Your dermatologist has recommended a biopsy to help diagnose your skin disease. This tip sheet will provide you with information about what to expect before, during and after your procedure. Review this information and follow any personalized directions from your dermatologist. WHAT IS A BIOPSY? To diagnose

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases, as they used to be called, spread from one person to another during sexual contact. This contact can involve the genitals, anus, skin, or mouth and result in an infection. WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF STIs? There are more than 20 types

Seborrheic keratoses are common benign (noncancerous) skin growths that can occur anywhere on the body. While it is possible to have a seborrheic keratosis, it is more common to develop many of these growths, especially with increased age. WHAT DOES AN SK LOOK LIKE? Most SKs begin as small, rough bumps

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin disease that causes a red, scaly, itchy rash typically on the scalp, eyebrows, folds around mouth, and ears. Seborrheic dermatitis can last for years. It tends to clear and flare without warning. Treatment often is necessary to control it. For some people, seborrheic

Scars are marks on the skin that result from the normal healing of wounds caused by accidents, diseases, surgeries or other abnormal changes to the skin. The more skin damage that occurs and the longer it takes to heal, the greater the chance of an obvious scar. However, some people may develop a visible

Scabies is a common skin condition. People get scabies when a mite burrows into the top layer of their skin. This eight-legged bug is so small that you cannot see it on the skin. When your skin reacts to the mite, a very itchy rash develops. Scabies HOW DID YOU GET SCABIES? Scabies is contagious. People

Do you blush or flush easily? When you look in the mirror, do you see redness in the center of your face? Do you also see acne-like breakouts even though your teen years ended decades ago? Where you have redness, do you see tiny veins? Rosacea* If so, you might have rosacea. Common signs and symptoms

Pruritus is the medical term for itch. Itching is a common problem that can affect one area of the body or multiple areas at once. Usually, an itch only lasts for a limited period of time. If an itch lasts for more than six weeks, it is considered a chronic itch, which is more likely to disrupt your

WHAT IS PITYRIASIS ROSEA? Pityriasis rosea (pit-ih-RYE-as-sis ro-ZEA) is a common condition that causes patches of redness and a rash on the skin. These patches can look worrisome, but they are harmless. Once it develops, the rash can last anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks before disappearing. While the rash

Perioral dermatitis is a rash that usually forms around the mouth. Perioral means “around the mouth.” Dermatitis is the medical term for “inflamed skin.” People of all skin colors get perioral dermatitis. This rash is most common in young and middle-aged women. Children and adolescents can also

Your nails can tell you a lot about your health. The skin under and around your nails are susceptible to many diseases. Warning signs of other health problems also can appear on your nails. Good nail care is important because it helps prevent many common nail conditions. In addition to taking good care

Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection caused by a virus that spreads easily between people. You can catch this virus through direct skin-to-skin contact or by touching an infected object. While molluscum is usually harmless, it does cause bumps to appear on the skin. These growths can appear

Your dermatologist has recommended Mohs micrographic surgery to treat your skin cancer. This tip sheet will provide you with information about what to expect before, during and after your surgery. It is important to know that your dermatologist may also be your Mohs surgeon. Dermatologists who receive

Melasma is a common skin condition. It causes brown to gray-brown patches on the forehead, upper cheeks, nose, upper lip, and sometimes neck and forearms. These patches often develop slowly and can last for many years. WHO GETS MELASMA? Melasma most often occurs in women. Only 10% of people who get melasma

As you grow older, you will see and feel changes in your skin. You cannot avoid skin changes associated with natural aging. However, there are skin changes you can prevent. There are even diseases, such as skin cancer, that need medical attention. Your dermatologist can be a partner in helping you keep

Follow these tips to protect your skin from the damaging effects of sun exposure and reduce your risk of skin cancer: Apply sunscreen. When you are going to be outside, even on cloudy days, apply sunscreen to all skin that will not be covered by clothing. Reapply approximately every two hours, or after

Check your skin: Skin self-exams can help melanoma survivors find another melanoma early. If you’ve been treated for melanoma, you may never get another melanoma. Many people don’t. But it’s important to know that you have a greater risk of getting another one. Anyone who has had melanoma has

Lymph system: We have lymph nodes, which are connected by lymph vessels (shown in green), throughout our body. The largest number of lymph nodes are found in our neck, armpits, and groin. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread quickly. When melanoma starts to spread, it often travels to a

