An allergic contact rash (also called allergic contact dermatitis) is a skin reaction that occurs when allergy-causing substances (allergens) touch your skin. If you are sensitive to them, the allergens can cause an itchy rash on swollen, reddened skin. The skin may blister, ooze, form a crust, or flake

A dermatologist is a medical doctor with extensive training, experience, and dedication for keeping skin, hair, and nails healthy—and healthy-looking—throughout your lifetime. SHOULD I SEE A DERMATOLOGIST? A dermatologist is uniquely trained to look at your skin with their eyes and other tools. Dermatologists

Warts are common benign growths (not cancer). Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus. They are contagious and spread easily. Many people get a wart when they have skin-to-skin contact with someone else who has a wart. You also can get a wart by touching something that touched another person’s

Most people who develop vitiligo will have it for the rest of their lives. It is very rare for vitiligo to completely improve. WHO GETS VITILIGO? People of all races and skin colors get vitiligo. About half of those who develop vitiligo do so by age 20, while nearly 95 percent develop vitiligo by age

Vitamin D is an important chemical that helps your body maintain strong and healthy bones. Vitamin D helps the body to use calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that are necessary for healthy bones. Your body naturally produces vitamin D when the skin is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. You also

Birthmarks on the skin of a newborn or that develop on a child’s skin can be upsetting for parents. Most birthmarks appear on the skin when a baby is born. Some develop on a child’s skin after birth. No matter when they develop, most birthmarks are harmless and many even go away on their own or shrink

Tumescent liposuction is a surgical procedure that can safely remove stubborn pockets of fat. It is a surgical procedure. It is not a weight-loss surgery. Dermatologists recommend tumescent liposuction for patients who want to: Remove limited, small amounts of fat that remain despite dieting and exercising Treat

Although we can’t see it, we all have yeast living on the surface of our skin. When it is hot and humid, yeast tends to grow more quickly. An overgrowth of a certain type of yeast, known as pityriasis versicolor, on the skin can cause a common skin condition known as tinea versicolor. Tinea versicolor

How your dermatologist can help If you are considering getting a tattoo or other body art, it is a good idea to speak with your dermatologist. Even if you already have body art and are thinking about adding more, a talk with your dermatologist is still a good idea. Your dermatologist can help you: Separate

Sun protection is important for everyone, no matter what your age. Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Whether you’re enjoying a day together at the beach or watching your child participate in an outdoor sport, it’s important to develop habits that will protect the whole

If you’ve been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, you are not alone. SCC is the second most common form of skin cancer; however, it’s highly treatable when detected early. WHAT DOES SCC LOOK LIKE? SCC appears on the skin in many shapes. You may see a: Bump that feels crusty or rough. Flat patch

Board-certified dermatologists offer several treatments to improve the appearance of varicose and spider veins. The most widely used treatments are sclerotherapy and laser therapy. Your dermatologist will recommend the best treatment option for you after considering several factors, including the type

There are a variety of skin, hair and nail conditions that are common in people with skin of color, such as African Americans, Asians, Latinos, and Native Americans. Your dermatologist can help diagnose and treat these skin conditions. SKIN CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE DARKENING OF THE SKIN MELASMA This common

Your dermatologist has recommended a biopsy to help diagnose your skin disease. This tip sheet will provide you with information about what to expect before, during and after your procedure. Review this information and follow any personalized directions from your dermatologist. WHAT IS A BIOPSY? To diagnose

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases, as they used to be called, spread from one person to another during sexual contact. This contact can involve the genitals, anus, skin, or mouth and result in an infection. WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF STIs? There are more than 20 types

Seborrheic keratoses are common benign (noncancerous) skin growths that can occur anywhere on the body. While it is possible to have a seborrheic keratosis, it is more common to develop many of these growths, especially with increased age. WHAT DOES AN SK LOOK LIKE? Most SKs begin as small, rough bumps

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin disease that causes a red, scaly, itchy rash typically on the scalp, eyebrows, folds around mouth, and ears. Seborrheic dermatitis can last for years. It tends to clear and flare without warning. Treatment often is necessary to control it. For some people, seborrheic

Scars are marks on the skin that result from the normal healing of wounds caused by accidents, diseases, surgeries or other abnormal changes to the skin. The more skin damage that occurs and the longer it takes to heal, the greater the chance of an obvious scar. However, some people may develop a visible

