A bruise (also known by its medical name ecchymosis happens when there is some bleeding under the skin. Most of the time, a bruise is nothing to worry about. They tend to occur when there is some damage to blood vessels in an area of tissue, and this occurs typically from accidents like bumping your arm or leg or getting hit while playing sports.

A blister occurs when fluid collects in a pocket between two of the upper layers of the skin. It's very common and most often a result of friction such as shoes rubbing on the skin of your heel. The fluid that fills a blister is serum, the liquid part of blood. There can be other causes for blisters, such as a burn, abrasive substances, and sometimes viruses or medical conditions can cause blistering. Blisters should go away within seven days and the majority can be treated at home. Blisters caused by friction or heat or toxic substances are not contagious. Blisters caused by some viral infections (such as impetigo, herpes, shingles and chickenpox) can be contagious. Blisters on the feet are the most common type of blister and there are a number of reasons why these typically form: Poorly fitting shoes that rub your feet Wearing high heels that put pressure onto one part of the foot Wearing shoes with no socks, or wearing socks that are too large and have wrinkles in them Having hot or sweaty feet

Maskne is a new phenomenon coined in the COVID-19 pandemic to describe the acne experienced around the nose, upper lip, and chin area in a response to regularly wearing a mask. Mask-provoked acne is new to the general public but has long been experienced by medical and construction workers. The causes of these pimples, or whiteheads, are two-fold. First, the physical barrier that masks provide causes pores to become blocked with the dead skin cells we shed all the time, so-called acne mechanica. A bacteria associated with acne, called P. acnes, causes inflammation in blocked pores and sebaceous (oil-forming) glands. In addition to the physical friction, masks provide a warm, moist environment for P. acnes to grow and multiply, thus further inflaming the spots and even causing deep spots called cysts. As mask-wearing has become an important component of avoiding the virus in the current pandemic and essential in certain aspects of life, including in shops, public transport, and some workplaces and schools, maskne is a fact of life many of us need to adjust to. Simple measures can reduce physical irritation. If you want to wear a single-use mask, choose one with a structure that lifts away from the mouth and nose and seals around the edges. These look a bit like beaks. Choosing silk over other materials for reusable masks may cause less friction and irritation and be more breathable while still offering protection. You should make sure you wash these regularly. Regular and gentle cleansing can help to reduce skin congestion and clogged pores. Wearing make-up that claims to be non-comedogenic (non-spot-forming) and looking for chemical exfoliants in creams and serums, such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid, will all help to keep spots at bay. You can also buy targeted spot treatments from your pharmacist to help with individual blemishes.

COVID-19 is a virus that can affect all systems, and while most think first of it as threatening our breathing, it can also present a considerable burden to the skin. Doctors have seen increased numbers of skin rashes and irritations, and there’s anecdotal evidence that it can impair wound healing. For 1 in 5 with COVID-19, a skin sign is the only symptom they have. COVID-19 skin signs fall into two categories – common conditions that have become much more common, such as urticaria, and rare conditions that have increased, such as those affecting the toes or mouth. It’s not clear if the virus causes these changes directly or via the immune response it provokes, but nearly half appear at the time of infection – about a third appear after infection. It’s worth noting that it’s common to get a rash after any mild viral illness, such as a cold.

Pins and needles are an odd sensation that feels like tingling or numbness on the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body but commonly occurs on the arms, legs, hands, and feet. Pins and needles are often a short-lived thing that happens when the blood supply to the nerve is stopped temporarily, for example, when you lie or sleep on a body part for a long time. Occasionally, there are also medical problems that can cause pins and needles. We will explain some of the varied causes below.

If you have dark brown or black lumps, tiny in size and multiple in number, sitting on the cheekbones and under the eyes, it’s likely you have dermatosis papulosa nigra. Despite the grand title, these are completely harmless. These usually feel smooth and soft and are each only 1 to 5 mm wide, and you may have a few or many, of differing sizes. They appear from the teenage years onwards and don't usually cause any symptoms, but some find them unsightly, especially with their prominence on the face.