Condition Lookup

Seborrheic Keratosis

Symptoms:
waxy, wart-like growths; brown, black, or tan color; typically round or oval shape; rough or smooth surface; commonly found on the trunk, face, or extremities

Root Cause:
Benign proliferation of keratinocytes, often associated with aging and genetic predisposition.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; dermoscopy to differentiate from malignant lesions; biopsy in uncertain cases.

Treatment:
No treatment necessary unless for cosmetic reasons or irritation; removal by cryotherapy, curettage, or laser.

Medications:
Not applicable; treatment is procedural.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very common in adults over 50; prevalence increases with age.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age, genetic predisposition, and sun exposure.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent; lesions are benign and do not transform into cancer.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Irritation from friction or clothing; Cosmetic concerns

Lipomas

Specialty: Dermatology

Category: Skin Tumors and Growths

Sub-category: Benign Tumors

Symptoms:
soft, movable lumps under the skin; painless (usually); typically small, but can grow larger; most commonly on the trunk, shoulders, and neck

Root Cause:
Benign growth of mature adipose tissue within the subcutaneous layer.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; ultrasound or biopsy for atypical presentations.

Treatment:
Surgical removal for symptomatic or cosmetic reasons.

Medications:
Not applicable; treatment is surgical.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in about 1 in 1,000 people; most common in middle-aged adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, obesity, and minor trauma.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent; completely benign, with rare recurrence after removal.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cosmetic concerns; Discomfort if large or pressing on nearby structures

Epidermoid Cysts

Specialty: Dermatology

Category: Skin Tumors and Growths

Sub-category: Benign Tumors

Symptoms:
small, round, firm bumps under the skin; central punctum (blackhead-like opening); may ooze foul-smelling keratin if ruptured; commonly on face, neck, and trunk

Root Cause:
Benign cysts formed by keratin trapped beneath the skin due to blocked hair follicles or trauma.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; biopsy if atypical.

Treatment:
Incision and drainage for symptomatic cases; surgical excision to prevent recurrence.

Medications:
Not applicable; treatment is procedural.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common, affecting individuals of all ages.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Trauma, acne, and genetic predisposition.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent; recurrence is rare after complete removal.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection; Inflammation; Rupture

Dermatofibromas

Specialty: Dermatology

Category: Skin Tumors and Growths

Sub-category: Benign Tumors

Symptoms:
firm, small nodules under the skin; typically tan, pink, or brown; central dimple when pinched; commonly on legs or arms

Root Cause:
Benign fibrous growths in the dermis, often triggered by minor skin injuries or insect bites.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; dermoscopy or biopsy for atypical presentations.

Treatment:
No treatment required unless symptomatic; excision for cosmetic reasons or irritation.

Medications:
Not applicable; treatment is surgical.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common, more frequent in adults and females.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Minor trauma or skin injuries.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent; lesions are benign and stable.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cosmetic concerns; Rare irritation or pain

Cherry Angiomas

Specialty: Dermatology

Category: Skin Tumors and Growths

Sub-category: Benign Tumors

Symptoms:
small, red to purple spots on the skin; smooth or slightly raised; painless and non-itchy; most commonly on the trunk

Root Cause:
Proliferation of capillaries in the skin, associated with aging and possibly hormonal changes.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; dermoscopy to confirm diagnosis.

Treatment:
No treatment required unless for cosmetic reasons; removal via laser therapy or electrocautery.

Medications:
Not applicable; treatment is procedural.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very common, increasing with age; present in most adults over 30.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age, genetics, and hormonal factors.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent; lesions are benign and do not require intervention.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cosmetic concerns; Occasional bleeding if traumatized

Neurofibromas

Specialty: Dermatology

Category: Skin Tumors and Growths

Sub-category: Benign Tumors

Symptoms:
soft, skin-colored or brown bumps; painless, but may cause discomfort if large or pressing on nerves; commonly on the trunk, arms, and legs; associated with caf?au-lait spots in neurofibromatosis

Root Cause:
Benign tumors arising from peripheral nerve sheaths, often associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; imaging or biopsy for atypical or symptomatic cases.

Treatment:
No treatment required for asymptomatic lesions; surgical removal for large or symptomatic tumors.

Medications:
Not applicable; treatment is surgical or observational.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Sporadic cases are rare; associated with neurofibromatosis in about 1 in 3,000 individuals.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (genetic disorder).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent for isolated neurofibromas; prognosis depends on associated conditions in neurofibromatosis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cosmetic concerns; Discomfort or pain; Rare malignant transformation in NF1

Actinic Keratosis

Specialty: Dermatology

Category: Skin Tumors and Growths

Sub-category: Pre-Malignant Conditions

Symptoms:
rough, scaly patches on sun-exposed areas; red, pink, or brown lesions; sometimes tender or itchy; most commonly on face, ears, scalp, forearms, and hands

Root Cause:
Chronic sun exposure causing DNA damage in keratinocytes, leading to dysplasia.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; dermoscopy or biopsy to rule out squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Treatment:
Topical therapies, cryotherapy, or photodynamic therapy to remove lesions and prevent progression.

