Skin Conditions

Summary

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. It covers and protects your body. Your skin:

• Holds body fluids in, preventing dehydration
• Keeps harmful microbes out, preventing infections
• Helps you feel things like heat, cold, and pain
• Keeps your body temperature even
• Makes vitamin D when the sun shines on it

Anything that irritates, clogs, or inflames your skin can cause symptoms such as redness, swelling, burning, and itching. Allergies, irritants, your genetic makeup, and certain diseases and immune system problems can cause rashes, hives, and other skin conditions. Many skin problems, such as acne, also affect your appearance.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Genetics

• Acral peeling skin syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Adams-Oliver syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Adermatoglyphia: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip/palate syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Bart-Pumphrey syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Blau syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Clouston syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Cole disease: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform erythroderma and limb defects: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• CYLD cutaneous syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Dyskeratosis congenita: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Epidermal nevus: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Epidermolysis bullosa simplex: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Erythrokeratodermia variabilis et progressiva: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Familial pityriasis rubra pilaris: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Focal dermal hypoplasia: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Harlequin ichthyosis: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Hereditary fibrosing poikiloderma with tendon contractures, myopathy, and pulmonary fibrosis: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Hystrix-like ichthyosis with deafness: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Ichthyosis with confetti: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Incontinentia pigmenti: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Junctional epidermolysis bullosa: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Keratoderma with woolly hair: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Lamellar ichthyosis: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Laryngo-onycho-cutaneous syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Lipoid proteinosis: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Majeed syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Mal de Meleda: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Microphthalmia with linear skin defects syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Multiple pterygium syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Naegeli-Franceschetti-Jadassohn syndrome/dermatopathia pigmentosa reticularis: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Netherton syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Nonbullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Nonsyndromic aplasia cutis congenita: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Pachyonychia congenita: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Palmoplantar keratoderma with deafness: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Poikiloderma with neutropenia: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Rothmund-Thomson syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Scalp-ear-nipple syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Sjögren-Larsson syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Steatocystoma multiplex: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Trichothiodystrophy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• UV-sensitive syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Vohwinkel syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Encyclopedia

• Actinic keratosis Medical Encyclopedia
• Blue discoloration of the skin Medical Encyclopedia
• Cellulite Medical Encyclopedia
• Dermatitis herpetiformis Medical Encyclopedia
• Ear tag Medical Encyclopedia
• Ectodermal dysplasia Medical Encyclopedia
• Epidermolysis bullosa Medical Encyclopedia
• Erythema nodosum Medical Encyclopedia
• Erythema toxicum Medical Encyclopedia
• Henoch-Schonlein purpura Medical Encyclopedia
• Hyperelastic skin Medical Encyclopedia
• Ichthyosis vulgaris Medical Encyclopedia
• Idiopathic livedo reticularis Medical Encyclopedia
• Intertrigo Medical Encyclopedia
• Ischemic ulcers — self-care Medical Encyclopedia
• Lamellar ichthyosis Medical Encyclopedia
• Lichen simplex chronicus Medical Encyclopedia
• Nikolsky sign Medical Encyclopedia
• Perioral dermatitis Medical Encyclopedia
• Pityriasis rosea Medical Encyclopedia
• Pityriasis rubra pilaris Medical Encyclopedia
• Polymorphic light eruption Medical Encyclopedia
• Purpura Medical Encyclopedia
• Pyogenic granuloma Medical Encyclopedia
• Skin and hair changes during pregnancy Medical Encyclopedia
• Skin blushing/flushing Medical Encyclopedia
• Skin flaps and grafts – self-care Medical Encyclopedia
• Skin graft Medical Encyclopedia
• Skin lesion biopsy Medical Encyclopedia
• Skin lumps Medical Encyclopedia
• Skin self-exam Medical Encyclopedia
• Skin turgor Medical Encyclopedia
• Stretch marks Medical Encyclopedia
• Subcutaneous emphysema Medical Encyclopedia
• Wood lamp examination Medical Encyclopedia
• Xanthoma Medical Encyclopedia
• Xeroderma pigmentosa Medical Encyclopedia
• Xerosis Medical Encyclopedia

