the scar is surgically removed in layers (called shaving) than surgically cut out.

KERATOSIS PILARIS: OVERVIEW

What is keratosis pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition, which appears as tiny bumps on the skin. Some people say these bumps look like goosebumps or the skin of a plucked chicken. Others mistake the bumps for small pimples.

These rough-feeling bumps are actually plugs of dead skin cells. The plugs appear most often on the upper arms and thighs (front). Children may have these bumps on their cheeks.

Keratosis pilaris is harmless. If the itch, dryness, or the appearance of these bumps bothers you, treatment can help. Treatment can ease the symptoms and help you see clearer skin.

Treating dry skin often helps. Dry skin can make these bumps more noticeable. In fact, many people say the bumps clear during the summer only to return in the winter. If you decide not to treat these bumps and live in a dry climate or frequently swim in a pool, you may see these bumps year round.

MOLES: OVERVIEW

Also called nevi

Moles are common. Almost every adult has a few of them. Adults who have light skin often have more moles. They may have 10 to 40 moles on their skin. This is normal.

Most moles appear on the skin during childhood and adolescence. Moles will grow as the child (or teen) grows. Some moles will darken, and others will lighten. These changes are expected and seldom a sign of melanoma, the most-serious skin cancer.

For adults, new moles and changes to existing moles can be a sign of melanoma. Caught early, melanoma is highly treatable.

Here are 3 facts that can help you find melanoma early and get treatment:

• A change to a mole or a new mole is often the first sign of melanoma.
• You can find melanoma early by checking your own skin.
• If you see a mole or other spot that’s growing, itching, bleeding, or changing in any way, immediately make an appointment to see a dermatologist.

PEMPHIGUS: OVERVIEW

What is pemphigus?

Pemphigus (pem(p)-fi-gəs) is a group of rare diseases that causes blisters. There are many different types of pemphigus, including:

• Pemphigus vulgaris (vul-gar-is)
• Pemphigus foliaceus (foe-lay-s(h)e-əs)
• Drug-induced pemphigus
• Fogo selvagem (foe-go sell-va-gem)
• Paraneoplastic pemphigus

Regardless of type, the blisters are soft, limp, and break open easily.

Most people get blisters on their skin. With some types of pemphigus, blisters form inside the mouth. A few types cause blisters on moist tissues like those that line the inside of the nose and eyes, throat, anus, or genitals.

Anywhere the blisters form, they tend to break open quickly, leaving painful sores. In the throat, the sores can cause hoarseness. Mouth sores can make eating, drinking, and talking difficult.

When sores develop, they tend to heal slowly. Some may never heal.

Pemphigus can develop in otherwise healthy people.

The important thing to remember is that today pemphigus in nearly always controllable. By keeping your dermatology appointments, you can partner with your dermatologist to make that a reality.

PITYRIASIS ROSEA: OVERVIEW

Pityriasis rosea: This common skin disease causes patches on the skin. Your dermatologist may call the large patch a mother patch. The smaller patches are daughter patches.

Pityriasis rosea (pit-uh-rahy-uh-sis row-zee-ah) is a common skin disease that causes a rash. This rash usually disappears on its own without treatment. You can expect to see the rash for about 6 to 8 weeks. Sometimes the rash lasts much longer.

Some people who develop this rash see a dermatologist to get treatment for the itch.

If this rash appears during pregnancy, a woman should tell her doctor.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis (suh-rye-ah-sis) is a condition that causes the body to make new skin cells in days rather than weeks. As these cells pile up on the surface of the skin, you may see thick, scaly patches.

Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis

 

Those thick, scaly patches that develop on the skin are called plaques (placks). About 80% to 90% of people living with psoriasis get plaques, so they have plaque (plack) psoriasis¹.

Plaques can appear anywhere on the skin, but you’re most likely to find them on the:

• Knees
• Elbows
• Lower back
• Scalp

Plaques tend to vary in size. They may appear on the skin as a single patch or join together to cover a large area of skin.

No matter the size, plaques tend to be itchy. Without treatment, the itch can become intense. Some people notice that their skin stings, burns, or feels painful and tight.

Psoriasis is often a life-long disease

Most people who get psoriasis have it for life. That’s true no matter what type of psoriasis you have, with one exception. Some children who have guttate (gut-tate) psoriasis see their psoriasis go away.

Because psoriasis tends to be a life-long disease, it helps to learn about it and see a board-certified dermatologist. A bit of knowledge and help from a board-certified dermatologist can give you some control over the psoriasis. By gaining control, you can see clearer (or clear) skin. Gaining control can also help you to feel better, improve your overall health, and prevent the psoriasis from worsening.

