Health & Wellness

Common Skin Conditions

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Source:Community curated
Updated:4/9/2026
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Condition
Type
Prevalence
Typical Location
Primary Treatment
Known For
Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
Inflammatory~10-20% of children, ~3% of adultsElbow/knee creases, face, handsMoisturizers, topical steroids, dupilumabItchy chronic rash, linked to allergies and asthma (atopic triad), often starts in childhood
Psoriasis
Autoimmune~2-3% of adults globallyElbows, knees, scalp, lower backTopicals, light therapy, biologics (anti-TNF, IL-17, IL-23)Silvery scaly plaques, chronic autoimmune disease, linked to arthritis and cardiovascular risk
Rosacea
Chronic inflammatory~5% of adults, more in fair-skinnedCentral face (cheeks, nose, forehead)Topical metronidazole/ivermectin, oral doxycycline, laserPersistent facial redness with flushing, famous W.C. Fields bulbous nose (rhinophyma) in severe cases
Acne Vulgaris
Follicular/inflammatory~85% of teenagersFace, chest, backBenzoyl peroxide, retinoids, antibiotics, isotretinoinMost common skin condition, caused by sebum, Cutibacterium acnes bacteria, and clogged pores
Vitiligo
Autoimmune pigment loss~1% worldwideHands, face, body folds, anywhereTopical steroids/tacrolimus, light therapy, JAK inhibitors (ruxolitinib)White patches from destroyed melanocytes, famously seen on Michael Jackson
Melasma
Pigment disorderCommon in pregnant women and darker skin typesCheeks, forehead, upper lipSunscreen, hydroquinone, tranexamic acid, chemical peelsMask of pregnancy, triggered by hormones and sun, notoriously hard to treat permanently
Contact Dermatitis
Allergic or irritantExtremely commonSite of contactAvoid trigger, topical steroidsNickel allergy most common allergic cause, poison ivy classic plant trigger
Hives (Urticaria)
Allergic/inflammatory~20% lifetimeAnywhereAntihistamines, omalizumab for chronic casesWheals that appear and disappear within 24 hours, intensely itchy, can be acute or chronic
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Inflammatory/yeast~5% of adultsScalp, eyebrows, nasolabial folds, chestAntifungal shampoos (ketoconazole), topical steroidsDandruff is a mild form, linked to Malassezia yeast, worsens with stress
Tinea (Ringworm)
Fungal infectionVery commonBody, scalp, feet, groin, nailsTopical or oral antifungalsNot a worm - a dermatophyte fungus, classic ring-shaped rash, includes athlete's foot and jock itch
Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Viral reactivation~1 in 3 lifetime riskUnilateral dermatome (one side of body)Antivirals (valacyclovir), pain meds, Shingrix vaccineReactivation of chickenpox virus, painful dermatomal blisters, post-herpetic neuralgia complication
Warts (Verruca)
Viral (HPV)Very commonHands, feet, genitalsSalicylic acid, cryotherapy, immunotherapyHPV infection, often resolves on its own, plantar warts on soles are painful
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Chronic inflammatory~1-4% of adultsArmpits, groin, under breastsAntibiotics, biologics (adalimumab), surgeryPainful recurrent abscesses and tunnels, extremely under-diagnosed, devastating quality of life
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Skin cancer (non-melanoma)Most common cancer in the USSun-exposed areas, faceExcision, Mohs surgery, topicalsPearly papule with telangiectasias, slow-growing, rarely metastasizes but locally destructive
Melanoma
Skin cancer (pigment cells)~325,000 new cases/year globallyAnywhere with melanocytesExcision, immunotherapy (pembrolizumab, nivolumab)Deadliest skin cancer, ABCDE rule for moles, huge breakthroughs in immunotherapy survival
Alopecia Areata
Autoimmune hair loss~2% lifetime riskScalp, beard, bodySteroids, JAK inhibitors (baricitinib)Round patches of hair loss, can progress to total loss (alopecia universalis), Jada Pinkett Smith

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