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Dandruff is a condition of the scalp that causes flakes of skin to appear. It is often accompanied by itching. The exact cause is unknown, but various factors increase the risk. It is not related to poor hygiene, but it may be more visible if a person does not wash or brush their hair often. Dandruff can be embarrassing and hard to treat, but help is available. Fast facts on dandruff dandruff Here are some key points about dandruff. More detail is the main article. Dandruff is a common condition, but it can be embarrassing and difficult to treat. It is not related to hygiene, but washing and brushing the hair can help remove old skin flakes. Risk factors include having certain skin or medical conditions and the use of inappropriate hair products. Various treatments are available over the counter, but more severe cases should be seen by a doctor. Home remedies Treatment aims to stop the dandruff by slowing down the reproduction of skin cells or counteracting the...

Slapped cheek disease (fifth disease) Slapped cheek disease, also known as fifth disease, is a common and usually mild childhood viral infection. It is caused by the human parvovirus B19 and is called "slapped cheek disease" due to its characteristic symptom - a hot, red facial rash. Treatment will involve rest and relieving discomfort.    General information The disease mainly occurs in children and is usually accompanied with mild, cold-like symptoms. However, complications can occur in those with weakened immune systems and blood disorders.  If a woman contracts slapped cheek disease during the first half of her pregnancy, there is a small risk that the unborn child can develop a serious form of anaemia, or that the baby may miscarry. This occurs in less than 10% of pregnant women infected with the condition.  After infection with slapped cheek disease, lasting immunity to the condition is developed, protecting against future infec...

Shingles - causes, symptoms, treatment, vaccination Shingles is a viral infection, the first symptom of which is usually a tingling, sharp, burning pain under the skin, followed after 1-14 days by a red rash and blisters.  Early treatment can help to shorten the duration of infection and reduce the risk of complications.  Vaccination can help to reduce the risk of developing shingles. Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox (varicella zoster). After a bout of chickenpox the virus lies latent in the nerve cells near the spinal cord. It remains there for life and can be reactivated at a later stage as shingles. Anyone who has had chickenpox can go on to develop shingles. Signs and symptoms Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, can occur at any age but usually occurs in adults over the age of 50 years.  Females appear to be more frequently affected than males.  Groups at an increased risk of developing shingles include people whose...

Scabies – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by a barely visible parasite called the scabies mite. Symptoms include itchy skin and rash. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is required to deal with the condition, and to prevent serious skin infections and the scabies mites spreading to other people. General information Scabies can occur in people of all ages and is highly contagious, spreading easily between family members and friends. Because it is spread by skin contact and the sharing of clothing and bedding, scabies is more likely to occur when many people live together in the same household. Sometimes it is spread through sexual contact, especially in young adults. Scabies is also common in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.  You should see your doctor or pharmacist if you think that you or a family member has scabies. It is important to get treatment for scabies because it will not go away on its own. Some skin conditi...

Roseola (roseola infantum or sixth disease) Roseola is a common viral illness affecting babies and young children, usually between six months and three years of age.  Also known as roseola infantum or sixth disease, roseola is usually a mild illness causing fever and skin rash. Treatment normally involves relieving symptoms while the illness runs its course.       Causes Roseola is spread from person to person in respiratory fluids and saliva, or by direct contact with infected persons or items.  It is commonly spread by coughing and sneezing. Once infection with the virus has occurred, the incubation period (the time until symptoms appear) is between nine to 10 days.  It is not known exactly how long a person is contagious for once they have been infected with the virus.    The majority of cases of roseola are caused by human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6), though it can also be caused by human herpes virus ...

Rosacea - symptoms, treatment, skin-care Rosacea is a chronic (long term) skin condition characterised by a red facial rash.  It most commonly affects the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin but some people can experience symptoms on their neck, back, scalp, arms and legs.  Antibiotics are the primary treatment, while changes to your skin care regimen may help prevent recurences. Rosacea can have a similar appearance to acne but the two conditions are unrelated.  Rosacea does not produce the blackheads, deep cysts or lumps that are symptomatic of acne.  It mostly affects fair-skinned Caucasians (especially those of Celtic origin) aged 30–60 years.    Signs and symptoms    Identifying the disease is the first step to controlling it.  Self-diagnosis and treatment is not recommended, especially as some over-the-counter skin applications may make the problem worse.   Rosacea often begins with episodes of flushing ...

Psoriasis – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin. Characteristic symptoms are thick, red skin, with flaky, silver-white patches. These patches can be small and may or may not be itchy and sore. More severe cases can cover large areas of the body and have a major impact on quality of life. The aim of treatment is to minimise symptoms and prevent infection of the skin.  Psoriasis is a common and often life-long condition, which may affect as many as one in 50 adults. Anyone can get psoriasis, but it is more likely to occur in people aged between 15 and 35 years. It is not contagious, i.e. it cannot be caught from or spread to another person. There are several different types of psoriasis, each with its own distinctive appearance. Some people will develop stiff swollen joints in combination with their psoriasis – a condition known as psoriatic arthritis. The persistent visual, and sometimes disabling, nature of psoriasis...

Outer ear infection (otitis externa) – symptoms, treatment, prevention Outer ear infection, known as otitis externa, is the infection of skin in the outer ear canal. It is sometimes referred to as swimmer’s ear. Symptoms can include pain, itching, muffled hearing and a feeling of blockage and ear pressure.  Treatment and prevention will normally include removing or avoiding the causes of irritation or blockages. What is outer ear infection? The ear is made up of three different sections: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. These parts all work together so you can hear and process sounds. The outer and middle ear are separated by the eardrum – a very thin piece of skin that vibrates when hit by sound waves.  It is a common condition that can affect people of all ages. This page deals with outer ear infection (otitis externa), which is the infection of the skin that lines the outer ear canal. This is normally a bacterial infection, but viral or fungal inf...