Gaining control often involves:

• Learning (and avoiding) what triggers your psoriasis
• Sticking to a good psoriasis skin care routine
• Living a healthy lifestyle
• Using medication when necessary

Seeing a board-certified dermatologist has another benefit. Psoriasis can increase your risk of developing certain diseases, such as psoriatic arthritis or diabetes. Your dermatologist can watch for early signs of disease. If you do develop another disease, early treatment helps to prevent the disease from worsening.

When you see a board-certified dermatologist about psoriasis, your dermatologist may talk about the type(s) of psoriasis you have. It’s possible to have more than one type. You can learn about the different types and see pictures of what each type looks like by going to:

SCABIES: OVERVIEW

A mite causes this common skin condition. Called the human itch mite, this eight-legged bug is so small that you cannot see it on the skin. People get scabies when the mite burrows into the top layer of skin to live and feed. When the skin reacts to the mite, an extremely itchy rash develops.

This mite can travel from the infected person to another person. Most people get scabies from direct, skin-to-skin contact. Less often, people pick up mites from infested items such as bedding, clothes, and furniture. The mite can survive for about 3 to 4 days without being on a human. Worldwide, there are millions of cases of scabies each year.

Anyone can get scabies. It strikes people of all ages, races, and income levels. People who are very clean and neat can get scabies. It tends to spread easily in nursing homes and extended-care facilities. The good news is that a dermatologist can successfully diagnose and treat scabies. With today’s treatments, scabies need only cause short-term distress.

ROSACEA: OVERVIEW

Rosacea (rose-AY-sha) is a common skin disease. It often begins with a tendency to blush or flush more easily than other people.

The redness can slowly spread beyond the nose and cheeks to the forehead and chin. Even the ears, chest, and back can be red all the time.

Rosacea can cause more than redness. There are so many signs and symptoms that rosacea has four subtypes:

1. Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: Redness, flushing, visible blood vessels.
2. Papulopustular rosacea: Redness, swelling, and acne-like breakouts.
3. Phymatous rosacea: Skin thickens and has a bumpy texture.
4. Ocular rosacea: Eyes red and irritated, eyelids can be swollen, and person may have what looks like a sty.

With time, people who have rosacea often see permanent redness in the center of their face.

Famous faces of rosacea

If you are living with rosacea, you are in good company. Some famous people have struggled with rosacea:

• Bill Clinton
• Diana, Princess of Wales
• W.C. Fields (a film star in the 1920s and 1930s)

VITILIGO: OVERVIEW

What is vitiligo?
Vitiligo (vit-uh-lie-go) causes the skin to lose its natural color. Patches of lighter skin appear. Some people develop a few patches. Others lose much more skin color.

Vitiligo can also affect other parts of your body. A section of hair can turn white. Some people lose color inside their mouths. Even an eye can lose some of its color.

What causes this color loss is still a mystery. We do know that vitiligo is not contagious. It is not life-threatening.

But vitiligo can be life-altering. Some people develop low self-esteem. They may no longer want to hang out with friends. They can develop serious depression. Most people have vitiligo for life, so it’s important to develop coping strategies.

A coping strategy that helps many people is to learn about vitiligo. Another helpful strategy is to connect with others who have vitiligo.

SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS: OVERVIEW

This is a very common skin disease that causes a rash. When this rash appears, it often looks like the one pictured above. The skin tends to have a:

• Reddish color
• Swollen and greasy appearance
• White or yellowish crusty scale on the surface

One or more of these rashes can appear on the body. Sometimes, the affected skin itches.

Cradle cap: A type of seborrheic dermatitis

Many infants get cradle cap. This is a type of seborrheic dermatitis (seb-uh–ree-ick dur-muh–tahy-tis) that develops in babies. Scaly, greasy patches form on the baby’s scalp. The patches can become thick and crusty, but cradle cap is harmless. Cradle cap usually goes away on its own within a few months.

Babies also get seborrheic dermatitis in their diaper area and elsewhere. In the diaper area, the red rash often is mistaken for diaper rash. A few babies get seborrheic dermatitis that covers much of the body with red, scaly patches.

No matter where the seborrheic dermatitis forms, it tends to permanently disappear between 6 months and 1 year of age.

Seborrheic dermatitis is long-lasting in adults

When an adult gets seborrheic dermatitis, the condition can come and go for the rest of the person’s life. Flare-ups are common when the weather turns cold and dry. Stress also can trigger a flare-up. The good news is that treatment can reduce flare-ups and bring relief.

MELASMA: OVERVIEW

What is melasma?

Melasma (muh-LAZ-muh) is a common skin problem. It causes brown to gray-brown patches, usually on the face. Most people get it on their cheeks, bridge of their nose, forehead, chin, and above their upper lip. It also can appear on other parts of the body that get lots of sun, such as the forearms and neck.