Reviewing x-ray: FDA-approved combinations of medications can shrink melanoma tumors and stop the cancer from spreading for a longer time. If you have advanced melanoma, this means the cancer has spread. Surgery alone cannot remove the cancer. You’ll need other treatment. One option that your doctor

By age 50, men are more likely than women to develop melanoma. Sun protection can reduce this risk. Researchers have found yet another way that men and women differ. Melanoma, the most-serious skin cancer, affects the sexes differently. Men are more likely to die of melanoma than women. This is true

Family tree: About 10% of melanomas are caused by a gene mutation (change) that passes from one generation to the next. If you’re worried about getting melanoma, the most-serious skin cancer, you may be wondering whether you should have genetic testing. After all, genetic testing is now used find

It’s natural to worry after being diagnosed with melanoma. Getting help dealing with worry and other emotions can bring peace of mind. After a melanoma diagnosis, feelings of worry, fear, or anxiety can be overwhelming. To find out what can help ease these feelings, researchers talked with thousands

Also called Mohs micrographic surgery Used to treat skin cancer, this surgery has a unique benefit. During surgery, the surgeon can see where the cancer stops. This isn’t possible with other types of treatment for skin cancer. The ability to see where the cancer stops gives Mohs (pronounced Moes) two

Skin reaction from targeted therapy: Caught early, many skin reactions can be treated so that you don’t have to stop targeted therapy. Are you receiving targeted therapy to treat skin cancer — or any other cancer? If so, dermatologists recommend that you pay close attention to your skin. Skin reactions

People of all ages get skin cancer. Checking your skin can help you find skin cancer early when it’s highly treatable. Skin cancer is actually one of the easiest cancers to find. That’s because skin cancer usually begins where you can see it. You can get skin cancer anywhere on your skin — from

Peter Moffat, creator of Criminal Justice, is diminishing the stigma of atopic dermatitis by raising awareness of this disease. Peter Moffat knows well the everyday struggles of living with atopic dermatitis (AD), the most common type of eczema. Now he’s using his celebrity status to raise awareness

After two pulsed-dye laser treatments from a board-certified dermatologist (B), this woman’s raised scar (A) is much less noticeable. A laser can seem like a magic wand that can make any scar disappear. Medical lasers, however, are nothing to play with. To get impressive results and avoid serious

Genital herpes is an STD. If your partner has genital herpes, you can catch it — even when your partner doesn’t have sores. Genital herpes: Overview What is genital herpes? Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It’s caused by the herpes simplex virus. Anyone who is sexually active

Covering up a skin condition with camouflaging makeup may improve a child’s quality of life. If a birthmark or other skin condition causes your child to feel bad, covering it up with makeup may help. That’s what the findings from two studies suggest. Wearing makeup can improve a child’s quality

Scars: Overview If you dislike the look of a scar, treatment may make it less noticeable. What exactly is a scar? When you injure your skin, your body naturally repairs the damage. How your body repairs this damage depends on how deeply the injury penetrates your skin. If the injury damages the top

Dermatologist examining a new mole. If you develop a new mole after age 30, a dermatologist should examine the mole for signs of melanoma. #1 problem with moles: Melanoma While most moles are harmless, you shouldn’t ignore yours. Melanoma, the most-serious skin cancer, can begin in a mole. A bleeding

Moles on a child’s skin are generally nothing to worry about. New moles appear during childhood and adolescence. As the child grows, the moles will naturally get bigger. It’s also normal for moles on a child’s skin to darken or lighten. Some moles fade away. These changes are common and rarely

If you left your dermatologist’s office with a prescription for propranolol (pro-pran-no-lol), you can take comfort in knowing that your baby is getting a trustworthy treatment for a fast-growing birthmark. Why would a dermatologist prescribe heart medication to treat a birthmark? Yes, propranolol

Birthmarks: Overview Salmon patches: This harmless birthmark will fade with time and tends to be most noticeable when your baby cries or becomes too warm. What exactly is a birthmark? If your baby has a birthmark, you’ll likely see a spot, patch, or lump that looks different from the rest of

Having any type of acne (pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, or acne cysts) can feel devastating for a teenager. Just when our appearance becomes so important and we want to look our best, acne can begin. Some teens seem unfazed by acne. For most teenagers, however, this especially visible skin problem