Acne
Acne is a very common skin disorder that most young people get in early puberty. It is caused by inflammation of the small oil glands (sebaceous glands) that surround the fine hairs on the face and chest. Everyone will experience acne. Here is an ... [... more]
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Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the foot caused by parasites on the skin called dermatophytes. Dermatophytes can be divided into three groups according to their favourite hosts: Tight-fitting trainers are a common cause of athlete's ... [... more]
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Porphyria cutanea tarda
The porphyrias are a group of diseases in which there is a defect somewhere in the complex chain of chemical steps that are required for the synthesis of the molecule known as haem. Haem is one of a group of compounds called porphyrins and is an ... [... more]
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Purpura
Spontaneous bleeding into the skin usually appears as a rash known as purpura (Figure 1). Dr Claire Harrison, lecturer in haematology and Professor Samuell Machin, professor of haematology Petechiae is the term given to the individual small red ... [... more]
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Infection of the skin by Candida albicans (cutaneous ...
An infection of the skin by the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans. Infection of the skin by Candida albicans (cutaneous candidiasis) The human body contains a vast number of different micro-organisms, including fungi, both on the inside and on ... [... more]
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Chronic actinic dermatitis
Chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD), sometimes known as photosensitivity dermatitis/actinic reticuloid syndrome (PD/AR), is a condition in which the skin becomes inflamed, particularly in areas that have been exposed to sunlight or artificial ... [... more]
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Cold sores
Cold sores are a very common illness caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The disorder is characterised by groups of fluid-filled blisters which appear on red swollen areas of the skin or on the mucous membranes. The areas can be tender and ... [... more]
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Cradle cap (infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis)
Cradle cap is a disease of the scalp in babies, characterised by greasy, yellow, scaly patches on the skin of the scalp. The condition is temporary and harmless. The cause is unknown. It is not due to infection, allergy or inadequate ... [... more]
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Dandruff
Dandruff is the most common condition affecting the scalp. Skin is constantly renewing itself and dead cells from the scalp fall off as new cells form beneath them. Everyone loses skin cells in this way, but with dandruff the whole process is ... [... more]
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Coping with dry skin
A condition (not necessarily a disease) where the skin is red, scaly and itchy. As people get older, the number of sebaceous glands that give out a type of oil in the skin are reduced, as is the skin's ability to hold moisture. It appears both ... [... more]
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Erysipelas
Erysipelas is an acute infection of the skin and underlying fat tissues, usually caused by the streptococcus bacteria. This highly unpleasant condition is most common in elderly people. It is also seen in the very young, and in people with ... [... more]
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Erythema infectiosum
Erythema infectiosum is also called 'slapped cheek disease' or 'fifth disease'. It is a viral infection that predominantly affects children between the ages of 5 and 15. Parents, or people working with children, are also liable to infection. The ... [... more]
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