List of skin viruses

There is currently no cure for vitiligo, but a range of treatments are available, including light therapy and topical medicines.

A person also has surgical options, and some alternative therapies may help, though scientists need to look further into their effectiveness.

Acne is one of the most widespread skin conditions. Symptoms can include:. Any person can get acne. People of Color may also develop dark spots, known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation , as a result. People can typically treat acne with medication.

For females, this may involve hormonal therapy, in some cases. Light therapy may also be effective. Hives are itchy, raised welts.

They may be pinkish or reddish in people with lighter skin. An allergic reaction is usually responsible, though stress , illness, and friction, such as from tight clothes, can be the cause. Hives typically form in clusters. They may go away in one part of the body and reappear in another. Treatment usually involves antihistamines or corticosteroids. The human papillomavirus , better known as HPV, causes warts , which are contagious. These bumps can appear on any part of the body, typically on the hands, feet, and joints.

Warts sometimes go away on their own, but a dermatologist may recommend removing them, depending on their type and location. This involves an overgrowth of fungus near, under, and around the nails. Usually , it affects the toenails. Different types of fungi can cause this infection, and the treatment may depend on the type. Doctors can prescribe oral or topical medications.

In some cases, they may need to remove the affected nail. A cold sore is a red, fluid-filled blister. These blisters usually appear near the mouth, and the affected skin may feel painful or delicate.

Before the blisters appear, there may be itchiness or a burning sensation. The herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, which may last for up to 2 weeks , then return periodically. While there is no cure, various treatments can reduce outbreaks. The overgrowth of the Candida albicans fungus causes this issue, and when it affects the skin, it is called cutaneous Candidiasis or cutaneous Moniliasis.

The areas may be irritated and have lesions or small pustules. Candidiasis typically develops in skin folds, such as the armpit or around the groin. Sometimes, it affects the face. People can usually prevent Candidiasis by boosting their skin hygiene and avoiding the overuse of antibiotics.

To treat it, doctors may prescribe antifungal and corticosteroid creams. The fungus responsible thrives in warm, damp conditions, such as inside sneakers. Symptoms may include dry, itchy, peeling skin. There can also be blisters and bleeding, and the skin between the toes or under the foot may be soggy, pale, cracked, or scaly.

Cancer involves cells growing uncontrollably, and it can happen anywhere. When it begins in the skin, doctors call it skin cancer. Although skin cancer can be life threatening, treatments can be effective if a doctor diagnoses the issue early. These cancers tend to occur after prolonged exposure to the sun. Darker skin produces more melanin, which gives the skin more protection from harmful sun rays.

Still, research shows that skin cancer tends to be diagnosed later in People of Color. This results in delayed medical care and a higher likelihood of death. This is the most common kind of skin cancer. It typically develops on the neck, arms, or head but can affect any area of the body. In a person with lighter skin, basal cell carcinoma may appear as a pink, round bump or patch. In someone with darker skin, the bump may be brown or black and may look like a common mole.

This is the second most common type of skin cancer. It often forms from dry, scaly patches called actinic keratoses. If a doctor does not detect squamous cell carcinoma early, it may grow deeper into the skin and cause disfigurement.

People with lighter skin tend to develop this cancer in areas often exposed to the sun. People with darker skin tend to develop it on the legs, genitals, and anus. It is a good idea to let a doctor know about any lesion that grows, changes, bleeds or looks unusual in any other way. Melanoma is the most serious of the skin cancers because it spreads most easily to other parts of the body. It is can develop from a mole or another pigmented area of skin.

If any mole is asymmetrical, has ragged edges or an uneven color, or changes in size, let a doctor know. In people with darker skin, melanoma may be harder to see, so checking carefully is especially important. Remember to include the toenails and fingernails, as this type of cancer is more common in these areas for People of Color.

A person with melanoma may need surgery, chemotherapy , or radiation treatment. Learn more about the different types of skin cancer and their treatments. Some skin conditions occur within the deeper layers of the skin. When Staphylococcus aureus bacteria make their way into the hair follicles and cause an infection, it can result in a carbuncle.

Streptococcus bacteria cause erysipelas. Minor things like athlete's foot or eczema can lead to erysipelas by causing a break in the skin.