One of the most common treatments for melasma is sun protection. This means wearing sunscreen every day and reapplying the sunscreen every 2 hours. Dermatologists also recommend wearing a wide-brimmed hat when you are outside. Sunscreen alone may not give you the protection you need.

Women are far more likely than men to get melasma. It is so common during pregnancy that melasma is sometimes called “the mask of pregnancy.” Hormones seem to trigger melasma.

LUPUS AND YOUR SKIN: OVERVIEW

Lupus is a disease that can affect the skin in many ways. It may cause a:

• Widespread rash on the back
• Thick scaly patch on the face
• Sore(s) in the mouth or nose
• Flare-up that looks like sunburn

Lupus can show up on the skin in other ways, too.

When lupus affects the skin, it is called cutaneous (medical term for skin) lupus. There are different types of cutaneous (cue-tane-e-ous) lupus. For many people who have cutaneous lupus, the lupus affects only their skin.

Some types of cutaneous lupus are more common in people who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is a type of lupus that can affect different parts of the body, including the skin, joints, and lungs.

How a dermatologist can help

A dermatologist can tell you whether you have lupus or another skin condition. What looks like a lupus rash on your face could be another skin condition like rosacea or an allergic skin reaction.

If you have cutaneous lupus, a dermatologist can:

• Develop a sun-protection plan that’s right for you
• Create a treatment plan for your skin
• Recommend skin care products that are less likely to irritate skin with lupus
• Teach you how to camouflage lupus on your skin with makeup
• Help determine whether lupus affects other parts of your body
• Check your skin for signs of skin cancer

Lupus and skin cancer

Lupus can increase a person’s risk of developing skin cancer. If you take a medicine that works on your immune system, you may have a higher risk of getting skin cancer.

People who have a type of lupus called discoid lupus may also have a greater risk. When discoid lupus develops on the lip or inside the mouth, it increases a person’s risk for a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

SEBORRHEIC KERATOSES: OVERVIEW

Seborrheic keratosis (seb-o-REE-ik care-uh-TOE-sis) is a common skin growth. It may seem worrisome because it can look like a wart, pre-cancerous skin growth (actinic keratosis), or skin cancer. Despite their appearance, seborrheic keratoses are harmless.

Most people get these growths when they are middle aged or older. Because they begin at a later age and can have a wart-like appearance, seborrheic keratoses are often called the “barnacles of aging.”

It’s possible to have just one of these growths, but most people develop several. Some growths may have a warty surface while others look like dabs of warm, brown candle wax on the skin.

Seborrheic keratoses range in color from white to black; however, most are tan or brown.

You can find these harmless growths anywhere on the skin, except the palms and soles. Most often, you’ll see them on the chest, back, head, or neck.

Seborrheic keratoses are not contagious.

SHINGLES: OVERVIEW

Also called herpes zoster

Will insurance cover the cost of the new shingles vaccine?

In October 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new vaccine that can prevent shingles. This is the second vaccine that the FDA has approved to prevent shingles. Insurance currently covers the cost of getting the shingles vaccine that the FDA approved some years ago.

Who pays for the cost of this new vaccine, however, is causing confusion. Here’s what you should know.

While this new vaccine is available, it takes time for insurance companies to cover the cost. It’s expected that insurance will cover the cost of getting this new vaccine, which requires 2 shots, in 2018.

What exactly is shingles?

Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles. After the chickenpox clears, the virus stays inside the body. If the virus reactivates (wakes up), the result is shingles — a painful, blistering rash.

The risk of getting shingles increases with age. A vaccine can reduce your risk of getting shingles. Your doctor may recommend getting this vaccine after your 50th birthday or once you reach 60 years of age. There’s another — and maybe even more important — reason for getting the shingles vaccine. If you’ve had chickenpox, you can still get shingles after getting shingles vaccine. The vaccine also lessens your risk of developing serious complications from shingles, such as life-disrupting nerve pain.

The nerve pain can last long after the shingles rash goes away. Some people have this nerve pain, called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), for many years. The pain can be so bad that it interferes with your everyday life. The shingles vaccine reduces your risk of developing this nerve pain, even more than it reduces your risk of getting shingles.

An anti-viral medicine may also prevent long-lasting nerve pain if your get shingles. It’s most effective when started within 3 days of seeing the rash. The anti-viral medicine can also make shingles symptoms milder and shorter.

POISON IVY, OAK AND SUMAC: OVERVIEW

Many people get a rash from poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. This rash is caused by an oil found in the plants. This oil is called urushiol (you-ROO-shee-all).

The itchy, blistering rash often does not start until 12 to 72 hours after you come into contact with the oil.

The rash is not contagious and does not spread. It might seem to spread, but this is a delayed reaction.

