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 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 seborrheic 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.

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 most common area where contact dermatitis occurs, followed by the arms, neck and face.

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 many people suffering from repeated cold sores. They usually heal by themselves between 7 and 10 days. Most people are infected with the virus when they are young but 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.

Chapped lips, also known as cheilitis simplex, are very common and occur 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, this can be contagious.

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. 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. 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 very common for babies to suffer from dry skin and eczema, and it can first emerge before or around 6 months. It affects about a quarter of children with up to 60% of them developing it during their first year of life. The exact cause of eczema is unknown but genetics are thought to play a major 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, moisturizing routine and recognition of flare-ups - it can be treated more effectively.

Angular cheilitis is a condition that mainly affects the corners of the mouth rather than the rest of the lips. The main symptoms include swelling and redness, blistering, and crusting or cracking in the corners of the mouth. It may be painful and can be caused by a number of factors. Some forms of angular cheilitis may be caused by sweat and saliva build-up. This causes changes in pH on the skin and can lead to a fungal infection in the corners of the mouth. There can also be bacterial or viral infection present. It is usually bilateral and symmetrical, although occasionally it may affect one side of the mouth only and may sometimes spread to cause impetigo or oral thrush.

Actinic keratoses (or solar keratoses) are small red, flaky 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 the forehead or crown of the head, tops of ears, forearms, hands, and lower legs. They feel like rough patches or sandpaper, and yellow or orange scales can appear that resemble tiny cornflakes. The surrounding skin may be pink or red, and there might be 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 – 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 or chest.

Milia is a condition described as tiny pearly-white bumps on the skin under the eyes. These are little cysts (or sacks) containing a hard semi-solid protein called keratin. There may be one, two, or a few, and they usually cause no symptoms except that people become self-conscious about their appearance. They are entirely harmless, they need no treatment, and most disappear within a few months (although new ones may form in time). What causes milia? In adults, these may form in response to recent sunburn or from skin damage, such as from burns or unusual skin conditions. They appear in up to half of newborn babies, appearing around the eyes, nose, and across the cheeks and clearing up a short while later.

This is a rash where the skin becomes inflamed, appearing on greasy areas with lots of sebaceous glands - on the cheeks, between eyebrows, the folds next to the nose and the chin, and also on the chest or scalp. Red, greasy, scaly, or flaky patches are common, and little red bumps known as papules may appear. It can cause a mild itch, but the appearance prompts most sufferers to seek treatment. It is considered a type of eczema but can also overlap with psoriasis and rosacea. Stress, tiredness, and cold weather can prompt flare-ups in those susceptible. An overgrowth of a usually harmless yeast (scientific name: Malassezia) is thought to be part of the cause, so treatment focuses on eradicating this and reducing inflammation using a combined antifungal and mild steroid cream.