It can also occur when bacteria spread to the nasal passages following a nose or throat infection. Bacterial folliculitis is a relatively common infection of the hair follicles.

It is usually caused by a fungus, ingrown hair, or blockages from moisturizers or other products applied to the skin. Shaving or plucking hairs can also increase risk. Symptoms of bacterial folliculitis include tiny, red bumps or white-headed pimples filled with pus. This infection tends to occur more often in people with acne than those who have clearer skin. While bacterial folliculitis usually heals on its own, more severe cases may require antibiotics. Left untreated, folliculitis can cause permanent hair loss.

Hot tub folliculitis causes pus-filled bumps and an itchy red rash. These symptoms come on a few hours to several days after exposure to the bacteria that cause it.

You can also become infected through water slides, physiotherapy pools, or even loofah sponges. Hot tub folliculitis typically shows up on the chest or groin, where water and bacteria have been trapped for a period of time. It is caused by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, which can even survive in chlorinated water. This makes it tougher to kill. Not surprisingly, children are more prone to hot tub folliculitis because their skin is thinner and they tend to stay in the water longer than adults.

Hot tub folliculitis is also more common in people with acne or dermatitis. That's because these conditions can allow the bacteria to get into the skin.

A furuncle , more commonly known as a boil , is a painful infection around a hair follicle. It begins as a red lump, which may be tender, and rapidly fills with pus as it gets bigger. If left untreated, a furuncle can develop into an abscess. Unlike folliculitis, which also involves infection of a hair follicle, a furuncle is an infection of the entire pilosebaceous unit. Pilosebaceous units are made up of a hair shaft, follicle, sebaceous gland , and arrector pili muscle a bundle of small muscle fibers attached to a hair follicle.

These are located throughout the body except on the palms, soles of the feet, and lower lip. Furuncles are commonly found on the face, neck, armpits, buttocks, and thighs. Applying warm compresses can help drain a furuncle of pus. But in severe cases, your doctor may need to lance puncture it with a sterile instrument to allow it to drain. A carbuncle is a cluster of several furuncles closely packed together. It can be as large as 4 inches across and usually has one or more openings where pus may ooze onto the skin.

The infection may also cause a fever, general weakness, and exhaustion. Carbuncles usually develop on the back, thighs, or back of the neck. The infection tends to be deeper and more severe than those caused by furuncles. The most common cause of a carbuncle is staph bacteria.

The risk of scarring is higher with a carbuncle infection, and it may take longer to develop and get better than furuncles. For this reason, carbuncles often require medical attention. In addition, they are contagious and can spread to other parts of the body and other people. Impetigo is a bacterial infection of the top layer of epidermal skin. It is highly contagious and more commonly seen in children than adults.

Caused by Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, the impetigo rash is covered by a honey-colored crust. The sores from this bacterial infection usually occur around the nose and mouth. But it can spread to other parts of the body through skin-to-skin contact, clothing, and towels. Impetigo is usually treated with topical antibiotics.

Erythrasma is a superficial skin infection caused by the Corynebacterium minutissimum bacteria. At the beginning, symptoms include well-defined pink patches of skin covered with fine scales and wrinkling. The rash becomes red, then brown and scaly.

Erythrasma develops in areas where skin touches skin, such as the armpits, groin, or between the toes. Due to its location and appearance, it's often confused with fungal infections like athlete's foot and jock itch. People with erythrasma usually have no symptoms. But mild itchiness or burning may be present, especially if the infection is in the groin area.

Erythrasma commonly develops in warm, humid climates. Other risk factors include:. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA is a serious bacterial infection that is resistant to standard antibiotic treatment. It will often cause a mild, blister-like sore on the skin. Sometimes MRSA leads to serious infections. Localised skin and mucosal conditions caused by viral infections include:. In the future, we expect to classify more skin conditions as viral in origin as more sophisticated tests for viral particles become available.

Viral infections including viral hepatitis sometimes give rise to:. Books about skin diseases Books about the skin Dermatology Made Easy book. DermNet NZ does not provide an online consultation service.

If you have any concerns with your skin or its treatment, see a dermatologist for advice.