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Skin conditions
Acne
Acne consists of spots and painful bumps on the skin and there are many myths around its causes. This article details the facts and how to treat acne.
Baby rash
Nappy rash and cradle cap are common in babies. They are usually easily treated and won’t cause long-term problems – here are some self-care tips.
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is an inflammation of the skin and the tissues directly beneath it. It often affects the lower leg, but can occur on any part of the body.
Cold sores
Cold sores are blister-like spots that appear in or around the mouth. Find out about prevention, common triggers, treatment and self-care options.
Contact dermatitis
Inflammation of the skin is commonly termed eczema or dermatitis. It can be effectively managed with treatment – find out how.
Erythema nodosum
Erythema nodosum is a skin condition consisting of a lumpy, red rash, usually on the lower legs. While harmless, it can be painful. Learn more here.
Hives
Hives is a skin rash that is often triggered by an infection or allergy. Learn to recognise symptoms.
Heat rash
Heat rash is harmless but very itchy, with small red spots in places where sweat collects. Find out more about this condition and how to treat it.
Itchy skin
Itchy skin is a common irritation that can be very frustrating. Understand the different types of itchy skin and how to ease the discomfort.
Keratosis pilaris
Keratosis pilaris consists of small, rough, white or reddish bumps or patches on the skin. Read about the causes, symptoms and treatment here.
Moles
Moles are small marks that appear on your skin - but they need to be watched. Here’s how to check for them, what to look for and when to see a doctor.
Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection caused by a virus. Learn more about its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Pityriasis rosea
Pityriasis rosea is a pink, scaly and inflamed skin rash. Cool baths can help soothe the skin; sunlight can help fade the rash. Learn more here.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition that can also affect the joints. While psoriasis can’t be fully cured, there are several self-care options.
Rosacea
Rosacea causes redness, flushing, and sometimes pimples and pustules, on the face. Find out about the condition's symptoms and treatments here.
Scabies
Scabies is caused by a tiny bug that burrows under the skin, causing intense itching and sometimes a rash. Here’s how to prevent spreading it.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Seborrhoeic dermatitis can occur on the scalp, face or torso or in areas that produce an oily substance known as sebum. Learn more about it here.
Shingles
Shingles is a painful rash caused by the chickenpox virus. Find out how to recognise the symptoms and what treatments are available.
Tinea
Tinea is a common, mostly mild skin condition caused by a fungal infection. This page describes the different types and how to prevent and treat it.
Warts and verrucas
Warts are small, harmless lumps of skin caused by the human papilloma virus. Learn here about treatments and how to avoid spreading warts.
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Top results
Skin biopsy to diagnose skin cancer
Skin biopsy is a common medical procedure in which a small section of skin is removed to test for melanoma, skin cancer or another skin condition.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Skin rashes | myVMC
A rash is defined as a change in the skin's appearance, which may involve alternations in texture (eg rough or smooth) and/or its colour. The skin may also become itchy, warmer, dry, cracked, blistered, lumpy or painful.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Parenting and Child Health - Health Topics - Rash under the chin and in other skin folds in babies - intertrigo
Intertrigo is a rash which occurs inside skin folds, where two surfaces of the skin press on or rub on each other, such as under the chin of a baby, under the armpit or in the nappy area
Read more on Women's and Children's Health Network website
Kids' Health - Topics - Skin problems - rashes
There are lots of different things that can make you break out in a rash
Read more on Women's and Children's Health Network website
Hives (urticaria) allergic rash information | myVMC
Hives or urticaria is a common allergic skin disorder characterised by raised red lumps on the skin (skin welts). They can be very itchy.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Skin care Managing incontinence Continence Foundation of Australia
Continence Foundation of Australia
Read more on Continence Foundation of Australia website
Eczema (allergic dermatitis) video | myVMC
Eczema is an allergic skin condition or dermatitis characterised by skin inflammation. It produces an itchy red rash. Currently there is no cure for eczema.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Skin
Find health conditions articles related to skin.
