Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick (commonly the deer tick). Early symptoms may include fever, chills, fatigue, headache, body aches, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans.

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Melasma is a common skin condition where affected individuals develop splotchy, irregularly shaped, brown patches on the face. Common areas of involvement include the forehead, cheeks, nose, jawline, chin, and upper lip. It typically affects women between the ages of 20 and 40, and is more common in

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A mole, also known as a nevus (plural: nevi), is a very common skin growth. Moles develop as a result of clusters of melanocytes (pigment producing cells) in the skin. Although a mole can be present at birth (called a congenital nevus), most nevi appear during childhood and adolescence. Most people have

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Molluscum, or molluscum contagiosum, is a common viral skin infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). This benign condition typically presents with pink, round bumps with a central indentation. The number of bumps can range in number (few to hundreds) and in size (1-6mm). The bumps can

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Morphea, also known as localized scleroderma, is a rare condition that causes scar-like changes to the skin. Morphea commonly presents as oval lesions on the trunk (chest, abdomen, and/or back). It can also present as a linear stripe on the arms, legs, and even the forehead or scalp. In its initial inflammatory

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A neurofibroma is a benign, non-cancerous, nerve tumor that presents as a soft, flesh colored, bump on or under the skin. It can occur in isolation as a non-worrisome skin growth or rarely, when numerous lesions are present, as an association with a genetic condition known as neurofibromatosis. Most

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Non-surgical body contouring refers to cosmetic treatments which are non-invasive that are used to help individuals eliminate fat, shape or contour areas of the body, and tighten skin. Lipolysis, the medical term for destruction of fat cells, is one example of technology used for nonsurgical body contouring.

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Nummular dermatitis is a type of eczema characterized by intensely itchy, red, scaly, and at times weeping or oozing, coin-shaped lesions. Nummular dermatitis typically affects the extremities, with the legs being the most common site of involvement. The condition can occur at any age, with men being

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A cold sore is a blister or a cluster of blisters that typically form on or around the lips and mouth. Affected people can experience recurrent bouts of blister outbreaks, often triggered by sun exposure, hormonal fluctuations, stress, illness, or injury. The condition is caused by an infection by the

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Pemphigus is a rare group of autoimmune skin diseases that causes painful blisters on the skin and/or mucous membranes (lips, mouth, esophagus, nose, eyes, genitals). The different types of pemphigus include: pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus vegetans, pemphigus foliaceus, endemic pemphigus, pemphigus erythematosus,

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Perioral dermatitis is a type of rash that typically presents as pink papules (small red bumps) and scaling around the mouth. In addition to affecting the area around the mouth, it can also appear around the nose or eyes and can be referred to as periorificial dermatitis. The exact cause of perioral

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Pityriasis alba is often thought of as a low grade form of eczema. It presents with ill-defined, light colored (hypopigmented), slightly scaly patches of skin most commonly found on the face. It affects mainly children and adolescents and is often more noticeable in darker skin tones or tanned skin.

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Pityriasis rosea is a common, self-limited rash that typically begins with the appearance of a solitary, enlarging, circular, pink, scaly patch - known as the “herald patch”. In the following 1-2 weeks, numerous smaller, round to oval, pink, scaly patches appear, typically on the trunk in a Christmas-tree-like

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Prurigo nodularis is a condition where repeated scratching or picking at a site creates itchy, raised, hard bumps on the skin. Prurigo nodularis can appear anywhere on the body, but is most commonly found on the arms, legs, trunk, or buttocks. The condition is more common in older individuals (over 50),

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Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a chronic inflammatory condition that predominantly affects Black men. Affected individuals develop pink papules and pustules around the hair follicles on the face and neck due to shaving. As the papules and pustules resolve, it can result in hyperpigmentation (darker discoloration)

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OVERVIEW Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes your skin cells to multiply too quickly. As a result, your skin becomes itchy, flaky, and inflamed as this sped-up growth cycle interferes with the typical skin turnover process. Psoriasis is not a contagious condition. It also cannot be

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Pyogenic granulomas are benign vascular growths that grow rapidly and frequently present as raised, red lesions that bleed with minor trauma. These lesions are most commonly found on the face or fingers, but can also develop on other parts of the skin or oral mucosa (lips or gums). Children, teenagers,

