Shingles is a reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox. It causes a painful, blistering rash on one side of the body or face, usually in a stripe along a nerve (a “dermatome”). It’s more common with age and…

Chickenpox is a very contagious viral illness that causes an itchy, blister-like rash, fever, and tiredness. It’s usually mild in healthy children but can be serious in babies, adults, pregnant people, and those with weak immune systems. Vaccination has made…

Skin tags (acrochordons) Small, soft, skin-colored flaps on the neck, armpits, eyelids, and groin. Harmless and very common, especially with age, friction, pregnancy, and in people with insulin resistance. Removal is optional and for comfort or appearance (snip, freeze, cautery…

Warts are small, harmless skin growths caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). They’re very common, especially in kids and teens. They often go away on their own but can take months to years. How you catch them Skin-to-skin contact or sharing…

Fifth disease is a common childhood illness caused by parvovirus B19. It’s best known for a “slapped cheek” facial rash and a lacy pink rash on the body. Most cases are mild. What causes it and how it spreads Parvovirus…

Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease is a very common, contagious viral illness, mostly in young children. It’s usually mild. It causes small blisters or spots on the hands, feet, and inside the mouth, and sometimes a low fever. What causes it Viruses called…

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy, immune activation, and fibrosis affecting skin and internal organs. Cutaneous involvement defines two main subsets: limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc; distal to elbows/knees, face) and diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc; proximal…

Morphea is an autoimmune, inflammatory disorder characterized by excessive collagen deposition leading to localized skin induration and sclerosis without internal organ involvement (distinguishing it from systemic sclerosis). Subtypes include limited plaque, generalized, linear (including en coup de sabre and Parry–Romberg…

Pyogenic granuloma is a common benign vascular proliferative lesion presenting as a rapidly growing, friable red papule or polyp that bleeds easily. Despite the name, it is neither pyogenic nor granulomatous; histologically, it is a lobular capillary hemangioma. Triggers include…

Infantile hemangiomas are common benign vascular tumors of infancy characterized by a proliferative phase in early infancy followed by gradual involution over years. Most are uncomplicated and require observation only, but lesions that threaten function, ulcerate, or risk disfigurement warrant…