Read more on WA Health website
Your Skin
Your Skin The skin is the bodys largest organ and performs several important roles in protecting your health
Read more on Diabetes Australia website
Dry skin - myDr.com.au
Complications can develop when you have dry skin. Often this is linked to the fact that healthy skin acts like a natural barrier, whereas unhealthy skin including dry skin offers less
Read more on myDr website
Top results
Interventions for pityriasis rosea, skin rash of unknown cause | Cochrane
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Skin grafts to improve leg ulcer healing | Cochrane
Approximately 1% of people in industrialised countries have a leg ulcer at some time, mainly caused by poor blood flow back from the legs towards the heart. Skin grafts, either using the patient's own skin, artificial skin or donor skin/cells, have been evaluated to see whether they improve the healing of ulcers. The review of trials found evidence that tissue-engineered skin composed of two layers increases the chance of healing. There was not enough evidence to recommend any other type of graft, and further research is required.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Interventions for preventing of non-melanoma skin cancers in high-risk groups | Cochrane
Non-melanoma skin cancer is still the most common cancer in the UK, the United States and Australia. People at increased risk of getting non-melanoma skin cancer include those with lowered immunity, a history of non-melanoma skin cancer, rare inherited genetic skin disorders, trauma to the skin, exposure to arsenic, albinism or having had psoralen and ultraviolet A treatment. Very few studies have been conducted in people at increased risk of NMSC.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Antifungal treatments applied to the skin to treat seborrhoeic dermatitis | Cochrane
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition found throughout the world, with rashes with varying degrees of redness, scaling and itching. It affects people of both sexes but is more common among men. The disease usually starts after puberty and can lead to personal discomfort and cosmetic concerns when rashes occur at prominent skin sites. Drugs that act against moulds, also called antifungal agents, have been commonly used on their own or in combination.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Treatment for POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes) | Cochrane
Treatment for POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes)
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Surgical excision margins for primary cutaneous melanoma | Cochrane
Whilst melanoma accounts for only 5% of skin cancers, it is important because it is the cause of 75% of all skin cancer deaths.For primary cutaneous melanoma, standard treatment is complete surgical removal of the melanoma with a safety margin some distance from the visible edges of the primary tumour. The purpose of the safety margin is to remove both the primary tumour and any melanoma cells that might have spread into the surrounding skin. However, the optimal width of the safety (excision) margin remains unclear.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Lymph node biopsy followed by lymph node dissection for localised skin cancer | Cochrane
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Minocycline for acne vulgaris: efficacy and safety | Cochrane
Acne is the most common skin disease of adolescence, and in most cases it clears spontaneously. However, in some people it persists in to adulthood. There are many different treatment options, but there is little good evidence to inform doctors and individuals about which to choose.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Treatments for vitiligo | Cochrane
Vitiligo is a chronic skin disorder characterised by patchy loss of skin colour. Some people experience itching before the appearance of a new patch. It affects people of any age or ethnicity, more than half of whom develop it before the age of 20 years. There are two main types: generalised vitiligo, the common symmetrical form, and segmental, affecting only one side of the body. Recent genetic research suggests that generalised vitiligo is, at least in part, an autoimmune condition which destroys melanocytes (pigment cells). Although our understanding of vitiligo has increased, its causes are still poorly understood. Several treatments are available. Some can restore pigment but none can cure it or prevent its spread or recurrence. Vitiligo patches can have a major psychosocial impact, especially for people with dark or tanned skin or when the face or hands are affected. People with vitiligo can be stigmatised, often experiencing low self-esteem and a lack of self-confidence. Children with vitiligo may be teased and bullied at school. Despite this, we found only one study assessing psychological therapy for vitiligo.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Anti-TNF agents for paediatric psoriasis | Cochrane
Psoriasis is a long-term skin disease that may develop at any age. Estimates for the United States and Europe suggest that psoriasis accounts for 4% of skin diseases in children. In most cases, the condition is mild and can be treated with creams. However, a small percentage of children have moderate to severe disease that requires drugs, such as ciclosporin or methotrexate, and some will require injections with newer biological agents, such as anti-TNF (tumour necrosis factor) drugs. Anti-TNF drugs (among them etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab) are designed to reduce inflammation in the body caused by tumour necrosis factor.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
