10 common skin diseases (with photos)

Skin diseases can be itching, unsightly and irritating

Some skin diseases are minor. Others cause severe symptoms, and can be life-threatening.

So. Here are 10 common skin diseases (with photos)

1. Acne

Blocked skin follicles that lead to oil, bacteria and dead skin build-up in your pores

Acne

2. Alopecia areata

Losing your hair in small patches

Alopecia

3. Atopic dermatitis (eczema)

Dry, itchy skin that leads to swelling, cracking or scaliness. It often affects the inside of the elbow, back of knees, and hands

Eczema

4. Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection in the deeper layers of the skin. It develops quickly and can spread rapidly throughout the body (causing sepsis). The affected skin may be red, swollen, hot, and painful or tender. It is most common in the legs but can occur anywhere in the body. Severe cellulitis may be life threatening; and treatment includes antibiotics, that may need to be intravenous in hospital

Cellulitis

5. Fungal infections

Tinea Pedis

Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis) – leads to itching, redness, and cracked skin on the feet and in between the toes. This fungus is found in warm, moist areas like swimming pools and changing rooms

Tinea Manuum

6. Psoriasis

Scaly skin that may swell or feel hot

Psoriasis

7. Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

This is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus). If you have had chickenpox, you are at risk for shingles as the chickenpox virus lies dormant (not active) in your nervous system for years

Can affect the body (one sided)

Or the face (one-sided as well)

8. Skin cancer

Uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. There are various types including basal cell carcinoma (BCC; less serious), melanoma (more serious) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; variable). Most skin cancers are linked to sunlight exposure, so are often on the face. But they can be anywhere

BCC – often on nose

BCC – or near eye

Melanoma

Early stage melanoma

SCC – often on face

SCC – can be on ears

9. Sunburn

Occurs when there is too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or sunlamps. The skin turns red, painful, hot to the touch, and may even peel away

Sunburn

10. Warts and verrucas

Typical warts

Typical verrucas

Other diseases

Dactylitis (that King Charles may have)

Possible dactylitis

Raynaud’s phenomenon – periodic reduced blood flow to your fingers, toes or other body parts, causing numbness or skin colour change

Raynaud’s phenomenon

Rosacea – flushed, thick skin and pimples, usually on the face. Related to acne

Rosacea

Vitiligo – patches of skin that lose pigment

Vitiligo

Urticaria (‘hives’)

Urticaria

Urticaria includes familiar welts (raised, red, itchy areas) that can occur on the skin. Common causes of hives include medication, food, and bug bites or stings

Summary

We have described 10 common skin diseases (with photos). We hope you have found it helpful

Last Reviewed on 8 March 2024