Common Skin Disorders

Skin disorders vary greatly in symptoms and severity. They can be temporary or permament, and may be painless or painful. Some have situational causes, while others may be genetic. Some skin conditions are minor, and others can be life-threatening. Common... Read more

44 Common Skin Disorders

Skin Cancer

• actinic keratosis: red, pink, or rough patch of skin on sun-exposed areas
• basal cell carcinoma: raised, waxy, pink bumps
• squamous cell carcinoma: red, scaly, rough skin lesions, typically on sun-exposed areas such as the hands, head, neck, lips, and ears
• melanoma: asymmetrically shaped moles or lesions with irregular borders, or change in color or diameter

Lupus

• fatigue, headaches, fever, and swollen or painful joints
• disc-shaped rash that doesn’t itch or hurt
• scaly red patches or ring shapes
• sunburn-like rash that spreads across the nose and both cheeks

Rubeola (Measles)

• fever, cough, and runny nose
• reddish-brown rash spreads down the body three to five days after first symptoms appear
• tiny red spots with blue-white centers inside the mouth

Acne

• papules: small red, raised bumps caused by infected hair follicles
• pustules: small, red pimples that have pus at their tips
• nodules: solid, painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin
• cysts: painful, pus-filled infections found beneath the skin

Hemangioma of Skin

• usually appear on the neck or face of infants
• small, red scratch or bump that eventually begins to protrude
• most disappear from the skin by age 10

Cold Sore

• red, fluid-filled blisters that appear near the mouth
• your lips will often tingle or burn before the sore is visible
• the sore is painful or tender to the touch

Psoriasis

• plaque: thick red patches of skin
• guttate: small red spots on the torso, limbs, face, and scalp
• inverse: a red, shiny, smooth rash in skin folds
• pustular: white pustules surrouned by red skin
• erythrodermic: resembles severe burns and covers large portions of the body

Rosacea

• subtype one: flushing, redness, and broken blood vessels
• subtype two: acne-like breakouts, redness, and oily skin
• subtype three: bumpy skin, thick skin on nose, chin, forehead, cheeks, and ears
• subtype four: bloodshot, watery, dry, and itchy eyes

Seborrheic Eczema

• yellow or white scaly patches that flake off
• affected areas may be red, itchy, greasy, or oily
• hair loss may occur in the area with the rash

Hives

• itchy, raised welts
• red and painful to the touch
• can be small, round, and ring-shaped or large and randomly shaped

Vitiligo

• loss of pigment in the skin
• focal pattern: loss of skin color in only a few small areas
• segmental pattern: depigmentation on one side of the body
• premature graying of scalp and facial hair

Warts

• common warts: rough, grainy appearance and rounded top
• plantar warts: small hole in the bottom of your foot surrounded by hardened skin
• flat warts: flat top that may be pink, brown, or slightly yellow

Necrotizing Fasciitis

• warm, red skin and sore muscles
• small, painful red bump develops and eventually grows and becomes more painful
• oozing, discolored skin
• lesions may appear

Cutaneous Candidiasis

• usually occurs in skin folds (armpits, between fingers)
• can be white or red
• progresses to cracked, sore skin with blisters and pustules

Carbuncle

• red, irritated lump under your skin
• body aches and fatigue
• fever, skin crustiness, or oozing

Cellulitis

• bacteria enter through a crack or cut in the skin
• red, sore, with swelling that spreads quickly
• hot and tender to the touch

Hypohidrosis

• minimal perspiration
• dizziness, flushed appearance
• muscle cramps or weakness
• feeling overly hot

Impetigo

• common in children
• itchy rash and fluid-filled blisters that pop easily
• swollen lymph nodes

Cutis Laxa

• rare, inherited skin condition
• loose, wrinkled skin
• varying severity of poor muscle tone, fragile bones, developmental delays

Decubitus Ulcer

• common among people who spend long periods in bed or a wheelchair
• hips, heels, and other bony areas are most vulnerable
• skin discoloration, infection, and open skin

