What Is Herpes Simplex Virus / HSV? Skin Blisters, Triggers & Treatment Options
What Is Herpes Simplex Virus / HSV? Skin Blisters, Triggers & Treatment Options Herpes simplex virus, or HSV, is a lifelong HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection that can cause painful grouped blisters or ulcers on skin and mucous membranes. HSV-1 most commonly causes oral herpes but can also infect genital skin, while HSV-2 most commonly causes […]
What Is Hereditary Angioedema? Recurrent Swelling, Causes & Treatment Options
What Is Hereditary Angioedema? Recurrent Swelling, Causes & Treatment Options Hereditary angioedema is a group of rare genetic disorders that cause unpredictable episodes of deep swelling beneath the skin or within mucosal tissues. HAE attacks often affect the hands, feet, face, lips, eyelids, genitals, gastrointestinal tract, tongue, throat and upper airway. Most classic forms involve […]
What Is Henoch-Schönlein Purpura? Purplish Skin Rash, Causes & Treatment Options
What Is Henoch-Schönlein Purpura? Purplish Skin Rash, Causes & Treatment Options Henoch-Schönlein purpura is an immune-mediated small-vessel vasculitis that commonly causes raised red-purple spots on the legs and buttocks. The preferred modern name is immunoglobulin A vasculitis, shortened to IgA vasculitis or IgAV. IgA-associated inflammation can affect skin, joints, the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. Most […]
What Is Hemangioma? Skin Blood Vessel Growth, Causes & Treatment Options
What Is Hemangioma? Skin Blood Vessel Growth, Causes & Treatment Options A hemangioma is a benign growth formed by abnormal proliferation of blood-vessel cells. This page focuses mainly on infantile hemangioma, also called infantile haemangioma, strawberry hemangioma, strawberry birthmark or strawberry nevus. Infantile hemangioma is usually absent or faint at birth, becomes noticeable during the […]
What Is Heat Rash / Miliaria? Sweat Rash, Causes & Treatment Options
What Is Heat Rash / Miliaria? Sweat Rash, Causes & Treatment Options Heat rash, also called miliaria, sweat rash or prickly heat, develops when eccrine sweat ducts become blocked or inflamed and sweat becomes trapped within the skin. It can affect newborns, children and adults after heat, humidity, fever, strenuous activity, prolonged bed rest or […]
What Is Harlequin Ichthyosis? Severe Skin Scaling, Causes & Care Options
What Is Harlequin Ichthyosis? Severe Skin Scaling, Causes & Care Options Harlequin ichthyosis is a rare, severe genetic disorder of skin formation present at birth. Newborns develop thick, hard skin plates separated by deep fissures, with ectropion, eclabium, restricted chest expansion and reduced limb or digit movement. Pathogenic ABCA12 variants disrupt lipid transport needed for […]
What Is Halo Nevus? Mole Color Change, Causes & Diagnosis
What Is Halo Nevus? Mole Color Change, Causes & Diagnosis A halo nevus is a melanocytic mole surrounded by a circular or oval area of lighter or completely depigmented skin. It is also called a halo naevus, Sutton nevus, halo mole, or leukoderma acquisitum centrifugum. Immune activity targets pigment-producing melanocytes in the mole and nearby […]
What Is Grover’s Disease? Itchy Chest Rash, Causes & Treatment Options
What Is Grover’s Disease? Itchy Chest Rash, Causes & Treatment Options Grover’s disease is an acquired inflammatory condition that produces small, itchy bumps, most often on the chest and central back. It is also called transient acantholytic dermatosis because small areas of epidermal cells lose their normal attachment to one another. The exact cause remains […]
What Is Granulomatous Rosacea? Facial Bumps, Triggers & Treatment Options
What Is Granulomatous Rosacea? Facial Bumps, Triggers & Treatment Options Granulomatous rosacea is an uncommon chronic inflammatory facial condition that produces firm, persistent papules or small nodules. The bumps may be skin-coloured, pink, red, yellow-brown, red-brown, or purple-brown, while flushing, diffuse redness, and visible vessels may be mild or absent. It is not acne or […]
What Is Granuloma Annulare? Ring-Shaped Skin Bumps, Causes & Treatment Options
What Is Granuloma Annulare? Ring-Shaped Skin Bumps, Causes & Treatment Options Granuloma annulare is a benign inflammatory skin condition that often creates smooth, firm bumps arranged in circular or semicircular patterns. The bumps may be skin-coloured, pink, red, reddish-brown, purple, or darker than nearby skin and usually have little or no surface scale. It is […]