Eczema is a common name for a group of conditions that result in dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. It is also called dermatitis which refers to inflammation of the skin. It is a very common condition. Different types of eczema affect around 10% of the population in the United States. In common usage, the word eczema is […]
Skin
Allergy Skin Tests – Indications, Procedure, and Interpretation
Allergy skin tests help to identify the substances to which a person is allergic. An allergen is a substance that can cause an allergic reaction. During skin testing, the skin is exposed to the suspected allergen and observed for signs of an allergic reaction. Read more about Skin Anatomy and Physiology Besides skin testing, other tests […]
Atopic Dermatitis: Causes, Self-care Tips and Treatment
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease that results in red, inflamed, dry, and itchy skin. The disease has a genetic predisposition and usually begins in childhood. Itching and hyperirritability of the skin are its main features. The term atopic is from the Greek meaning ‘out of place’ or ‘strange’. The term dermatitis […]
Itching or Pruritus : Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Itching is an unpleasant sensation of the skin that leads to a desire to rub or scratch the skin area so as to get relief. Itch is a major somatic sensation, along with pain, temperature, and touch. Pruritus is the medical term for the itch. Pruritus can be localized to a particular area of the […]
10 Dos and Don’ts About Acne Care
Acne (pimples) is a common, self-limiting skin condition that affects boys and girls in their teenage and early youth. In some cases, acne persists even up to 35-40 years of age. Acne care is demanding but doable though it requires persistence and prudence in a lot of cases. Most of the acne care is self-managed […]
Shingles or Herpes Zoster – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Shingles or Herpes zoster is a viral disease that occurs with reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (a virus that causes varicella or chickenpox). It is characterized by a painful skin rash which usually shows a dermatomal distribution. Pathophysiology of Herpes Zoster Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), is a double-stranded DNA virus. It is a herpes virus related […]
Herpes Simplex Infection: Causes, Presentation and Diagnosis
Herpes simplex is an infection caused by HSV (herpes simplex virus). This virus can affect various organs including the external genitalia, anal region, mucosal surfaces, and skin in other parts of the body. It is a contagious disease causing sores, painful blisters, or ulcers at the site of infection. The term herpes is derived from […]
Tinea Versicolor [Pityriasis Versicolor] – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
Tinea versicolor is a superficial fungal infection of the skin which causes hypopigmented [light colored] or hyperpigmented macules [dark colored] spots on chest and back. The infection is caused by Malassezia genus of fungus that is found on everyone’s skin. Versi means several and the term implies discoloration of the skin, with colors ranging from […]
Spider Nevi or Spider Angioma
Spider nevi [singular nevus] are common benign vascular lesion present in healthy people as well as associated with some disorders. Spider nevi are seen in 10-15% of healthy adults and young children that may appear as solitary or multiple lesions. The name spider nevus is because of its physical appearance resembling a spider. It consists […]
Cutaneous Larva Migrans
Cutaneous larva migrans is a skin eruption caused by the larvae of animal hookworms [Not the human hookworms which affect the alimentary system but rarely can cause this condition too]. The term literally means “wandering larvae in the skin”. It is the most common tropically acquired dermatosis. Ancylostoma braziliense is the most frequently found species. Larval migration […]