15 Common Skin Diseases in Adults: Images and Treatments

There are more than 10 common skin diseases seen in adults, such as acne, atopic dermatitis (eczema), cold sores, hives, and psoriasis. It can be difficult to identify these skin problems by images alone.

These conditions often share symptoms like burning and itching. Rashes that appear red in people with lighter skin tones or brown or purple in people with darker skin tones are also common.

Common causes include bacteria, viruses, allergens, irritants, and immune system dysfunction. If you suspect an infection or underlying condition that may require treatment, it's important to see a healthcare provider.

1. Acne

Acne occurs when oil and dead skin cells clog the pores. Pimples under the skin's surface that erupt with a white center are called whiteheads. Pimples exposed to air are called blackheads and look black. 

Other skin blemishes may form, including:

• Cysts
• Nodules
• Pink bumps
• Red, pus-filled pimples

Acne usually appears on the face, back, neck, chest, and shoulders. Bacteria called Cutibacterium acnes, hormone changes, and inflammation can play a role when pimples crop up. Some hormones trigger excess oil production, resulting in clogged pores. Adolescents are more prone to acne than others.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on a few factors, such as where acne appears, the type you have, and your age. Options may include:

• Corticosteroid injections for large, painful acne breakouts
• Diet changes
• Laser or light therapy
• Oral medications, like antibiotics or retinoids
• Topical medications, like retinoids or benzoyl peroxide

2. Atopic Dermatitis

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Dermatitis (eczema) is a dry, itchy skin condition that can occur anywhere. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type. It's due to an overactive immune system and usually occurs in childhood. A deficiency in a protein called filaggrin that helps skin maintain water content or moisture can trigger this condition.

Atopic dermatitis can also cause certain types of blistering. It may be chronic, but it's not contagious. People with severe eczema are at a higher risk for food allergies and asthma. 

Treatment Options

Treatments for atopic dermatitis may include:

• Antihistamines
• Immunosuppressant medicines that reduce immune system response
• Light therapy
• Steroids (used short-term)
• Topical medicines
• Trigger avoidance, where a person avoids the allergens or irritants that cause flares

3. Cellulitis

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Cellulitis is the likely diagnosis when bacteria infect the skin layers and tissue below the skin. The skin may be discolored, swollen, tender, and feel warm to the touch.

You may develop cellulitis anywhere on the skin. It typically appears on one lower leg in adults and on the face or neck in children.

Treatment Options

Cellulitis is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment. The main treatment is an antibiotic, but people may need to take more than one in some cases. Other options include wound care, rest, and elevation for cellulitis on the leg.

4. Cold Sores (Fever Blisters)

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A viral infection usually causes cold sores (fever blisters), which are contagious. Cold sores are tiny, painful, fluid-filled blisters. 

Type 1 of the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) causes cold sores, also called oral herpes. Type 2 of the herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) affects the genital region. HSV-1 can also spread from the mouth to the genitals.

Cold sores often appear in clusters on or around the lips. You may experience a tingling sensation in the affected area before a breakout.

Treatment Options

There's no cure for cold sores, and they often go away after a few weeks without treatment. Antiviral medications can speed recovery.

5. Contact Dermatitis

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Contact dermatitis causes skin rashes that are inflamed and usually discolored and uncomfortable. This inflammation is an immune response to foreign substances that come into contact with your body.

There are two types of contact dermatitis: irritant and allergic. Irritating substances like acids, detergents, fabric softeners, and soaps cause irritant contact dermatitis. Allergens like antibiotics, fabric and clothing, nail polish, nickel, and poison ivy can cause allergic contact dermatitis.

Treatment Options

The main treatment for contact dermatitis is to avoid the irritant or allergen. Other treatments depend on what's caused the rash, and options may include:

• Antihistamines for itch relief
• Baths
• Cortisone creams for redness, swelling, and itch
• Immunosuppressive medications or injections
• Lotions
• Moisturizers

6. Dry Skin

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Dry skin is the result of your skin losing a lot of water. You may develop dry skin due to environmental factors like low humidity or high heat.

You might notice flaky, rough skin or skin that cracks or itches. Some people have dry skin that's painful, stinging, burning, or peeling.

Treatment Options

Moisturizers are helpful for healing and hydrating your skin. You may also need to treat any underlying conditions, like eczema or psoriasis, that cause dry skin.

7. Hives (Urticaria)

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Hives (urticaria) are itchy, raised welts that can be red or skin-colored. About 20% of people experience hives at some point in their lives. Many cases occur due to an allergic reaction.

Possible triggers include:

• Foods
• Insect bites
• Latex exposure
• Pet dander
• Medications
• Viral infections

Treatment Options

Hives are usually temporary, but some people can develop chronic hives. A healthcare provider will likely recommend an antihistamine to block or reduce your body's allergic response and ease itching. They may temporarily prescribe corticosteroids to address the inflammation and bring relief in severe cases.

8. Lupus

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Lupus is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the body attacks its own tissues and organs. Lupus can affect many body parts, so you can develop various symptoms, such as:

• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Headaches
• Sensitivity to the sun
• Swelling in the legs or around the eyes

Some forms of lupus only affect the skin. You may notice the following symptoms:

• A butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose, which is a classic sign of lupus 
• Painless sores in the nose and mouth
• Raised, disc-shaped, discolored patches on sun-exposed areas 
• Round, scaly rashes anywhere on your body

Treatment Options

There's no cure for lupus. Treatments like anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants can manage flares.

