Skin Conditions & Treatments

Rash

Red, inflamed skin area or group of red spots. Causes include irritation, allergy, infection, or skin defects. Symptoms: red patches, spots, possible swelling or itching

Rash – Treatment

Antihistamines – reduce allergic reaction/itching

Topical corticosteroids – reduce inflammation

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Chronic inflammatory skin condition with red bumps that may become scaly or thickened, blistering, oozing, and itching

Eczema – Treatment

Topical immunomodulators – reduce inflammation and immune response

Psoriasis

Non-contagious chronic immune disorder causing rapid skin cell buildup from overactive immune cells releasing cytokines. Symptoms: painful, scaly plaques, redness

Psoriasis – Treatment

Topical steroids – reduce inflammation

Oral antibiotics – for secondary infections

Immunosuppressants – slow immune response

Hyperkeratosis

Thickening/hardening of skin from excess keratin (e.g., calluses, corns, warts)

Hyperkeratosis – Treatment

Keratolytic agents – soften/remove hardened skin

Rosacea

Chronic skin disorder causing redness, pimples, lesions (face)

Rosacea – Treatment

Topical antibiotics – reduce inflammation/bacteria

Oral antibiotics – for severe cases

Spider Veins

Enlarged/broken blood vessels visible under skin

Spider Veins – Treatment

Laser therapy or sclerotherapy – seal/remove vessels

Acne

Caused by Propionibacterium acnes, excess sebum, clogged follicles. Non-inflammatory: whiteheads, blackheads. Inflammatory: papules, nodules, cysts

Acne – Treatment

Topical antiseptics (benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid)

Antibiotics for severe cases

Cellulitis

Acute infection of deep connective tissue, usually from Staph or Strep

Cellulitis – Treatment

Oral or IV antibiotics

Impetigo

Highly contagious infection in children, causing red sores with honey-colored crust

Impetigo – Treatment

Topical/oral antibiotics

Folliculitis

Infection of hair follicles

Folliculitis – Treatment

Antibacterial washes

Topical/oral antibiotics

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)

a common viral infection that causes painful blisters or sores, most notably on the mouth or genitals. is highly contagious and can be transmitted through direct skin or mucous membrane contact

HSV-1

oral cold sores

HSV-2

genital herpes

Herpes Simplex Virus – Treatment

no cure, antiviral medications can help manage

G: Acyclovir – Antiviral: inhibits viral DNA replication (B: Zovirax)

G: Valacyclovir – Antiviral: inhibits viral DNA replication (B: Valtrex)

Warts (HPV)

Rough skin growths caused by human papillomavirus; virus contagious

Warts – Treatment

Salicylic acid

Cryotherapy

Laser removal

Shingles (Varicella Zoster)

Painful rash/blisters from reactivation of chickenpox virus

Shingles – Treatment

Antivirals + pain relief

Athlete’s Foot

Itching, peeling between toes from fungal infection

Athlete’s Foot – Treatment

G: Clotrimazole – Antifungal: damages fungal cell membranes (B: Lotrimin)

G: Terbinafine – Antifungal: inhibits fungal cell wall synthesis (B: Lamisil)

Jock Itch

Redness, itching in groin area from fungal infection

Jock Itch – Treatment

Antifungal powders/creams

Ringworm

Ring-shaped red, scaly patches from fungal infection

Ringworm – Treatment

Topical antifungals + hygiene measures

Hives (Urticaria)

(Fungal) Elevated red bumps; itching, burning, stinging. Causes: allergens, infections

Hives – Treatment

Hydrocortisone

Antihistamines

Lice

Itching, sores from insect feeding (parasitic)

Scabies

Mites burrow into skin, causing intense itching and rash (parasitic)

Scabies – Treatment

Prescription topical antiparasitic agents (permethrin, ivermectin)

Skin Tumors & Cancers

Abnormal skin cell growth, benign or malignant, often from sun exposure/genetics

Skin Tumors & Cancers – Treatment

Topical chemotherapeutic agents (5-fluorouracil)

Immunomodulators

NSAIDs (for actinic keratosis)

Basal Cell Carcinoma

This cancer typically appears as a white waxy lump or a brown scaly patch on sun-exposed areas, Starts in epidermis (face/scalp); highly curable

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

type of skin cancer that develops from squamous cells, which are flat, scale-like cells that form the Outer epidermis (hands, ears, lips); faster growing, can spread

Melanoma

Melanoma occurs when the pigment-producing cells that give color to the skin become cancerous. Symptoms might include a new, unusual growth or a change in an existing mole. From melanocytes; most dangerous, high spread potential

Hypopigmentation

↓ melanin (vitiligo) : condition that causes lighter areas of skin due to a loss of pigment. It can appear as white spots or lighter patches on the body and face

Hyperpigmentation

↑ melanin (freckles, age spots) : darkening of skin patches, is primarily caused by an increase in melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color

Wrinkles

Loss of collagen/elastin, ↓ fat/sebum; thinner, sagging skin

Sunburn

UV damage; pain, redness, possible blistering

Decubitus Ulcers (Pressure Sores)

Stages I–IV from prolonged pressure/friction in immobile patients. Risks: hips, buttocks; elderly/malnourished at higher risk

Decubitus Ulcers – Treatment

Relieve pressure

Wound care

Antibiotics if infected