common skin problems

Do you have skin problems?

Is your skin itching, breaking out, covered in a rash, or playing host to strange spots? Skin inflammation, changes in texture or color, and spots may be the result of infection, a chronic skin condition, or contact with an allergen or irritant. You can learn to recognize common adult skin problems. Yet, while many are minor, they may signal something more serious, so always consult a doctor for proper diagnosis.

Shingles (herpes zoster)Shingles results in a rash that can be mildly itchy to intensely painful.

Shingles starts with burning, tingling, or very sensitive skin. A rash of raised dots develops into painful blisters that last about two weeks. Shingles often occurs on the trunk and buttocks, but can appear anywhere. Most people recover, but pain, numbness, and itching linger for many -- and may last for months, years, or the rest of their lives. Treatment with antiviral drugs, steroids, antidepressants, and topical agents can help.

Hives (urticaria)Hives vary in size and may join together to form larger areas.

Hives, a common allergic reaction that looks like welts, are often itchy, stinging, or burning. They may appear anywhere and last minutes or days. Severe hives can cause difficult breathing (get immediate medical attention if this occurs). Medications, foods, or food additives, temperature extremes, and infections like strep throat can cause hives. Removing the trigger often resolves the hives in days or weeks. Antihistamines can provide relief.

PsoriasisSymptoms of psoriasis may be mild (left), or moderate to severe (right).

A non-contagious rash of thick red plaques covered with silvery scales, psoriasis usually affects the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. The rash can heal and recur throughout life. The cause of psoriasis is unknown, but skin inflammation may be triggering new skin cells to develop too quickly. Treatments include steroid or retinoid creams, light therapy, and medications.

EczemaThe appearance of eczema can vary from person to person.

Eczema describes several non-contagious conditions where skin is inflamed, red, dry, and itchy. Stress, irritants (like soaps), allergens, and climate can trigger flare-ups though they are not eczema's cause, which is unknown. In adults, eczema often occurs on the elbows and hands, and in "bending" areas, such as inside the elbows. Treatments include cortisone creams, pills, shots, antibiotics, antihistamines, or phototherapy.

RosaceaMen may have more severe symptoms of rosacea; it's more common in women.

Often beginning as a tendency to flush easily, rosacea causes redness on the nose, chin, cheeks, forehead, even in the eyes. The redness may intensify over time, taking on a ruddy appearance. If left untreated, bumps and pus-filled pimples can develop, with the nose and oil glands becoming bulbous. Rosacea treatment includes medications, as well as surgery to remove blood vessels or correct nose disfigurement.

Rash from poisonous plantsA close-up view of a poison ivy rash.

Contact with sap from poison ivy, oak, and sumac causes a rash in most people. It begins with redness and swelling at the contact site, then becomes intensely itchy. Blistering appears within hours or a few days. The typical rash is arranged as a red line on an exposed area, caused by the plant dragging across the skin. The rash usually lasts up to two weeks.

Razor BumpsPeople with curly hair are most affected by razor bumps.

Razor bumps are tiny, irritated bumps that develop after shaving. The sharp edge of closely shaven hair can curl back and grow into the skin, causing irritation and pimples, and even scarring. To minimize razor bumps, take a hot shower before shaving, shave in the direction of hair growth, and don't stretch the skin while shaving. Rinse with cold water, then apply moisturizer.

Skin tagsSkin tags appear most often in women and elderly people.

A skin tag is a small flap of flesh-colored or slightly darker tissue that hangs off the skin by a connecting stalk. Usually found on the neck, chest, back, armpits, under the breasts, or in the groin area, skin tags are not dangerous and usually don't cause pain unless they become irritated by clothing or nearby skin rubbing against them. A doctor can remove a skin tag by cutting, freezing, or burning it off.

AcneAcne is not just for teens: (left) whiteheads; (right) blackhead.

At the heart of acne lies the pimple -- a plug of fat, skin, and keratin. When open, the plug is called a blackhead, closed, a whitehead. Often seen on the face, chest, and back, acne is caused by many things, including hormones. To help control it, keep oily areas clean and don't squeeze pimples (it may cause infection and scars). Only three medications are proven effective for acne treatment: benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, and antibiotics.

Athlete's footInterdigital, or toe web infection, is the most common kind of athlete's foot.

A fungal infection that can cause peeling, redness, itching, burning, and sometimes blisters and sores, athlete's foot is mildly contagious, passed by direct contact or by walking barefoot in areas such as locker rooms, or near pools. The fungi then grow in shoes, especially tight ones without air circulation. It's usually treated with topical antifungal lotions or oral medications for more severe cases.

Moles

Moles can appear anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups.

Usually brown or black, moles can be anywhere on the body, alone or in groups, and generally appear before age 20. Some moles (not all) change slowly over the years, becoming raised, developing hair, and/or changing color. While most are non-cancerous, some moles have a higher risk of becoming cancerous. Have a dermatologist evaluate moles that change, have irregular borders, unusual or uneven color, bleed, or itch.

Age or liver spots (lentigines)

Sun avoidance and the use of sunscreen are key in preventing "age" spots.

These pesky brown spots are not really caused by aging, though they do multiply as you age. They're the result of sun exposure, which is why they tend to appear on areas that get a lot of sun, such as the face, hands, and chest. Bleaching creams, acid peels, and light-based treatments may lessen their appearance. To rule out serious skin conditions such as melanoma, see a dermatologist for proper identification.

Pityriasis Rosea

Pityriasis rosea is most often seen between the ages of 10 and 35.

A harmless rash, pityriasis rosea usually begins with a single, scaly pink patch with a raised border. Days to weeks later, salmon-colored ovals appear on the arms, legs, back, chest, and abdomen, and sometimes the neck. Patches on the back may appear "Christmas tree" shaped. The rash, whose cause is unknown, usually doesn't itch, and often goes away in 6-8 weeks without treatment.

Melasma ('pregnancy mask')

'Pregnancy mask' occurs in half of all women during pregnancy.

Melasma (or chloasma) is characterized by tan or brown patches on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. Although usually called the "pregnancy mask," men can also develop it. Melasma may go away after pregnancy but, if it persists, can be treated with prescription creams and over-the-counter products. Use a sunscreen at all times if you have melasma, as sunlight worsens the condition.