Dermatitis (sometimes also called eczema) simply means inflammation of the skin, and so contact dermatitis is the name used when this inflammation is caused by direct or indirect contact of the skin with something in your environment that it reacts to. What causes contact dermatitis? There are two main types of contact dermatitis: Irritant contact dermatitis. This type develops when the skin comes into contact with things that irritate the skin, such as detergents or very hot water that strip the skin of its natural oils and so dry it out. If you have regular contact with these you can then get an irritant dermatitis. This means it’s common in people who put their hands in water a lot, such as nurses, hairdressers, and cleaners. This type of contact dermatitis is more likely to happen in people who have suffered from childhood eczema. Allergic contact dermatitis. This type occurs when you develop an allergy to a specific substance that’s been in contact with your skin. Common examples of these include hair dye, cosmetics, and perfumes. It’s unclear why some people who are exposed to these develop dermatitis while others don’t but unlike irritant dermatitis, contact dermatitis doesn’t seem to be more likely in people who had eczema when young. What are the symptoms of contact dermatitis? The commonest symptom is itching of the skin, and this can be very intense and to a level where you can’t stop scratching it. The skin can also become sore and red, with blisters developing that can weep. In contact dermatitis of the hands, there may be painful cracking of the skin that can make it difficult to use your hands normally. The hands are the commonest area where contact dermatitis occurs, followed by the arms, neck and face.

Chickenpox is a virus caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is common among children but anyone can catch it at any age, but you can only catch it once. When adults get it, the symptoms are usually worse. Chickenpox spreads in the same way as those responsible for colds, flu and other infectious diseases. The virus is contained within droplets of mucus and saliva which are released into the air via coughing or sneezing. These droplets also fall onto objects and surfaces which, when touched, enable the virus to be easily transferred to another person. You only need to be in the same space with an infected person for a short period of time for this virus to spread to you. It's a very contagious infection - about 90% of people who have not previously had chickenpox will become infected when they come into contact with the virus. There is an incubation period of 7 to 21 days before the symptoms of chickenpox make themselves known. Chickenpox can be caught off someone with shingles but not vice versa.

Chapped lips, also known as cheilitis simplex, is very common and occurs when the skin on your lips becomes too dry. This happens because your lips have fewer layers of skin than other parts of your body so they dry out more rapidly when exposed to different conditions such as hot or cold environments or being dehydrated. It results in dry-looking lips that can become flaky, cracked and can bleed. Chapped lips are not contagious. However, if you have flaking lips due to a cold sore then this can be contagious.

Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection that affects many people worldwide. Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection that affects many people worldwide. It occurs when bacteria invade the skin and underlying tissues, leading to inflammation and discomfort. This infection typically starts in the lower layers of the skin and can spread rapidly if not treated promptly.  Cellulitis is important to understand because it can significantly impact daily life by causing pain, swelling, and other distressing symptoms. For some individuals, especially those with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions, cellulitis can lead to more serious complications. Cellulitis occurrence shows us the need for awareness and education. This infection can affect individuals of all ages, from young children to the elderly. It often starts from minor injuries or skin conditions but can escalate if not properly addressed. By understanding cellulitis, its causes, symptoms, and treatments, individuals can take proactive steps to prevent and manage the infection, ensuring better health o This problem can affect almost any part of the body but it occurs most commonly in areas that have been damaged or inflamed. Anyone, at any age, can develop cellulitis but you are at increased risk of developing it if you smoke, have lowered immunity, or have diabetes or poor circulation.

Candidal balanitis is a common condition in men that causes the head of the penis to become inflamed. It is caused by candida, a very common yeast that can be found on our bodies. Typically it doesn’t cause any problems because it’s a very small amount however given the right setting, the yeast can multiply rapidly leading to an infection known as candidiasis (thrush). In men, it can affect the penis and foreskin, causing candidal balanitis. About 1 in 25 men will develop candidal balanitis at some point in their life.

It’s really common for babies to suffer from dry skin and eczema, and can first emerge before or around 6 months. It affects about a quarter of children and up to 60% of people with eczema develop it during their first year of life. The exact cause of eczema is unknown but genetics are thought to play a big role so it’s more common if someone in your family has eczema, allergies, or asthma, or if they have light skin and hair. It may also be triggered by environmental factors such as central heating, hard water and the use of soaps. The good news is that even though children may develop eczema in childhood, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will have it forever as many of them grow out of it by 5-6 years old. And - with the right attention to triggers, moisturising routine and recognising flare-ups - it can be treated more quickly.