9. Psoriasis

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Psoriasis is a skin condition that speeds up skin cell development. The body makes skin cells quicker than normal by creating them in a few days instead of weeks.

Plaque psoriasis, the most common type, produces piles of skin cells on the skin. The plaques look silvery-white and appear most commonly on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp.

Treatment Options

Topical medications and light therapy may treat psoriasis. System-wide drugs, which work throughout the body, can also help.

10. Ringworm

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Ringworm is a fungal skin infection that appears as an itchy, round patch with a clear center on many areas of the skin. Despite its name, ringworm is not actually caused by a worm.

Ringworm of the scalp, which is called tinea capitis, can cause discolored, scaly bald spots. Athlete's foot is ringworm of the foot. It can cause peeling, cracking, and blisters. It's called jock itch when ringworm affects the groin.

Treatment Options

Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection. A healthcare provider will prescribe antifungal drugs to get rid of it.

11. Rosacea

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Rosacea is a skin condition that causes facial redness and sometimes burning or stinging. Other symptoms may include acne-like skin sores, a red nose, and bloodshot, irritated, and watery eyes.

There is no known cause for rosacea. However, people with lighter skin tones, those aged 30 to 50, and women are more likely to develop it.

Treatment Options

Rosacea is incurable but treatable. Potential treatments include trigger avoidance, antibiotics, laser surgery, or nose tissue surgery.

12. Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

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A painful rash with blisters is a hallmark sign of shingles. A shingles rash wraps like a band across one side of the face or body.

Shingles only affect people who have previously had chickenpox. The virus that causes chickenpox, or varicella-zoster virus (VZV), lays dormant in the nerve cells. It later reactivates to cause shingles.

The first signs of shingles include skin sensitivity, itching, tingling, or pain. Days later, a rash of tiny fluid-filled blisters develops. People with shingles can give chickenpox to others, usually children, if they've never had the illness.

Treatment Options

Healthcare providers usually prescribe antiviral drugs to treat shingles. These medications are most effective when you start them as soon as a rash develops.

13. Skin Cancer

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Non-melanoma skin cancer frequently affects sun-exposed areas, including the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. There are two types of non-melanoma skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

BCC may look like round, flesh-colored growths, a pearl-like bump, or a pink skin patch. SCC may form a firm red bump, scaly patch, or a sore.

Melanoma (shown above) is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It may cause dark spots, changes in moles, or a bruise that doesn't heal.

Treatment Options

Treatment for skin cancer can include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. A healthcare provider can recommend a treatment plan based on the type of skin cancer and its severity.

14. Vitiligo

There are different types of vitiligo. People with this skin condition develop white or lighter patches of skin, usually on both sides of the body. Some people have localized vitiligo, in which only a few white spots appear. Others can have it on larger swaths of skin.

The cause of vitiligo is not fully understood. Some evidence suggests that vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks pigment-producing cells.

Treatment Options

Vitiligo doesn't require treatment. However, if you prefer to treat the condition, a healthcare provider may prescribe light therapy and topical creams to ease symptoms.

15. Warts

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Warts are bumpy skin growths that usually appear on the hands. Foot warts on the soles of the feet, known as plantar warts, tend to be hard and painful when you walk on them.

Warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) and can be contagious. On the surface of warts, tiny black dots that look like seeds, which are dried blood from tiny blood vessels, may appear.

Treatment Options

Warts often go away on their own, particularly in children. A healthcare provider can remove painful or bothersome warts using peeling medicines, acids, or freezing.

Causes of Skin Diseases

There are various causes of skin diseases, which include:

• Allergens or irritants (e.g., certain metals, poison ivy)
• Genetics
• Germs, including bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses
• Immune system dysfunction

To diagnose skin diseases, a healthcare provider typically considers your health history and physical symptoms. Assessing the size, shape, location, and color of bumps, blisters, and rashes can help them pinpoint the exact cause.

Other non-skin symptoms may also offer clues. A healthcare provider can sometimes remove a growth or take a skin sample for examination under a microscope.

When To Consult a Healthcare Provider

You'll want to see a board-certified dermatologist or healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about your skin. You'll also want to consult a healthcare provider if you:

• Experience other symptoms—such as fever, fatigue, or shortness of breath—alongside skin symptoms
• Have rashes that are painful, blistering, or infected
• Have skin problems that don't go away or worsen

Prevention

You may not be able to prevent all types of skin diseases. There are still ways to reduce the risk of a skin infection, such as:

• Keep your nails clean and trimmed
• Make sure your skin is clean and moisturized to avoid cracks in dry skin
• Opt for shoes and loose, moisture-wicking clothing at the gym, especially if you're near pools or in locker rooms and showers
• See a healthcare provider if you develop an infection, such as ringworm. Untreated skin infections can worsen and cause complications.
• Treat wounds promptly. Wash them, apply an antibiotic cream, cover them with a clean bandage, and change the dressing daily.
• Wash your hands with soap and water regularly

A Quick Review

Common skin diseases include acne, atopic dermatitis, cold sores, hives, and psoriasis. These skin concerns share similar symptoms, including burning, itching, and skin discoloration. This makes it difficult to identify skin diseases by images alone.

The causes and treatments for these skin diseases vary. It's important to consult a healthcare provider, such as a dermatologist, for diagnosis and treatment.