Erysipelas

• red, swollen, warm, painful area of skin with raised edge
• blisters on the affected area
• generally feeling unwell

Diaper Rash

• near the diaper area
• skin looks red and irritated
• warm to the touch

Dyshidrotic Eczema

• blisters on fingers, toes, hands, or feet
• blisters are usually fluid-filled and itchy
• blisters will dry and turn to skin cracks after several weeks

Canker Sore

• an open, painful mouth ulcer
• white or yellowish and surrounded by red, inflamed soft tissue
• usually located on the inside of the cheek or lip

Herpes Stomatitis

• multiple blisters on the gums, palate, cheeks, tongue, or lip border
• difficulty eating, drinking, and swallowing
• drooling, pain, and swollen gums

Fungal Nail Infection

• scaling under the nail
• flaking white areas on the nail’s surface
• crumbling corner or tip of the nail

Ichthyosis Vulgaris

• polygon-shaped brown, gray, or white scales
• dry, itchy, thickened skin
• flaky scalp

Dermatomyositis

• red or violet rash on the face, chest, nails, or elbows
• muscle weakness that starts in the neck, arms, or hips
• most common between the ages of 5 and 15 or 40 and 60

Molluscum Contagiosum

• bumps that may appear in a patch of up to 20
• small, shiny, and smooth
• flesh-colored, white, or pink
• firm and dome-shaped with a dent or dimple in the middle

Ingrown Nails

• skin next to the nail becomes tender, swollen, or hard
• pain, bleeding, or oozing pus
• overgrowth of skin around toe

Acrodermatitis

• affects children between the ages of 6 and 12
• itchy, red blisters usually on the arms, thighs, and buttocks
• blisters may turn purple and fill with fluid

Sebaceous Cyst

• found on the face, neck, or torso
• large cysts may cause pressure and pain
• very slow-growing

Seborrheic Keratosis

• start out as small, rough areas
• develop thick, wart-life surfaces over time
• usually oval-shaped and brown

Pilonidal Sinus

• symptoms aren’t very noticeable until an infection occurs
• pain when sitting or standing
• swelling of the cyst
• reddened, sore skin around the area

Keloid

• symptoms occur at the site of a previous injury
• lumpy or rigid area of skin
• area that is flesh-colored, pink, or red

Lichen Planus

• purplish-colored bumps with flat tops (mostly found on the wrist, inner forearm, or ankles)
• lesions that develop and spread over the course of two weeks to a few months
• itching, blisters, and white lines over the rash
• lesions in the mouth, which may burn or be painful

Actinic Keratosis

• known as "age" spots
• skin patches that are brown, tan, gray, or pink
• appear on parts of the body that receive a lot of sun exposure (hands, arms, face, scalp, and neck)
• thick, scaly, or crusty skin patches

Stasis Dermatitis and Leg Ulcers

• skin appears thin and itches
• can crack and ooze fluid
• skin thickens and appears brown and lumpy in later stages
• ulcer forms in final stages

Corns and Calluses

• small, round circles of thick skin
• commonly found on the tops and sides of toes and soles of feet
• caused by friction and pressure

Eczema

• itchy, dry, rough, flaky, inflamed, and irritated skin
• red or brownish-gray patches
• small, raised bumps that ooze fluid when scratched

Tinea Versicolor

• lighter or darker than the surrounding skin
• dry, itchy, and scaly
• more prominent with tanning

Pemphigoid

• red rash followed by fluid-filled blisters
• blisters are thick and don’t rupture easily
• ruptured blisters are sensitive and painful

Mouth Ulcers

• small lesions that develop in your mouth
• minor sores are small and oval-shaped
• major sores have irregular edges

Shingles

• itchy, red patches with fluid-filled blisters that break easily
• rash that wraps around the spine and torso
• may be accompanied with fever, chills, headache, or fatigue