Condition Lookup
Category:
Dermatological Conditions
Number of Conditions: 8
Eczema
Specialty: Internal Medicine
Category: Dermatological Conditions
Symptoms:
red, itchy, inflamed skin; dryness; cracks or scales; fluid-filled blisters (in acute cases); thickened skin (in chronic cases)
Root Cause:
Chronic inflammatory condition often linked to genetic predisposition and environmental triggers, such as allergens or irritants.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation based on symptoms and history; patch testing may be done to identify triggers.
Treatment:
Moisturizers, avoidance of triggers, topical medications.
Medications:
Topical corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone ), calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., tacrolimus ), antihistamines for itching, systemic treatments for severe cases (e.g., dupilumab ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 10–20% of children and 1–3% of adults worldwide.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, other atopic conditions (e.g., asthma, hay fever), environmental allergens.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Manageable; chronic condition with potential flare-ups.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary bacterial infections, sleep disturbances, reduced quality of life.
Acne
Specialty: Internal Medicine
Category: Dermatological Conditions
Symptoms:
blackheads; whiteheads; papules; pustules; cysts; redness or inflammation
Root Cause:
Blockage of hair follicles by oil and dead skin cells, often exacerbated by bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation based on lesion type and severity.
Treatment:
Topical and systemic therapies depending on severity.
Medications:
Topical retinoids (e.g., adapalene ), benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline ), hormonal treatments (e.g., oral contraceptives), isotretinoin for severe cases.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 85% of adolescents; can persist into adulthood.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Hormonal changes, genetics, certain cosmetics, high-glycemic diet.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with treatment; scarring may occur in severe cases.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Scarring, hyperpigmentation, psychosocial impact.
Fungal Infections (e.g., Athlete's Foot, Ringworm)
Specialty: Internal Medicine
Category: Dermatological Conditions
Symptoms:
red, scaly, itchy patches; cracking or peeling skin; circular lesions with a raised edge (ringworm); blisters (athlete’s foot)
Root Cause:
Infection of the skin by dermatophyte fungi (e.g., Trichophyton species).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation, skin scraping for microscopy or fungal culture.
Treatment:
Topical or systemic antifungal medications.
Medications:
Topical antifungals (e.g., clotrimazole , terbinafine ), oral antifungals (e.g., fluconazole , itraconazole ) for severe cases.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common; affects millions annually, especially in warm and humid climates.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Warm, moist environments, tight clothing, shared facilities (e.g., gyms).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with treatment; recurrence is common if prevention measures aren’t followed.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary bacterial infections, chronic recurrence.
Dermatitis
Specialty: Internal Medicine
Category: Dermatological Conditions
Symptoms:
redness; itching; swelling; dry or flaky skin; blisters (in some types)
Root Cause:
Inflammation of the skin caused by allergens, irritants, or genetic predisposition.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation, patch testing for allergic causes.
Treatment:
Avoidance of triggers, topical treatments, symptomatic relief.
Medications:
Topical corticosteroids, emollients, antihistamines for itching.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very common; affects about 15–20% of children and adults at some point.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Irritant exposure, allergens, family history.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with trigger avoidance and treatment.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary infections, chronic inflammation.
Warts and Verrucas
Specialty: Internal Medicine
Category: Dermatological Conditions
Symptoms:
raised, rough skin lesions; black dots (clotted blood vessels); pain (verrucas on soles of feet)
Root Cause:
Infection of the skin by human papillomavirus (HPV), leading to rapid skin cell growth.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination.
Treatment:
Cryotherapy, salicylic acid, surgical removal, immune-boosting treatments.
Medications:
Topical salicylic acid, imiquimod (immune modulator).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common, particularly in children and young adults.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Skin trauma, immunosuppression, direct contact with infected surfaces.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Many warts resolve spontaneously; treatment speeds resolution.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence, spread to other areas.
Skin Allergies
Specialty: Internal Medicine
Category: Dermatological Conditions
Symptoms:
red, itchy rash; swelling; blisters; hives; peeling skin
Root Cause:
Hypersensitivity reaction to allergens such as metals, plants, or chemicals.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, patch testing.
Treatment:
Avoidance of allergens, topical and systemic treatments for symptoms.
Medications:
Topical corticosteroids, oral antihistamines, emollients.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 20% of people at some point.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, exposure to known allergens.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with trigger avoidance and treatment.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic dermatitis, secondary infections.
Hives (Urticaria)
Specialty: Internal Medicine
Category: Dermatological Conditions
Symptoms:
raised, itchy welts; red or skin-colored bumps; swelling; disappears and reappears in different areas
Root Cause:
Immune-mediated release of histamine causing swelling and redness.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation; blood tests or allergen testing in chronic cases.
Treatment:
Avoidance of triggers, antihistamines.
Medications:
Antihistamines (e.g., loratadine , cetirizine ), corticosteroids for severe cases.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 20% of people at some point.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Allergens, stress, infections, certain medications.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent for acute cases; chronic cases may persist for months or years.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Angioedema, anaphylaxis (rare).
Skin Infections (e.g., Cellulitis, Impetigo)
Specialty: Internal Medicine
Category: Dermatological Conditions
Symptoms:
red, swollen, tender skin; fever; blisters (impetigo); warmth over affected area
Root Cause:
Bacterial infection of the skin, commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus species.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; swab culture in atypical cases.
Treatment:
Antibiotics, wound care.
Medications:
Topical antibiotics (e.g., mupirocin for impetigo), oral antibiotics (e.g., cephalexin , dicloxacillin).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common; cellulitis is more frequent in middle-aged and older adults.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Skin trauma, poor hygiene, diabetes, immunosuppression.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with prompt treatment.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Abscess formation, sepsis, deep tissue infections.