Common skin conditions

A short guide to some of the most common skin conditions.

Atopic eczema

Atopic eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is the most common form of eczema and makes your skin itchy, red, dry and cracked.

It's a long-term condition in most people, although it can improve over time, especially in children, who often grow out of it.

It can affect any part of the body, but most commonly affects:

• the backs or fronts of the knees
• outside or inside the elbows
• around the neck, hands, cheeks or scalp

Treatment, which includes using moisturisers and steroid creams, can help relieve symptoms.

Find out more about atopic eczema and how to treat it

Cold sores

Cold sores are small blisters that develop on the lips or around the mouth, caused by the herpes simplex virus.

They often start with a tingling, itching or burning sensation around your mouth.

Small fluid-filled sores then appear, usually on the edges of your lower lip.

Cold sores usually clear up without treatment within 7 to 10 days, but antiviral creams are available from pharmacies.

These can help ease your symptoms and speed up the healing time.

Find out more about cold sores and how to treat them

Hives (urticaria)

Urticaria, also known as hives, weals, welts or nettle rash, is a raised, itchy rash.

It may appear on 1 part of the body or be spread across large areas.

In many cases, you do not need any treatment because the rash gets better within a few days.

If the itchiness is uncomfortable, antihistamines can help, which you can buy at a pharmacists.

See a GP if your symptoms do not go away within 48 hours.

Find out more about hives and how to treat it

Impetigo

Impetigo is a very contagious skin infection that causes sores and blisters.

There are 2 types:

• non-bullous impetigo – typically affects the nose and mouth
• bullous impetigo – typically affects the trunk

It's more common in children, but can affect anyone.

The infection is likely to clear up by itself within 3 weeks, but it's a good idea to see a GP for a diagnosis as the symptoms are similar to other, more serious conditions.

A GP can also prescribe antibiotic cream or tablets to get rid of it quickly.

Find out more about impetigo and how to treat and manage it

Itching 

Itching can affect any area of the body. Mild, shortlived itching is common, but it can sometimes be severe and frustrating to live with.

There are things you can do that may help, including:

• patting or tapping the itchy area, rather than scratching
• cooling the area with a cold compress, such as a damp flannel
• bathing or showering in cool or lukewarm water
• using unperfumed personal hygiene products
• avoiding clothes that irritate your skin, such as wool or man-made fabrics
• using a moisturiser if your skin is dry or flaky

Antihistamine and steroid cream may help relieve itching caused by certain skin conditions.

Find out more about itching and how to treat it

Psoriasis

Psoriasis typically causes flaky red patches of skin covered in silver scales.

The patches usually appear on the elbows, knees and the lower back, and can be itchy or sore.

For some people psoriasis is just a minor irritation, but for others it can have a major impact on their quality of life.

People with psoriasis usually have periods when they have no or mild symptoms, followed by periods when symptoms are more severe.

Most people are treated by a GP, but you may be referred to a skin specialist called a dermatologist if your psoriasis is severe.

Although there's no cure for psoriasis, treatments can improve your symptoms.

They include:

• creams and ointments
• treatment with light (phototherapy) 
• medicines taken by mouth or injection

Find out more about psoriasis and how to treat it

Ringworm

Ringworm is not a worm, but a contagious fungal infection that typically appears on the arms and legs, although it can appear almost anywhere on the body.

It causes a red or silvery scaly rash in the shape of a ring.

Anyone can get ringworm, but it's more common in children.

You can treat ringworm with antifungal creams, powders or tablets, which are available over the counter from a pharmacy.

You may need to see a GP if you're not sure it's ringworm, or if the infection does not clear up after using a pharmacy treatment for 2 weeks.

Find out more about ringworm and other fungal infections

Scabies

Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin.

The main symptoms are intense itching that gets worse at night, and a rash of tiny red spots.

See a GP if you think you have scabies. It's not usually serious, but treatment, normally a cream or lotion, is needed to kill the scabies mites.

Find out more about scabies and how to treat it

Vitiligo

Vitiligo causes pale white patches on the skin that vary in size and can occur anywhere.

They're more noticeable on areas that are exposed to sunlight, such as the face and hands, and on dark or tanned skin.

Vitiligo on the scalp can make your hair go white.

Vitiligo is a long-term condition. It's not contagious. You should see a GP to if you suspect vitiligo.

Treatment aims to improve your skin's appearance, and includes:

• disguising the patches with coloured creams
• steroid creams
• treatment with light (phototherapy)

Find out more about vitiligo and how to treat it

Warts and verrucas

Warts are small lumps that can appear anywhere, but usually affect the hands and feet.

A wart on the foot is called a verruca.

Most warts are harmless and clear up without treatment, but you might decide to treat your wart if it's painful, or if it's causing discomfort or embarrassment.

Treatments include:

• salicylic acid
• freezing the wart (cryotherapy)
• duct tape
• chemical treatments

Find out more about warts and verrucas and how to treat them

Page last reviewed: Mon Jul 2019 Next review due: Fri Jul 2022