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Acne Treatment
What causes acne? Acne is caused by plugged oil glands. At puberty, the oil glands in the skin start producing an oily material called sebum. This is discharged onto the skin’s surface. Sometimes the wall of the oil gland...
Actinic Keratoses (AKs)
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are dry, scaly patches that form on sun exposed areas of the skin, including the scalp, face, forearms, and back of the hands. A single lesion is called an "actinic keratosis" or "solar keratosis". Actinic keratoses are...
Anthralin for Psoriasis
Anthralin is used to treat psoriasis. It may also be used to treat other skin conditions as determined by your doctor, such as alopecia aerate. In the U.S., this medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription. Brand names include...
Atopic Dermatitis Triggers & Tips
What is Atopic Dermatitis? Atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema) is a fairly common skin disease that affects about 3% of the U.S. population. It tends to occur in families who have asthma, hay fever, or other allergies. It occurs most commonly in infants...
Boils and Carbuncles
Boils and carbuncles are bacterial infections of the skin that form red, painful, pus-filled bumps. They usually arise on the face, neck, back, legs, and buttocks. Carbuncles is the name given to a cluster of boils. Carbuncles tend to cause...
Coal Tar for Psoriasis
Coal tar is one of the oldest known treatments for psoriasis. It is available over-the-counter without a prescription as a shampoo, gel, and cream. Coal tar reduces inflammation, slows the rapid growth of skin cells associated with psoriasis, and relieves...
Dermatofibroma
What is a dermatofibroma? A dermatofibroma is a slowly-growing, round to oval, brownish to purple, firm skin growth that is usually dome-shaped, but may be depressed below the skin surface. The most common locations are the legs and arms. Dermatofibromas contain scar...
Dry Skin Relief (Video)
The sequence in which you apply your skin care products affects how well the products work. Learn some basic tips regarding skin care from dermatologists. The American Academy of Dermatology is the largest, most influential and most representative of all...
Facial Flushing
Facial flushing is a sudden reddening of the face. The redness may affect the neck, or upper chest and is often associated with a sense of warmth, sweating or mild itching. Facial flushing is a normal bodily response to an...
Intertrigo
Intertrigo is a rash that occurs in the skin folds, such as the armpits, under the breasts, and the inner thighs. It is very common, especially among overweight people or those with diabetes. It occurs due to an overgrowth of...
Itching
Itch is the uncomfortable, irritating feeling which creates the desire to scratch. It can be the result of a nearly endless number of possible causes, ranging from skin conditions, such as eczema or poison oak, to internal diseases. Itch can...
Keratosis Pilaris
Keratosis pilaris (KP) describes bumpy,dry skin. It can occur at any age or location, but it is particularly common on the upper arms in teenagers or on the cheeks of infants. The rash of keratosis pilaris seldom itches, is never...
Moles (Nevi), Normal
Moles are very common growths on the skin. Another name for a mole is a nevus. The plural is nevi. Most people have between 10 and 40 moles on their body. They may be pink, tan, brown, or a color...
Perioral Dermatitis
Perioral dermatitis is a variant of rosacea that appears as tiny red bumps (papules) around the mouth. It usually spares the skin closest to the lips (the vermillion border). It occurs most commonly in adult women, but may also affect...
Poison Ivy and Poison Oak Overview
What causes poison ivy or poison oak rash? Poison ivy and poison oak rashes are caused by allergy to a substance called urushiol found in these plants. Since urushiol is found in all parts of the plant (leaves, stems, and roots),...
Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac
Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are common plants of the genus toxicodendron that contain an oil called urushiol. When urushiol oil touches the skin, many people develop an itchy and inflamed rash due to an immune response called...
Psoriasis Overview
What is psoriasis? A chronic skin disorder that affects at least 4 million people in the United States. What causes psoriasis? No one knows. Skin injury, emotional stress and some forms of infections are said to trigger its development. Who...
Psoriasis of the Scalp Treatment
Use the medication selected by your dermatologist. The choices will depend on the severity of your scalp involvement. Tar Shampoo: Wet the scalp thoroughly in the shower. Then apply a shampoo containing tar (Polytar, T-gel, Ionil T,) one containing tar...
Seborrheic Keratosis
Seborrheic keratoses are dark skin growths that appear in adulthood. Although they may be large and grow quickly, they are benign. They are not caused by sun damage so they may be typically found on areas both covered and uncovered...
Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
What is shingles? Shingles is an outbreak of rash or blisters on the skin. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus – the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have chickenpox, the virus stays in your body. It may...
Sun Protection
The damaging UV radiation in sunlight can lead to many skin problems, including sunburn, age spots, wrinkles, melasma, freckles, allergic rashes, and precancerous lesions called actinic keratoses. Most importantly, overexposure to sunlight is the major cause of skin cancer, including melanoma....
Tinea Versicolor
What Causes Tinea Versicolor? Tinea Versicolor is a harmless skin disorder caused by a yeast-like organism living on normal skin. Usually, this yeast, which all of us have on our skin, grows sparsely and is not visible. In some individuals, for unknown...
Tretinoin
Tretinoin (RETIN-A) Therapy for Acne What Is Tretinoin? Tretinoin (trade name Retin A) is a very effective drug against acne. It is similar to Vitamin A in structure. It acts by preventing the plugging of oil glands in the skin. How Long...