Hair follicles are small sacs from which hairs grow. Hair follicles are densest on the scalp, but they also occur in most other places on the body. Spots on the scalp are commonly the result of a bacterial infection referred to as folliculitis....
A refreshing romp in the pool can be less than refreshing for your skin, especially if poor water quality or an allergic reaction leaves you with itchy skin. Several causes can lead to itchy skin, which can be accompanied by tightness, dryness,...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), varicella, also known as chickenpox, is a childhood disease that's highly contagious among those who aren't immune.
More than a skin rash, psoriasis is a lifelong condition requiring ongoing management. In psoriasis, the skin cells reproduce too fast, causing a buildup of cells that leave lesions. Pustular psoriasis, a rare type of psoriasis seen in adults,...
Pustular psoriasis is a less common form of psoriasis. It is marked by a red rash on the skin and tiny white pustules (pus filled blisters) that form on the rash. It can occur anyplace on the body and can be accompanied with other symptoms such as...
Hot tubs offer families an opportunity to relax and unwind, but parents must take special precautions to prevent children's skin problems associated with hot tub use. Hot tub folliculitis, a common rash that causes red bumps and pus-filled...
Cold sores are painful pus-filled blisters that typically appear on the face near the mouth. Cold sores are caused by a strain of the herpes virus and can recur throughout your lifetime. If you are unsuccessful at treating your facial cold sores...
Skin blisters typically appear as circular, raised areas of fluid that collect underneath the top layer of your skin. The fluid, called serum, is usually clear to yellow in color and comes from your damaged blood vessels. Blisters develop to...
Herpes results from infection with the herpes simplex virus. It occurs very commonly, with 16.2 percent of adults infected with genital herpes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 57.7 percent of those age 14 to...
The appearance of a rash on a child's face, while disquieting, is seldom cause for an urgent visit to the doctor. Most commonly, a rash on the face signifies some type of viral infection, according to AskDrSears.com. Even minor skin irritants such...
Shaving hair in the bikini line area often causes unsightly razor bumps. The bumps are caused by ingrown hairs that result when hair grows back into the skin instead of straight out of the follicle. Small, round red or darkened bumps that hurt or...
Many folliculitis infections are considered superficial, which means they affect the upper part of the hair follicle. If you have this type of infection, you will find small, red bumps around your hair follicles and have crusty, oozing blisters....
Well-manicured hands are part of a good grooming regimen. Cuticles can dry, crack and split, the result of harsh weather and drying dish soaps. Daily care with cuticle oil can help restore the delicate area of the cuticle back to health. Some...
Rashes change the way the skin looks and feels, with many causes. They can appear widespread throughout the body or localize to certain areas. When rashes affect the face, they usually have certain signs and symptoms. They may appear as scaly...
Hair follicles grow beneath the surface of the skin, traveling through the upper layer of the skin, called the epidermis, down through middle (dermis) layers into the subcutaneous (fatty) tissues that separate skin from muscle. Hair follicles...
Psoriasis is a condition that causes itchy and inflamed patches on the skin. Although there are medicated creams and lotions that help relieve itching and inflammation, some people prefer to use oats for relief. Oats can help stop the itching and...
Ketoderm (ketoconazole) is the Canadian brand name of a prescription-level drug that may be used in the treatment of yeast or fungal infections. These include a skin yeast infection called cutaneous candidiasis, athlete's foot, bodily or groin...
Children and babies are prone to developing rashes that appear as red bumps all over the body. Adults share many of the same symptoms caused by a wide range of irritants, infections and chronic skin disorders. The red bumps many remain small and...
About one in six Americans aged 14 to 49 have type 2 herpes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both type 1 and type 2 herpes cause sores to appear. Type 1 herpes generally causes sores to appear in the oral region, and...
Chlorine is a chemical element. Compounds containing chlorine keep bacteria from growing in pools and hot tubs. Despite its helpfulness in keeping pools clean and sanitary, exposure to chlorine poses some health risks. Low levels of skin exposure...
Itchy skin on the buttocks can be an embarrassing problem that most people would rather not discuss. Psoriasis, shingles and jock itch commonly affect the buttocks region. Although the itching from these conditions can often be relived from...
Razor bumps can be more than an unpleasant nuisance -- allowing them to go untreated can lead to scarring, and the bumps can get infected. Anyone who shaves can get razor bumps, but it mostly affects people with tightly curled hair. Up to 60...
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that affects 1.5 to 2.0 percent of the Western population, according to Fitzpatrick and colleagues' book on clinical dermatology. It occurs in equal frequency in men and women and tends to occur early in...
Rashes are a fairly common childhood occurrence because of the various new substances children come into contact with. Contact dermatitis is the clinical term denoting inflammation of the skin and is caused either due to an allergy to a chemical...
The skin surrounds the entire body, and according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it weighs approximately 6 pounds. The skin functions to regulate body temperature, in addition to providing water, fat and vitamin storage and sensory...
Psoriasis is a commonly occurring skin condition that causes characteristic patchy red and flaky skin lesions. The patchy areas resemble scales, and can be itchy or painful. Psoriasis usually runs in families and develops in younger individuals,...
The skin is the body's largest organ. It also is the first line of defense when safeguarding the body against external agents that can cause health complications. When something develops on the skin's surface, it often indicates an underlying...
An ingrown toenail develops when the nail grows into the flesh of the toe, causing pain, swelling and redness. In some cases, the ingrown toenail breaks through the skin and allows bacteria to enter the underlying tissues. The resulting infection...
Many women visit beauticians to receive regular bikini waxes, where a professional removes hair from the pubic region using warm wax. Waxing can lead to uncomfortable ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs are not serious, but they can be painful and...