Medications:
Topical 5-fluorouracil – for keratinocyte dysplasia. Imiquimod – an immune response modifier. Diclofenac gel – anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor agent.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects up to 10% of adults, particularly in fair-skinned individuals over 50.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic sun exposure, fair skin, history of sunburns, immunosuppression.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with treatment; untreated lesions may progress to SCC in 5–10% of cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Progression to squamous cell carcinoma; Cosmetic concerns

Dysplastic Nevi (Atypical Moles)

Specialty: Dermatology

Category: Skin Tumors and Growths

Sub-category: Pre-Malignant Conditions

Symptoms:
irregularly shaped moles; variegated colors (brown, black, pink); asymmetry and uneven borders; most commonly on the trunk, scalp, or extremities

Root Cause:
Abnormal melanocyte proliferation, potentially triggered by UV exposure and genetic factors, with potential progression to melanoma.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination using the ABCDE criteria (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolution); biopsy for suspicious lesions.

Treatment:
Monitoring for changes, surgical excision of suspicious or evolving moles.

Medications:
Not applicable; treatment is surgical or observational.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common, especially in individuals with fair skin or a family history of melanoma.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of dysplastic nevi or melanoma, chronic sun exposure, fair skin, and a large number of moles.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with monitoring and early intervention; dysplastic nevi themselves are benign but carry a higher risk for melanoma development.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Progression to melanoma; Cosmetic concerns after excision

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

Specialty: Dermatology

Category: Skin Tumors and Growths

Sub-category: Skin Cancers

Symptoms:
pearly or translucent nodules; central ulceration or crusting; rolled edges; visible blood vessels on lesion surface; commonly on sun-exposed areas like face and neck

Root Cause:
Malignant proliferation of basal cells in the epidermis due to DNA damage from UV exposure.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, dermoscopy, and biopsy for confirmation.

Treatment:
Surgical excision, Mohs micrographic surgery, or topical therapies for superficial lesions.

Medications:
Topical imiquimod or 5-fluorouracil – for superficial BCC. Vismodegib – for advanced or metastatic BCC.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Most common skin cancer; lifetime risk is about 20% in fair-skinned individuals.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic UV exposure, fair skin, history of sunburns, immunosuppression.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with early treatment; metastasis is extremely rare.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Local tissue destruction; Recurrence; Rare metastasis in neglected cases

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Specialty: Dermatology

Category: Skin Tumors and Growths

Sub-category: Skin Cancers

Symptoms:
firm, scaly, or crusted lesions; ulceration or non-healing sores; rough patches or plaques; commonly on sun-exposed areas

Root Cause:
Malignant transformation of keratinocytes in the epidermis, often due to chronic UV exposure.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, dermoscopy, and biopsy for confirmation.

Treatment:
Surgical excision, Mohs surgery, or radiation therapy for inoperable cases.

Medications:
Systemic chemotherapy (e.g., cisplatin ) – for advanced SCC. Immunotherapy (e.g., cemiplimab ) – for metastatic cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Second most common skin cancer; more frequent in older adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic UV exposure, fair skin, immunosuppression, and actinic keratosis.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with early detection; risk of metastasis increases with advanced lesions.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis to lymph nodes or distant organs; Local tissue destruction

Mycosis Fungoides (Cutaneous Lymphoma)

Specialty: Dermatology

Category: Skin Tumors and Growths

Sub-category: Skin Cancers

Symptoms:
scaly red patches or plaques; itchy lesions; tumors in advanced stages

Root Cause:
Malignant proliferation of T-cells in the skin.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Skin biopsy, blood tests for circulating malignant T-cells, and imaging for staging.

Treatment:
Topical therapies, phototherapy, systemic treatments, or stem cell transplantation for advanced cases.

Medications:
Topical corticosteroids or retinoids (e.g., bexarotene ). Phototherapy (e.g., PUVA). Chemotherapy (e.g., methotrexate ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; Mycosis Fungoides accounts for about 50% of cutaneous lymphomas.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Unknown; possible links to immune dysfunction or infections.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; early-stage disease has a good prognosis, while advanced stages have a poorer outlook.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Progression to systemic lymphoma; Severe itching and skin breakdown

Sezary Syndrome (Cutaneous Lymphoma)

Specialty: Dermatology

Category: Skin Tumors and Growths

Sub-category: Skin Cancers

Symptoms:
diffuse redness and scaling of the skin; enlarged lymph nodes; circulating malignant t-cells in blood