A cold sore is a small blister on the face that is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The blister pops and then gets a crust over it. Some people experience tingling or burning before the blister appears and it can be painful. They are very common, with around 1 in 5 people suffering from repeated cold sores. They usually heal by themselves between seven and 10 days. Most people are infected with the virus when they are young, but they may not get a cold sore until many years later. Once infected, the virus stays within you and can be reactivated and cause other cold sores at future points. This is usually around times of stress, tiredness, menstruation, illness or some people find the sun can cause outbreaks. Genital herpes and cold sores are caused by the same virus, although there are two different strains (HSV1 and HSV2). It's not really important which one is causing trouble, as treatment is based on symptoms. If you have symptoms in your genital area, see your doctor or a sexual health doctor to discuss this.

Actinic keratoses (or solar keratoses) are small red flakey marks on your skin in response to long-term sun damage. They appear many years after sun exposure on sun-exposed areas such as the top of forehead or crown of the head, tops of ears, forearms, hands and lower legs, and so are more common in older people. They feel like rough patches like sandpaper, and yellow or orange scales can appear that resemble tiny cornflakes. The surrounding skin may be pink or red, and there might other evidence of sun damage such as deep wrinkles, large freckles or brown blotches. They don't usually cause any symptoms beyond a mild itch or soreness, but some people feel self-conscious that they look unsightly.

Acne vulgaris, also known as pimples, acne, spots or zits, is very common, usually starting in the teenage years and continuing up to the age of 30. About 80% of teenagers suffer some degree of acne. Mild untreated acne typically takes several years to settle but severe acne can scar the skin for life if untreated. It coincides with the hormonal changes of puberty, and women may suffer into adulthood with hormonal changes in their menstrual cycle. Hormones affect the amount of oil (sebum) produced by glands next to hair follicles so the skin becomes very greasy, and these follicles then become blocked and inflamed. Acne can cause blackheads, whiteheads or pustules, or more inflamed lesions including red and sore cysts and larger nodules, which are more likely to cause long-term scarring. Acne usually affects the face - the T-zone is typical in teenagers (forehead, nose and chin), or the muzzle distribution in early adulthood, which includes the upper lip, chin, jawline and neck. However it can also affect the back and chest.

Dandruff is caused by dead skin cells falling off your scalp which can be seen as white-grey flakes on your scalp, in your hair and sometimes on your clothes. It can also cause symptoms of an itchy scalp. It is very common and not linked to hair cleanliness although more flakes may build up with the less you wash your hair. Dandruff is a type of seborrhoeic dermatitis that also causes a red, greasy, flakey rash over the nose and cheeks. In the majority of cases, dandruff can be treated at home. Extreme weather conditions, such as when hot, cold or dry may cause dandruff, and stress can worsen the condition in some people. Dandruff is not contagious.

Dry skin – sometimes called xerosis by doctors - is a condition (not necessarily a disease) where the skin is red, scaly and itchy. The problem is usually worse in autumn and winter, and dry skin is most common on the face, hands, arms and legs. As we age, dry skin becomes more likely. It is not a serious problem usually, but can be uncomfortable and unsightly. Ageing, living in dry, cold or low-humidity climates and bathing or showering frequently make it more likely to occur. It affects both sexes, and is more common in Caucasian skin than those whose skin has a higher oil content, such as with Afro-Caribbean or Mediterranean skin. Dry skin can be intensely itchy. It feels rough and flakes easily. Cracks and redness can form in more severe cases. Children can be particularly at risk, and this may take the form of eczema - where inflammation of the uppermost layer of skin causes dryness, and this is most likely to appear on the insides of elbows or the backs of knees. Eczema may run in families or run alongside asthma or hay fever. Dry skin is a variant of normal skin and is not contagious

Folliculitis is a common condition, where one or several hair follicles become inflamed, presenting as painful red raised bumps that may have a white head (pustule). As you might expect, these occur in hairy areas, such as the scalp, beard, chest, back, buttocks and genital area. They can be deep or superficial.