Scabies is a common skin condition. People get scabies when a mite burrows into the top layer of their skin. This eight-legged bug is so small that you cannot see it on the skin. When your skin reacts to the mite, a very itchy rash develops. Scabies HOW DID YOU GET SCABIES? Scabies is contagious. People

Do you blush or flush easily? When you look in the mirror, do you see redness in the center of your face? Do you also see acne-like breakouts even though your teen years ended decades ago? Where you have redness, do you see tiny veins? Rosacea* If so, you might have rosacea. Common signs and symptoms

Pruritus is the medical term for itch. Itching is a common problem that can affect one area of the body or multiple areas at once. Usually, an itch only lasts for a limited period of time. If an itch lasts for more than six weeks, it is considered a chronic itch, which is more likely to disrupt your

WHAT IS PITYRIASIS ROSEA? Pityriasis rosea (pit-ih-RYE-as-sis ro-ZEA) is a common condition that causes patches of redness and a rash on the skin. These patches can look worrisome, but they are harmless. Once it develops, the rash can last anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks before disappearing. While the rash

Perioral dermatitis is a rash that usually forms around the mouth. Perioral means “around the mouth.” Dermatitis is the medical term for “inflamed skin.” People of all skin colors get perioral dermatitis. This rash is most common in young and middle-aged women. Children and adolescents can also

Your nails can tell you a lot about your health. The skin under and around your nails are susceptible to many diseases. Warning signs of other health problems also can appear on your nails. Good nail care is important because it helps prevent many common nail conditions. In addition to taking good care

Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection caused by a virus that spreads easily between people. You can catch this virus through direct skin-to-skin contact or by touching an infected object. While molluscum is usually harmless, it does cause bumps to appear on the skin. These growths can appear

Your dermatologist has recommended Mohs micrographic surgery to treat your skin cancer. This tip sheet will provide you with information about what to expect before, during and after your surgery. It is important to know that your dermatologist may also be your Mohs surgeon. Dermatologists who receive

Melasma is a common skin condition. It causes brown to gray-brown patches on the forehead, upper cheeks, nose, upper lip, and sometimes neck and forearms. These patches often develop slowly and can last for many years. WHO GETS MELASMA? Melasma most often occurs in women. Only 10% of people who get melasma

As you grow older, you will see and feel changes in your skin. You cannot avoid skin changes associated with natural aging. However, there are skin changes you can prevent. There are even diseases, such as skin cancer, that need medical attention. Your dermatologist can be a partner in helping you keep

Follow these tips to protect your skin from the damaging effects of sun exposure and reduce your risk of skin cancer: Apply sunscreen. When you are going to be outside, even on cloudy days, apply sunscreen to all skin that will not be covered by clothing. Reapply approximately every two hours, or after

Check your skin: Skin self-exams can help melanoma survivors find another melanoma early. If you’ve been treated for melanoma, you may never get another melanoma. Many people don’t. But it’s important to know that you have a greater risk of getting another one. Anyone who has had melanoma has

Lymph system: We have lymph nodes, which are connected by lymph vessels (shown in green), throughout our body. The largest number of lymph nodes are found in our neck, armpits, and groin. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread quickly. When melanoma starts to spread, it often travels to a

Reviewing x-ray: FDA-approved combinations of medications can shrink melanoma tumors and stop the cancer from spreading for a longer time. If you have advanced melanoma, this means the cancer has spread. Surgery alone cannot remove the cancer. You’ll need other treatment. One option that your doctor

By age 50, men are more likely than women to develop melanoma. Sun protection can reduce this risk. Researchers have found yet another way that men and women differ. Melanoma, the most-serious skin cancer, affects the sexes differently. Men are more likely to die of melanoma than women. This is true

Family tree: About 10% of melanomas are caused by a gene mutation (change) that passes from one generation to the next. If you’re worried about getting melanoma, the most-serious skin cancer, you may be wondering whether you should have genetic testing. After all, genetic testing is now used find

It’s natural to worry after being diagnosed with melanoma. Getting help dealing with worry and other emotions can bring peace of mind. After a melanoma diagnosis, feelings of worry, fear, or anxiety can be overwhelming. To find out what can help ease these feelings, researchers talked with thousands