The terms "dermatitis" and "eczema" are often used interchangeably. Dermatitis can be "acute" or "chronic" or both. Acute eczema refers to a rapidly evolving red rash, which may be blistered and swollen. Chronic dermatitis refers to a longstanding irritable area. It is often darker than the surrounding skin, thickened and much scratched. Dermatitis affects about one in every five people at some time in their lives. It results from a variety of different causes and has various patterns.

A dermatofibroma is a common benign fibrous skin lesion. A dermatofibroma is also sometimes called a histiocytoma. The cause is unknown but some believe it arises at the site of a minor injury, especially an insect bite or thorn prick. Dermatofibromas most often occur on the legs and arms. Once developed, they usually persist for years. They appear as firm-feeling nodules, often yellow-brown in color, sometimes quite dark, especially in dark colored skin. If the skin over a dermatofibroma is squeezed a dimple forms, indicating tethering of the skin to the underlying fibrous tissue.

Dermatophytosis is a type of fungal infection. These superficial infections are extraodinarily common and are more commonly known as jock itch, ringworm, or athlete's foot. They are caused by dermatophytes which are fungal organisms that live off the dead top layer of the skin (stratum corneun, nails and hair). These are usually treated with topical creams unless they are extensive or involve the hair or nails then requiring oral antibiotics for months.

These rashes can mimic virtually all of the many rashes that exist in Dermatology, and must be considered first on the differential diagnosis in the apperance of a sudden symmetrucal eruption. Drug eruptions are caused by both immunologic and nonimmunologic mechanisims and are provoked by the oral or topical administration of a drug.

Dry Skin is clinically know as Xerosis. Which results from the loss of lipids (oils) in the skin and can occur with over bathing, advancing age, low humidity , and a result of drying from antibacterial and deodorant soaps.Some people have a genetic tendency towards dry skin.

Eczema affects about one in every five people at some time in their lives. It results from a variety of different causes and has various patterns. The terms "dermatitis" and "eczema" are often used interchangeably. Dermatitis can be "acute" or "chronic" or both. Acute eczema refers to a rapidly evolving red rash, which may be blistered and swollen. Chronic dermatitis refers to a longstanding irritable area. It is often darker than the surrounding skin, thickened and much scratched. It is typically triggered by an irritating soap, hot water, a fragrance and even stress.

Erysipelas is a sudden spreading infection of dermal and subcutaneous tissues (tissues underneath the skin) characterized by a red hot tender area of skin, often at the site of bacterial entry, caused most frequently by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci or staphylococcus aureus. Patients often have associated malaise, anorexia, fever, and chills.

Erythema infectiosum is also known as Fifth disease. Fifth disease is a common childhood infection causing a "slapped cheek" appearance and a rash. It most commonly affects young children and often occurs in several members of the family or school class. Thirty percent of infected individuals have no symptoms. The child is usually otherwise quite well, but occasionally has a slight fever and headache. The first sign is firm red cheeks, which feel burning hot. A rash follows 1 to 4 days later with a lace or network pattern on the limbs and then the trunk. Although most prominent in the first few days, the rash can persist at least intermittently for up to six weeks.

This reaction pattern of small targetoid blisters on the hands and feet is often triggered by a herpes outbreak (cold sore). Typically lesions may occur on the lips and genitals. Treatment of the underlying infection results in resolution of the blisters.

Erythema Nodosum is an important acute inflammatory/immunologic reaction pattern of the fatty tissue under the skin, characterized by the appearance of painful tender nodules on the lower legs and caused by many etiologies including pregnancy, bacteria, drugs and sarcoidosis. Typically it has the appearance of raised bruises on the lower legs.

Erythrasma is a common skin condition affecting the skin folds such as under the arms, in the groin and between the toes. The responsible organism is a bacterium, Corynebacterium minutissimum. It can infect anyone, but is particularly prevalent in those living in a warm climate. Erythrasma does not usually cause any symptoms. It presents as a slowly enlarging area of pink or brown dry skin.

Exfoliative keratolysis is a common skin condition in which there is focal peeling of the palms and less often the soles. It is also known as keratolysis exfoliativa. Exfoliative keratolysis is more common during the summer months, and most often affects young adults. The first sign is one or more superficial air-filled blisters on the fingers or palms. The blisters burst to leave expanding collarettes of scale and circular or oval, tender, peeled areas. These peeled areas lack a normal barrier function and may become red, dry and cracked. However, they are not generally itchy. The symptoms are aggravated by exposure to irritants including water, soap, detergents and solvents. Eventually normal skin forms, but frequently exfoliative keratolysis recurs within a few weeks. Sometimes on the ends of the fingers the split in the skin is deeper, in which case the skin feels hard and numb and takes longer to peel off.

