Moles are common. In fact, light-skinned adults typically have 10 to 40 “common” or “normal” moles on their skin. When you talk to your dermatologist about your moles, he or she may use the word “nevus.” Nevus is the medical term for mole. When your dermatologist is talking about two or more

Skin cancer is the most common cancer. Current estimates are that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. When detected early, skin cancer is highly treatable. The most common warning signs of skin cancer include changes in size, shape, or color of a mole or other skin lesion or

If you have acne, also called acne vulgaris, you’re not alone. It is the most common skin condition in the United States. Approximately 40 to 50 million Americans have acne. Most are teens and young adults but it can occur at any age.Newborns get acne. Children get acne. Even menopausal women get acne. At

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, a condition in which your body’s immune system attacks healthy cells. Lupus can affect many organs in your body, including your skin. The skin is affected in approximately two-thirds of people who have lupus. Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) flare WHAT IS LUPUS? There

Lichen planus is a skin disease that also is common inside the mouth. It also can affect your genitals, scalp, fingernails and toenails. WHAT DOES LICHEN PLANUS LOOK LIKE? On each part of the body, lichen planus looks somewhat different. The following describes what you can see on each part of the body. Skin On

Unwanted hair is a concern for many people. If unwanted hair bothers you, you may want to discuss this with your dermatologist. Many dermatologists offer treatment for unwanted hair. One treatment option is laser hair removal. Laser hair removal reduces the amount of unwanted hair. A laser sends beams

Hyperhidrosis is excess sweating. We all need to sweat to keep our bodies cool. However, people with hyperhidrosis seem to have overactive sweat glands. They may sweat even when their body does not need cooling. Many people who have hyperhidrosis sweat from one or more areas of the body. Most often,

Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of skin color. Avoiding overexposure to the sun is the most preventable way to reduce your risk for all skin cancers, including melanoma, the deadliest form. Seeking shade, wearing protective clothing and applying sunscreen are important ways to protect your skin

Urticaria is the medical term for hives. Hives are pink welts or swellings that can itch, burn or sting. Hives can vary in size from as small as a pen tip to as large as a dinner plate, and they may join together to form even larger swellings. Hives generally go away within 24 hours, although new hives

Hidradenitis suppurativa, also known as acne inversa, is an inflammatory disease that causes bumps to appear on the skin. While these bumps may resemble pimples or boils, they typically appear in places where acne does not, such as the underarms and groin. Many people have HS for life. When the condition

Herpes zoster, more commonly known as shingles, is a painful skin rash that often blisters. The disease is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles. Close up of zoster blisters What causes shingles? The virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella

Herpes simplex is a common viral infection. If you’ve ever had a cold sore, you’ve been infected with the herpes simplex virus. Most cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is why HSV-1 is also called “oral herpes.” A different yet closely related herpes simplex virus,

Hand rashes are common. Our hands touch so many things that can cause a rash. WHY DO HAND RASHES DEVELOP? A hand rash can occur because of something you touched or something going on inside your body. Some rashes appear almost immediately. Others develop over time. Many people get a hand rash from substances

Granuloma annulare is a skin condition that is often confused with ringworm, a fungal skin infection. It is important to see a board-certified dermatologist for the correct diagnosis. What Causes Granuloma Annulare? The cause of granuloma annulare is unknown; however, dermatologists and researchers believe

Genital warts are warts that form in the genital area. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) in people who are infected with this virus. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Only a few types of HPV can cause genital warts. HOW DO PEOPLE GET

For most people, a fungal infection causes a mild skin rash or itching of the skin. Most fungal infections develop on the skin, but a fungal infection also can affect the nails and hair. If a person has a weak immune system due to a medical condition such as HIV or cancer, a fungal infection may be more