Skin
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The skin protects our body against injury and infection, regulates temperature and controls the loss of body fluids. Its two main layers are the dermis and epidermis. Skin can be affected by sun, ageing, injury and infection.
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- Bites and stings – first aid
If you are bitten or stung by an insect or animal, apply first aid and seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
- Blisters
A blister is one of the body's responses to injury or friction.
- Boils
Some areas of the body are more susceptible to boils, including the face, throat, armpits, groin and buttocks.
- Burns and scalds
Immediate first aid for all burns is to hold the burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes.
- Burns and scalds - children
Most hot tap water scald injuries to children happen in the bathroom.
- Buruli ulcer
Since the ulcer gets bigger with time, early diagnosis and prompt treatment of Buruli ulcer can keep skin loss to a minimum.
- Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin that occurs most commonly on the lower legs and in areas where the skin is damaged or inflamed.
- Chilblains
The symptoms of chilblains are made worse with sudden temperature changes.
- Cold sores
Cold sores are blisters around the mouth and nose, caused by the herpes simplex virus.
- Cysts
Cysts may be as small as a blister or large enough to hold litres of fluid.
- Frostbite
Exhaustion, hunger and dehydration further lower the body's defences against frostbite.
- Impetigo - school sores
Impetigo, or school sores, is a highly contagious skin infection that commonly affects school-aged children.
- Leg ulcers
Age, varicose veins, smoking and arterial disease increase the risk of leg ulcers.
- Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum can be mistaken for genital warts or pimples, see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. More on symptoms, rash, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and where to get help.
- Pityriasis rosea
Generally, pityriasis rosea is a one-off event - once it has gone, the rash doesn?t reappear.
- Pressure sores
Pressure sores can be difficult to treat and may lead to serious complications.
- Shingles
Shingles is caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox.
- Skin cuts and abrasions
The body begins repairing a wound immediately and the process may continue for days, weeks, months or even years.
- Tinea
Tinea is contagious and can be spread by skin-to-skin contact or indirectly through towels, clothes or floors.
- Warts
Warts can be stubborn, so you may need to use more than one type of treatment.
- Birthmarks
In most cases, we do not know what causes birthmarks. Most are harmless, happen by chance and are not caused by anything the mother did wrong in pregnancy.
- Blushing and flushing
Severe blushing can make it difficult for the person to feel comfortable in social or professional situations.
- Skin explained
The skin is a good indicator of health - if someone is sick, it often shows in their skin.
- Sweat
Sweat's main function is to control body temperature.
- Wounds - how to care for them
Chronic wounds are more likely to heal if they are treated with moist rather than dry dressings.
- Wrinkles
Sun exposure, smoking and ageing are the main causes of wrinkles.
- Melanoma
If untreated, melanomas can spread to other parts of the body and may be fatal.
- Skin cancer
Check all of your skin, not just sun-exposed areas. If you notice anything unusual, including any change in shape, colour or size of a spot, or the development of a spot, visit your doctor as soon as possible.
- Skin cancer - children
Encourage your child to be SunSmart, whatever their age.
- Skin cancer - protecting outdoor workers
People who work outdoors are in one of the highest risk groups for skin cancer.
- Skin cancer - risk factors
The major cause of skin cancer is over exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or other sources, such as solariums.
- Skin cancer - tanning
A suntan is a sign of skin damage ? there is no such thing as a 'safe' tan.
- Cosmetic procedures
Cosmetic surgery carries risks and, in some cases, the results are not what you may anticipate.
- Home tattooing
Home tattooing, or getting tattoos overseas, puts you at risk of serious complications that can be debilitating and life-long.
- Piercings
If you want to have your body pierced, choose an experienced, registered practitioner to reduce the risks of infection and scarring.
- Tattoos
If you want to get a tattoo, choose an experienced, registered practitioner to reduce the risks of infection and scarring.
- Acne
Acne is common and can make people of all ages feel embarrassed, but treatments can help if acne is causing distress.
- Bowen's disease
Bowen's disease produces persistent red scaly patches on the skin that are neither sore nor itchy.
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
Eczema can vary in severity, and symptoms may flare up or subside from day to day.
- Erythema nodosum
Erythema nodosum appears as red tender lumps, most commonly on the shins.
- Leprosy (Hansen’s disease)
Once a person with leprosy begins treatment they quickly become non-infectious.
- McCune-Albright syndrome
The severity of symptoms or how a child with McCune-Albright syndrome will be affected throughout life is difficult to predict.
- Psoriasis
There is no cure for psoriasis, but it can be well controlled with treatment.
- Raynaud's phenomenon
Raynaud's phenomenon can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, so see your doctor if you experience it.
- Rosacea
In men, severe rosacea can cause the nose to become reddened and enlarged (rhinophyma).
- Scleroderma
The most common symptom of scleroderma is a thickening and hardening of the skin, particularly of the hands and face.
- Tinea
Tinea is contagious and can be spread by skin-to-skin contact or indirectly through towels, clothes or floors.
- Healthy ageing - the skin
Many age-related skin changes can be reduced with healthy lifestyle choices and good skin care.
- Home tattooing
Home tattooing, or getting tattoos overseas, puts you at risk of serious complications that can be debilitating and life-long.
- Stretch marks
Over time, stretch marks lose their bright colouring and become silvery, shimmering lines.
- Sun protection at the snow
Winter activities such as snow skiing or snowboarding pose a high risk of sunburn.
- Sunburn
Even mild sunburn can cause permanent skin damage and may increase your risk of skin cancer.
- Bedbugs
Bedbugs have highly developed mouth parts that can pierce skin.
- Bites and stings – first aid
If you are bitten or stung by an insect or animal, apply first aid and seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
- Body lice
Body lice can spread from one person to another when the environmental conditions are crowded and unhygienic.
- Cradle cap
Cradle cap is not contagious and it is not caused by poor hygiene or bad parenting.
- Dandruff and itching scalp
Itching scalp can be caused by a number of conditions, including dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and psoriasis.
- Fleas
Fleas are parasites that feed off the blood of humans and animals, and can spread infection.
- Hives
Hives (urticaria) are a reaction to the release of histamine into the skin.
- Nappy rash
Most babies get nappy rash at some stage, no matter how well they are cared for.
- Scabies
If you have scabies, your sexual partners and household members need to be treated. More on symptoms, scabies rash, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and where to get help.
Reviewed on: 23-02-2022