Fifth disease is a common childhood infection causing a "slapped cheek" appearance and a rash. It is also known as Erythema infectiosum. It most commonly affects young children and often occurs in several members of the family or school class. Thirty percent of infected individuals have no symptoms. The child is usually otherwise quite well, but occasionally has a slight fever and headache. The first sign is firm red cheeks, which feel burning hot. A rash follows 1 to 4 days later with a lace or network pattern on the limbs and then the trunk. Although most prominent in the first few days, the rash can persist at least intermittently for up to six weeks.

Fixed drug eruption is an adverse skin reaction to an ingested drug, characterized usually, as a solitary lesion which may burn and sometimes blister. Typically there is a bronze discoloration of the skin.

Flushing occurs because the blood vessels in the skin dilate. There are various causes. When flushing is produced by activity of the nerves to the blood vessels it is accompanied by sweating. Agents, which act directly on the blood vessels, cause dry flushing.

Folliculitis is the name given to a group of skin conditions with inflamed hair follicles. Causes of folliculitis includes, infections, irritation from regrowth of hair, contact reactions, inflammatory skin diseases, and acne variants.

These superficial infections are extraodinarily common and are more commonly known as jock itch, ringworm, or athlete's foot. They are caused by dermatophytes which are fungal organisms that live off the dead top layer of the skin (stratum corneun, nails and hair). These are usually treated with topical creams unless they are extensive or involve the hair or nails then requiring oral antibiotics for months.

Herpes simplex is one of the most common infections of mankind throughout the world. There are two main types of herpes simplex virus (HSV): type 1, which is mainly associated with facial infections and type 2, which is mainly associated with genital infections. These viruses cause lifelong infection with potential for reactivation or recurrence. Often people refer only to HSV-2 when discussing genital herpes but both types can cause infection in the genital area. Clinically, about 60-70% of primary genital infections are due to HSV-2 with the rest due to HSV-1.Both type 1 and type 2 herpes simplex viruses reside in a latent state in the nerves that supply sensation to the skin. With each episode of herpes simplex, the virus grows down the nerves and out into the skin or mucous membranes where it multiplies, causing the clinical lesion. After each episode it "dies back" up the nerve fiber and enters the resting state again.

Genital warts are very common. They are caused by a virus, the human papillomavirus (HPV). Visible genital warts and sub clinical HPV infection nearly always arise from direct skin-to-skin contact. Transmission is common as genital warts often go unnoticed. Sub clinical infections can also be infectious. Often, warts will appear three to six months after infection but latency periods of many months or even years have been reported. Genital warts may occur in the following sites: Vulva Vagina Cervix Urethra Penis Scrotum Anus

The Gianotti Crosti Syndrome is a characteristic response of the skin to viral infection in which there is a papular rash which lasts for several weeks. Crosti Syndrome mainly affects children between the ages of 6 months and 12 years. A clustering of cases is often observed. A preceding upper respiratory infection is common. Over the course of 3 or 4 days a profuse eruption of dull red spots develops first on the thighs and buttocks, then on the outer aspects of the arms, and finally on the face. The rash is often asymmetrical. The individual spots are 5-10 mm in diameter and are a deep red color. Later they often look purple, especially on the legs, due to leakage of blood from the capillaries. Itch is uncommon, particularly if hepatitis B is the cause. The patient may feel quite well or have a mild temperature. Mildly enlarged lymph nodes in the armpits and groins may persist for months.

Gram Negative Folliculitis is an acne-like disorder caused by a bacterial infection. Gram negative bacteria include Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marescens, Klebsiella and Proteus species. The term "Gram negative" refers to the staining pattern of the organisms in the laboratory. Gram negative folliculitis differs from acne in the following ways: Most of the lesions are pustules with relatively few papules and comedones and it may result from long-term treatment with tetracycline antibiotics.

Granuloma annulare is a common condition of unknown cause, which affects the skin of teenagers or young adults. In granuloma annulare (GA), skin colored bumps occur in rings often over joints, particularly the knuckles. The center of each ring is often a little depressed. It usually affects both hands, and limbs, symmetrically. It can occur on other sites of the body such as the abdomen or neck, and is occasionally quite widespread. Many patients have a cold hand or foot tendency. A few patients with extensive Granuloma Annulare have diabetes mellitus. Often it will disappear after a few weeks or months, but may recur.

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