Skin, Hair, and Nail Conditions

By Heather Brannon, MD, About.com Guide to Skin & Beauty

A bump, a rash, a dry patch -- skin, as well as hair and nail conditions, can be perplexing. Some can be harmless (though nevertheless annoying), yet others can be warning signs of more serious medical concerns. Here, a round-up to help you decode what's popped up and how it can be treated.

1. Acne
2. Herpes
3. Eczema

4. Atopic Dermatitis
5. Skin Cancer
6. Bacterial Infections

Acne

Acne is a common skin condition affecting up to 80% of people in their teens and twenties. It doesn't necessarily go away once puberty is over, though -- 5% of older adults are affected, too. Learn more about what causes acne and the different treatment options that are available.

• What Causes Acne?
• Blackheads & Whiteheads
• How Acne Forms
• The Acne Quiz
• Acne Scar Treatments
• Treating Acne With Accutane

• How to Use Retin-A
• Treating Acne With Oral Antibiotics
• Treating Acne With Topical Antibiotics
• Treating Acne With Topical Retinoids
• Treating Acne With Other Topical Medications

Herpes

There are two types of herpes simplex viruses -- herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). Herpes is a very common skin disease that can cause sores in the genital area as well as the mouth. Learn more about what herpes looks like and how people get it.

• How the Herpes Simplex Virus Works
• The First Genital Herpes Outbreak
• Take the Herpes Trigger Poll
• Herpes Symptoms in Women
• Herpes and Pregnancy
• Reducing the Risk of Transmission of Herpes to Infants

• Herpes Treatment Considerations
• Medications Used to Treat Herpes
• Cold Sores
• Medications Used to Treat Cold Sores
• Herpes Pictures

Eczema

The simple definition of dermatitis is "inflammation of the skin." This could actually describe just about any abnormal skin condition, but we don't call every rash a dermatitis. There are actually several distinct types of dermatitis and these are covered here.

• What is Eczema?
• Poison Ivy
• Allergic Contact Dermatitis
• Where People Get Allergic Contact Dermatitis

• Irritant Contact Dermatitis
• Dyshidrotic Eczema
• Pityriasis Alba
• Lichen Simplex Chronicus

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. It tends to run in families, and often people with atopic dermatitis also have asthma and hay fever (allergic rhinitis). Do you have a child who's just been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, and you want to know what's going on and what to expect? Or have you had it all your life, and you want to learn more about what to do about flare-ups? These articles will help you understand more about the "itch that rashes."

• Atopic Dermatitis 101
• What Causes Atopic Dermatitis
• What Atopic Dermatitis Looks Like
• How Atopic Dermatitis Is Diagnosed

• How Atopic Dermatitis Is Treated
• Atopic Dermatitis Skin Care
• Medications for Atopic Dermatitis

Skin Cancer

Did you know that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States? As a matter of fact, more than a million people are diagnosed with skin cancer in a year. Melanoma is the most deadly skin cancer, but squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are very common and grow slowly. Over 90% of skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. This group of articles will cover what you need to know about skin cancer.

• Melanoma
• Types of Melanoma
• Normal and Abnormal Moles
• Melanoma vs Normal Moles

• Basal Cell Carcinoma
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma
• How to Examine Your Skin for Abnormal Moles

Bacterial Infections

About one out of every five people seen by a dermatologist has a bacterial skin infection. Even though most of these are caused by only 2 types of bacteria, those bacteria can cause many varied infections. Most people know a boil when they see one, but could you tell the difference between impetigo and erysipelas? After reading these articles, you will.

• Folliculitis, Furuncles, and Carbuncles
• Impetigo
• Erysipelas
• Hot Tub Folliculitis
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever