12 Skin Conditions You Should Know About

Pityriasis Rosea

The first sign of pityriasis rosea is a large round or oval patch called a herald patch, followed by the appearance of multiple oval patches or bumps on the back, chest, and belly, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). “Pityriasis rosea is called the ‘Christmas tree rash’ because of the distribution of the skin lesions that appear on the skin — the red scaly patches can appear like sloping branches on the back,” Anthony says.

The cause of this skin condition is not clear, but it may be due to a virus or bacteria. “There are outbreaks at certain times of the year, and it acts like a virus would act,” Weinberg adds.

Treatments include anti-itch creams, antihistamines, and steroid creams or ointments, as well as UVB phototherapy for severe cases that do not respond to topical treatments, notes the AAD. For most, the rash disappears within eight weeks, though it can sometimes linger for five or so months.

Actinic Keratosis

Actinic keratosis is a type of precancerous skin change related to sun exposure, according to the AAD. Weinberg says that actinic keratosis is one of the most common reasons people see a dermatologist. Actinic keratosis lesions are flat, scaly, and sometimes rough and appear on places frequently exposed to the sun, and especially in the head and neck, including the face, lips, ears, and scalp.

Light-skinned people age 50 or older and those who’ve spent a lot of time outdoors without protecting the skin are more prone to getting actinic keratoses. “Your risk of getting actinic keratoses increases when having fair skin and not wearing hats or sunblock,” Davis says.

Per the Mayo Clinic, the most common treatment includes freezing the lesions (cryotherapy) or applying a topical prescription product.

Jock Itch

Alamy

Jock itch is in the same family as ringworm and athlete’s foot, known as tinea, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. It presents as red, flaky skin that generally appears in moist areas of the body, like the groin, inner thighs, and buttocks. “This is usually more common in adults than kids, which occurs when there is moisture in a warm fold of skin, for example, between the inner thighs and the scrotum,” Davis says. Your risk for this itch-causing condition increases with prolonged exposure to warm, moist environments. Experts recommend removing wet clothes and trying to keep these skin areas as dry as possible.

If left untreated, it may take weeks or months to go away, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Davis says to choose an over-the-counter antifungal treatment, such as Lotrimin Ultra Extra Strength Jock Itch Treatment Cream, to treat jock itch. Also, be sure “to change underwear each day and try to wear boxers rather than briefs,” Davis says.

Tinea Versicolor

People with oily skin, like teenagers or those who live in tropical locations, are a bit more prone to tinea versicolor, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Weinberg describes tinea versicolor as a fungal infection with a superficial yeast that lives on the skin. 

Symptoms of tinea versicolor appear as scattered patches of discolored skin (with varying appearance in different skin tones) on the back, neck, chest, shoulders, armpits, and upper arms, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Itchiness is also common, especially when sweating or with increased temperatures.

Pregnant women often develop tinea versicolor, Weinberg says. Those with compromised immune systems or people who take corticosteroids, have had an organ transplant, or diabetes are more susceptible to developing the condition, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Treatment includes topical antifungal medication and washes and sometimes prescription oral antifungals if the topical treatments don’t work, according to the AAD.

Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris (PRP)

Pityriasis rubra pilaris is a group of skin conditions that result in red, scaly patches of skin everywhere on the body or in certain areas, most commonly the elbows, knees, ankles, hands, and feet, according to the Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center. The causes are unknown, though it does seem to be related to certain genetic components and environmental factors.

Weinberg says pityriasis rubra pilaris looks like psoriasis, but is very rare. Thickened skin on the hands or feet is a common symptom, notes GARD. “It’s annoying, and it can be chronic and difficult to treat,” says Weinberg. Most people will need oral retinoids like isotretinoin (Accutane) or acitretin (Soriatane), or drugs such as methotrexate if the retinoid treatment doesn’t work.

Cellulitis

While cellulitis starts as a superficial infection of the skin — sometimes due to a tiny break in the skin that allows in bacteria — it can become a serious issue if the bacteria enter the bloodstream, according to the CDC. It could also be caused by bacteria entering broken skin caused by eczema, Anthony says. Cellulitis can appear anywhere on the body and can be associated with athlete’s foot, Weinberg says.

According to the CDC, cellulitis appears as an area of skin — usually the feet and legs — that becomes red, warm, and tender and may have the texture of an orange peel; it may also cause a fever and chills.

According to the CDC, people who are overweight and those who have problems with their lymphatic system are more likely to get cellulitis. “People with compromised immune systems, including diabetes, are more at risk as well,” Anthony says.

For mild cases, treatment involves oral antibiotics, while more serious cases may require an intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment at the hospital, according to the Mayo Clinic. Keeping the infected area elevated can also speed recovery.