Most people see the rash go away in a few weeks.  If you have a serious reaction, you need to see a doctor right away. Swelling is a sign of a serious reaction — especially swelling that makes an eye swell shut or your face to swell.

If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to an emergency room immediately.

TINEA VERSICOLOR: OVERVIEW

Also called pityriasis versicolor

We all have yeast living on our skin. When they grow out of control, a person can get a skin disease called tinea versicolor.

Your dermatologist may tell you that you have a fungal infection on your skin. Yeast is a type of fungus.

Many people get tinea versicolor. It is one of the most common skin diseases in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. People who live in tropical areas may have tinea versicolor year-round.

WARTS: OVERVIEW

Warts are benign (not cancerous) skin growths that appear when a virus infects the top layer of the skin. Viruses that cause warts are called human papillomavirus (HPV). You are more likely to get one of these viruses if you cut or damage your skin in some way.

Wart viruses are contagious. Warts can spread by contact with the wart or something that touched the wart.

Warts are often skin-colored and feel rough, but they can be dark (brown or gray-black), flat, and smooth.

ACTINIC KERATOSIS: OVERVIEW

Also called solar keratosis

An AK forms when the skin is badly damaged by ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or indoor tanning. Most people get more than one AK. When you have more than one AK, you have actinic keratoses, or AKs.

Anyone who has many AKs should be under a dermatologist’s care. Most people who have many AKs continue to get new AKs for life. AKs are considered precancerous. Left untreated, AKs may turn into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

By seeing a dermatologist for checkups, the AKs can be treated before they become skin cancer. If skin cancer does develop, it can be caught early when treatment often cures skin cancer.

BASAL CELL CARCINOMA: OVERVIEW

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. It’s also the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. Every year, millions of people learn that they have BCC.

This skin cancer usually develops on skin that gets sun exposure, such as on the head, neck, or back of the hands. BCC is especially common on the face, often forming on the nose. While BCC often develops on skin that has had the most sun, BCC can appear on any part of the body, including the trunk, legs, and arms.

People who use tanning beds also get BCC, and they also tend to get it earlier in life.

This type of skin cancer grows slowly. It rarely spreads to other parts of the body. Treatment is important because BCC can grow wide and deep, destroying skin, tissue, and bone.

SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA: OVERVIEW

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common skin cancer in humans. About 700,000 new cases of this skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year.

This skin cancer tends to develop on skin that has been exposed to the sun for years. It is most frequently seen on sun-exposed areas, such as the head, neck, and back of the hands. Women frequently get SCC on their lower legs.

It is possible to get SCC on any part of the body, including the inside of the mouth, lips, and genitals.

People who use tanning beds have a much higher risk of getting SCC. They also tend to get SCC earlier in life.

SCC can spread to other parts of the body. With early diagnosis and treatment, SCC is highly curable.

ATYPICAL MOLES are unusual-looking benign (noncancerous) moles, also known as dysplastic nevi (the plural of “nevus,” or mole). Atypical moles may resemble melanoma, and people who have them are at increased risk of developing melanoma in a mole or elsewhere on the body. The higher the number of these moles someone has, the higher the risk. Those who have 10 or more have 12 times the risk of developing melanoma compared with the general population.

Heredity appears to play a part in the formation of atypical moles. They tend to run in families, especially in Caucasians; about 2 to 8 percent of Caucasians have these moles. Those who have atypical moles plus a family history of melanoma (two or more close blood relatives with the disease) have a very high risk of developing melanoma. People who have atypical moles, but no family history of melanoma, are also at higher risk of developing melanoma compared with the general population. So are those with 50 or more normal moles. All of these high-risk individuals should practice rigorous daily sun protection, perform a monthly skin self-examination head to toe and seek regular professional skin exams.

Some people have so many normal and atypical moles that they are classified as having atypical mole syndrome. People with “classic” atypical mole syndrome have the following three characteristics:

• 100 or more moles
• One or more moles 1/3 inch (8 mm) or larger in diameter
• One or more moles that are atypical.

At even higher risk of developing melanoma are those with familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome (FAMMM). These people not only have atypical mole syndrome, but also one or more first- or second-degree relatives with melanoma. While atypical moles often arise in childhood, they can appear at any time of life in people with FAMMM

MELANOMA: OVERVIEW

 

Also called malignant melanoma

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer.  Allowed to grow, melanoma can spread quickly to other parts of the body. This can be deadly.

There is good news. When found early, melanoma is highly treatable.

You can find melanoma early by following this 3-step process:

1. Learn the warning signs of melanoma.
2. Look for the warning signs while examining your skin.
3. See a dermatologist if you find any of the warning signs.

It only takes a few minutes to learn the warning signs. You’ll find everything you need to start examining your skin today on the Body Mole Map.