Skin, Hair, and Nail Conditions
By Heather Brannon, MD, About.com Guide to Dermatology
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 of skin conditions and symptoms from A to Z to help you decode your rash with in-depth focus on several common conditions.
- Skin Conditions A to E
- Skin Conditions F to O
- Skin Conditions P to S
- Skin Conditions T to Z
- Acne: In Depth
Skin Conditions A to E
A list of skin conditions and symptoms starting with the letters A through E.
- Abscess
- Acne Scars
- Allergic Contact Dermatitis
- Athlete's Foot
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
- Blisters
- Cellulitis
- Chicken Pox
- Cholinergic Urticaria
- Cold Sores
- Cold Urticaria
- Comedones
- Dark Spots
- Dermatitis
- Dermographism
- Dyshidrotic Eczema
- Epidermoid Cyst
- Erysipelas
- Exercise Induced Anaphylaxis
Skin Conditions F to O
A list of skin conditions and symptoms starting with the letters F through O.
- Fungal Nails
- Genital Herpes
- Head Lice
- Hidradenitis Suppurativa
- Hot Tub Folliculitis
- Impetigo
- Ingrown Nails
- Intertrigo
- Irritant Contact Dermatitis
- Itching
- Jock Itch
- Lichen Simplex Chronicus
- Mastocytosis
- Melanoma
- Moles
- Molluscum Contagiosum
- Nits
- Oral Herpes
Skin Conditions P to S
A list of skin conditions and symptoms starting with the letters P through S.
Skin Conditions T to Z
A list of skin conditions starting with the letters T through Z
Acne: In Depth
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
Atopic Dermatitis: In Depth
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
Bacterial Infections: In Depth
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
Eczema: In Depth
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.
Herpes: In Depth
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.
