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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions treated by doctors, as well as being one of the most troublesome. There are several types of eczema, the most common being known as atopic eczema, where the affected person is born with a tendency for the skin to become inflamed or eczematous. It tends to be an ongoing, recurring condition, usually starting in childhood, with most children finding their eczema improving as they become older. There is no clear-cut answer as to why eczema develops but it is widely acknowledged that environmental factors, genetics and the body’s immune system all play a part. There is a strong link between the skin condition and allergies, with most eczema patients having a personal or family history of another atopic illness such as asthma or hay fever. If there is no such history of allergy, then stress, infections and injuries to the skin are probably more important. You can’t catch eczema and it does not spread from one person to another. Symptoms sometimes flare up for no obvious reason but certain triggers can set off eczema including chemicals and detergents, pollen, infection, dry skin, stress, and changes in hormone levels - eczema can be worse in women before their monthly period.

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.

Fungal infection of the scalp usually affects children under 10 years old, although more rarely, it may affect older children and adults. The medical terms are tinea capitis, where the scalp is infected, and tinea barbae, where the beard or mustache are infected. It can cause itching and patchy hair loss, with ring-shaped areas of redness and flakiness. Yellow crusts may form if left untreated, and this may cause hair to become matted. Hair loss is usually temporary until it's treated, but the appearance can cause distress, and the scalp can feel very itchy and a bit sore, if left untreated.