These pesky brown or gray spots known as solar lentigines aren’t really caused by aging, though they do become more common as you get older. You get them from exposure to sunlight, which is why they tend to appear on your face, hands, and arms.
Alopecia is a condition that causes a person’s hair to fall out. It is an autoimmune disease; that is, the person’s immune system attacks their own body. In this case, their hair follicles. When this happens, the person’s hair begins to fall out, often in clumps the size and shape of a quarter. The extent of the hair loss varies; in some cases, it is only in a few spots. In others, the hair loss can be greater. There is no cure for alopecia. But hair often re-grows on its own and treatments such as steroids, oral and topical medications can help the hair re-grow more quickly. See our treatment options here.
A boil (abscess) is a skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland. At first, the skin turns red in the area of the infection, and a tender lump develops. After four to seven days, the lump starts turning white as pus collects under the skin. The most common places for boils to appear are on the face, neck, armpits, shoulders, and buttocks. When one forms on the eyelid, it is called a sty (chalazion). If several boils appear in a group, this is a more serious type of infection called a carbuncle.
The herpes simplex virus causes small, painful, fluid-filled blisters on your mouth or nose. Cold sores last about 10 days and easily spread from person to person. Triggers include fever, too much sun, stress, and hormonal changes like periods. You can treat cold sores with antiviral pills or creams.
Dandruff or Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that it is characterized by a red and scaly, flaky scalp. It occurs most commonly in infants, middle-aged adults and seniors, particularly in those who have oily skin or hair. Seborrheic dermatitis also occurs in some patients with diseases of the immune or nervous systems. While there is no cure for this chronic condition, seborrheic dermatitis can usually be controlled by medicated shampoos or topical creams. If your dermatologist makes a diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis, he or she may recommend that you try these treatment options to treat the symptoms that accompany the disorder.
Eczema is a blanket term for several non-contagious conditions that cause inflamed, red, dry, and itchy skin. Doctors aren’t sure what makes eczema start in the first place, but they do know that stress, irritants (like soaps), allergens, and climate can trigger flares. In adults, it often appears on the elbows, hands, and in skin folds. Several medications treat eczema. Some are spread over the skin, and others are taken by mouth or as a shot. There is no cure for eczema, but, in most cases, it is manageable through treatments like oral medications, steroid creams and light therapy.