Images

• Actinic Keratosis (Solar Keratosis) VisualDX
• Capillaritis VisualDX
• Cutaneous Horn VisualDX
• Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra VisualDX
• Epidermoid Cyst VisualDX
• Erythema Nodosum VisualDX
• Fordyce Spots VisualDX
• Granuloma Annulare VisualDX
• Ichthyosis Vulgaris VisualDX
• Intertrigo VisualDX
• Keratoacanthoma VisualDX
• Keratosis Pilaris VisualDX
• Lichen Planus VisualDX
• Milia VisualDX
• Notalgia Paresthetica VisualDX
• Poikiloderma of Civatte VisualDX
• Pseudofolliculitis Barbae VisualDX
• Pyogenic Granuloma VisualDX
• Sebaceous Hyperplasia VisualDX
• Seborrheic Keratoses VisualDX
• Skin Tag (Acrochordon) VisualDX
• Stasis Dermatitis VisualDX
• Stretch Marks (Striae) VisualDX
• Syringoma VisualDX
• Xerosis VisualDX

Find an Expert

• American Academy of Dermatology American Academy of Dermatology
• American Society for Dermatologic Surgery American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
• Find a Dermatologist American Academy of Dermatology
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Teenagers

• Cellulite Nemours Foundation
• Pityriasis Rosea American Academy of Pediatrics

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Skin Diseases National Institutes of Health

Women

• Common Skin Conditions during Pregnancy American Academy of Family Physicians

Videos and Tutorials

• Components of skin Medical Encyclopedia

Treatments and Therapies

• Cryosurgery VisualDX
• Dermatology Procedures American Osteopathic College of Dermatology
• Electrodesiccation VisualDX
• Laser Resurfacing American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
• Products Marketed for Removing Moles and Other Skin Lesions Can Cause Injuries, Scarring Food and Drug Administration
• Skin graft – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
• Treatment of Actinic Keratosis National Cancer Institute

Patient Handouts

• Cryotherapy Medical Encyclopedia
• Cutaneous skin tags Medical Encyclopedia
• Dry skin – self-care Medical Encyclopedia
• Epidermoid cyst Medical Encyclopedia
• Erythema multiforme Medical Encyclopedia
• Gianotti-Crosti syndrome Medical Encyclopedia
• Granuloma annulare Medical Encyclopedia
• Keratosis pilaris Medical Encyclopedia
• Lichen planus Medical Encyclopedia
• Milia Medical Encyclopedia
• Seborrheic keratosis Medical Encyclopedia
• Skin lesion removal Medical Encyclopedia
• Skin lesion removal – aftercare Medical Encyclopedia
• Stasis dermatitis and ulcers Medical Encyclopedia

Specifics

• Dermatitis Herpetiformis American Osteopathic College of Dermatology
• Dermatographia (Dermatographism) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Dry Skin Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Dry Skin (Xerosis) American Academy of Dermatology
• Ectodermal Dysplasia National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
• Epidermolysis Bullosa National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
• Lichen Planus: Overview American Academy of Dermatology
• Lichen Sclerosus Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Lichen Sclerosus Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Lichen Striatus American Osteopathic College of Dermatology
• Morgellons Disease: Managing an Unexplained Skin Condition Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Pachyonychia Congenita National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
• Pityriasis Rosea: Overview American Academy of Dermatology
• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• What Is Ichthyosis? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Reference Desk

• Dermatology Terms American Osteopathic College of Dermatology

Children

• Healthy Skin Matters National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
• Splinters and Other Foreign Bodies in the Skin American Academy of Pediatrics
• What Are Freckles? Nemours Foundation
• Your Skin Nemours Foundation

Prevention and Risk Factors

• How to Protect Yourself from Job-Related Skin Problems American Academy of Family Physicians
• Skin Care: 5 Tips for Healthy Skin Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Journal Articles

• Skin diseases

Diagnosis and Tests

• Rash Evaluation National Library of Medicine
• Skin Biopsy National Library of Medicine
• Skin Cancer Screening National Library of Medicine
• Skin Rashes and Other Problems American Academy of Family Physicians
• Wood’s Lamp Examination VisualDX

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• Skin 101: Identifying Common Conditions

Statistics and Research

• Skin Conditions by the Numbers American Academy of Dermatology

Related Issues

• Skin Problems in Construction Center for Construction Research and Training

Start Here

• Skin, Hair, and Nails: The Body’s Protective Layer Nemours Foundation
• Symptom Checker VisualDX