Lips may become dry, and in some cases cracked, under certain circumstances, such as exposure to cold, dry air. This condition is known as chapped lips. There are a number of known causes of chapped lips. Fortunately, a number of effective and...
Skin irritation on the face or elsewhere on the body can occur for many different reasons. Because many skin conditions and underlying diseases manifest with similar symptoms -- red and itchy skin, for example -- it is essential to seek a...
The skin around the eyes is delicate and thin, making inflammation and redness difficult to hide. There are a variety of medical conditions that can cause these frustrating symptoms. Because some are dangerous when left untreated, it is important...
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin condition that is caused by a virus. It is most common in children. The virus causes pimple-like bumps, or papules, to appear on the skin. These papules are usually painless, but can spread to other parts of the...
Lichen sclerosus is a skin disorder that occurs primarily in women. This condition causes little white spots to appear on various parts of the body often including the genitals. These can grow over time and result in bruising or skin split. You...
Chapped lips can lead to the skin on your lips cracking, bleeding and peeling. Everyone gets chapped lips at one time or another. Chapped lips can also indicate underlying illnesses or conditions that you may not know about, such as dehydration,...
After a long hike with your buddies, you notice your hands are covered in an itchy red rash. Without appropriate treatment, that rash is likely to get worse. Consult with an allergist to discover the cause of your mystery redness so you’re...
Your skin is a living coat, an active barrier that protects your body from potentially harmful germs and environmental chemicals. Immune system cells patrol your skin, ready to attack invaders and other foreign substances. Newspaper ink contains...
Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that's commonly called dandruff when it occurs on the scalp. While dandruff is not a serious condition and it's not painful, it can be embarrassing when the snowy white flakes show up in your hair and on...
If you shave your legs, you may develop red bumps on the surface of the skin. Razor bumps occur when the removed hair grows back into the follicle. The skin becomes inflamed and irritated as a part of your body's natural defense mechanism. If you...
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAI) reports that 27 percent of children with allergies have eczema, an irritating skin condition. Up to 24 percent of people in the United States will have acute hives at some point in...
An ingrown hair bump develops when a tweezed or shaved hair regrows into the hair follicle. Symptoms can include darkening of the skin, pus-filled bumps, pain and hairs embedded beneath the skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, they typically occur...
Seborrheic dermatitis may be unsightly, but it isn't a serious condition. People who develop it tend to have symptoms off and on for the rest of their lives. Because it looks unpleasant, sufferers may be embarrassed about having the condition....
Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the skin usually due to an allergic cause. The skin can be dry with redness, flaking and itchiness. Excessive scratching can oftent lead to scarring. It is a common condition,...
The facial skin disease called rosacea differs from acne in two ways, according to "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2010." First, comedones, or blackheads, commonly appear in acne but not in rosacea. Second, rosacea's flushed appearance...
Rashes are common skin eruptions that occur in children of all ages. Most rashes in children are benign, but there are some that require prompt medical attention. Rashes are described by their location, color, size, whether they are flat or raised...
There are many reasons for skin rashes to occur even though the skin itself is the first protective layer of the body. Skin is resistant to many irritants, but still at times reacts to certain parasites, viruses, fungi, heat and...
Stretch marks, or striae, on the buttocks can be embarrassing and difficult to hide---especially if wearing a swim suit. Although they can occur on anyone, MayoClinic.com explains that stretch marks occur more often in Caucasian women who have a...
Lichen planus is a common disease affecting the skin, nails, hair and mucosal membranes (mouth and genitalia). It can occasionally affect the anus, bladder and esophagus. It affects people between the ages of 30 and 70 and has an incidence of 0.5...
Ingrown hairs are medically referred to as pseudofolliculitis barbae. A hair becomes ingrown when one reenters, or penetrates, your skin. According to The Mayo Clinic, ingrown hairs most commonly afflict African Americans and Hispanics between the...
Burdock root is a type of extract used for the alternative treatment of skin ailments. According to the Planet Botanic website, the burdock plant was originally used by Europeans prior to the colonization of North America for skin health. Today,...
Anal itching, or pruritus ani, is a common condition that is typically worse at night. Accompanied by a strong urge to scratch the skin around the anus, this condition is caused by a variety of skin disorders, infections and an adverse environment...
The vulva is the external female genitalia and includes the labia, clitoris and the tissue surrounding the urethra and vaginal openings. Vulvar itching occurs when the delicate tissue is exposed to certain chemicals or bacteria, or in response to...
Infantile eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, can make your baby's skin red and itchy. Eczema often appears first in infants and reappears periodically throughout childhood and adulthood. It's not an allergic reaction per se, but it may be...
While eyelash pain is a symptom of several conditions such as eyelid infections, blocked oil glands or eyelash growth problems, most cases of eyelash pain can be attributed to a condition called blepharitis. Blepharitis, a chronic condition...
A rosea rash, also called pityriasis rosea, is a common, mild skin condition that causes the epidermis to become inflamed and scaly. While these rashes primarily affect older children and young adults, babies can also suffer from this health...
After using razors, some people break out, where the skin on the face or legs becomes irritated after shaving. In most cases, the friction of the razor on your skin is causing the breakout. A few razor users might be allergic to the coating of...
Conditions such as allergies, irritation, skin diseases and internal diseases can cause severely itchy skin. However, itchiness is most often associated with dryness, particularly if the itch covers your whole body or a large area of skin,...
Psoriasis is an immune system disorder that causes red and scaly patches on the skin. Psoriasis is not contagious; it is a mix-up in the signals that are sent from the immune system to the skin's cell growth cycles. According to the National...