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Rosacea is a common skin condition which presents with redness of the face, small visible blood vessels on the nose and cheeks, and pimple-like breakouts. Rosacea can also affect the eyes (ocular rosacea) presenting with symptoms such as dryness, redness, burning, and itching of the eyes. Rosacea most

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Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory condition where the immune system goes into overdrive, creating clusters of inflamed tissue called granulomas to form in different parts of the body. Though it can affect many organ systems such as the skin, eyes, heart, and nervous system, involvement of the lungs and

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Scabies is an intensely itchy rash caused by an infestation with a burrowing mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. Infected individuals develop pink papules, excoriations, nodules, and burrows (thread like tracks in the skin). These findings mainly affect the hands, wrists, axillae (armpits), feet, waistline,

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Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune condition that causes the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissue underneath it. The condition can also impact underlying blood vessels and organs. Affected individuals may exhibit Raynaud’s phenomenon - a condition where the fingers and toes may

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Sebaceous hyperplasia are benign, non-worrisome, enlarged oil gland growths. They present as pinkish orange or yellow papules, sometimes with a central dell, most commonly found on the central face of middle aged or older people. Sebaceous hyperplasia can also be found on the chest, areola, mouth, or

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Seborrheic dermatitis is a very common skin condition which presents with itchy, red patches of skin, greasy scales, and flaking. Common areas of involvement include the scalp, ears, eyebrow region, and sides of the nose. It typically occurs in infants younger than 3 months of age and in adults ages

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Seborrheic keratoses are very common skin growths that tend to develop with age. They are benign and not worrisome. These growths are commonly found on the head, neck, chest, or back, though they can appear anywhere on the body with the exception of the palms and soles. Seborrheic keratoses can be white,

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Shingles is a rash caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus (also known as the varicella zoster virus or VZV). Classically, the rash affects only one side of the body, within a single stripe or band known as a dermatome. There may be a prodrome consisting of pain, itching, or tingling localized

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Dry skin is a common skin condition that results when the skin loses moisture and its natural oils resulting in scaling, flaking, cracking, and itching. It is sometimes also referred to as xeroderma or xerosis. Dry skin affects people of any age and skin type and can occur anywhere on the body. Dry skin

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Skin tags are very common, benign, skin growths. They present as fleshy outgrowths of the skin, at times extending from a stalk or stem. They are frequently found in areas of high friction such as around the neck, in the axilla (armpits), or in the groin folds. They are usually flesh colored, but can

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Stasis dermatitis is a type of eczema that develops on the lower legs as a result of poor circulation. In affected people, the valves in the deep leg veins that help push blood back to the heart begin to fail, leading to the leakage of fluid, varicose veins, and subsequent swelling of the lower legs.

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Stretch marks are a type of scar that occurs when the skin stretches rapidly. Examples include: growth spurts during puberty, pregnancy, rapid weight loss or gain, and bodybuilding. It can appear as pinkish, purplish, or flesh colored linear bands or streaks on the skin that are depressed or indented.

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Protection from UV radiation is important all year round, even on cloudy or cold days. UV radiation can even reflect off water, sand, and snow. Below are some tips on sun safety: Use sunscreen. Pick a broad spectrum sunscreen (one which blocks both UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF 30 or higher. Apply liberally,

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Sunscreen use is critical to protecting your skin from UV radiation. Wearing the right sunscreen will allow you to maximize your time in the sun while being protected from its harmful rays. Dermatologists recommend picking a broad spectrum sunscreen (one which blocks both UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF

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The sun emits UV radiation in the form of UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA rays, which are the longest, penetrate the deepest in the skin and are responsible for tanning and premature aging. UVB rays are shorter and responsible for vitamin D production in the skin. UVB rays are also the cause of sunburning. UVC

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Tinea refers to a group of fungal infections which can affect the skin, hair, and nails. The specific name of the infection depends on the affected area of the body. A few common examples include: tinea capitis (infection of the scalp/head) - often referred to as ringworm tinea corporis (infection

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Tinea versicolor, also called pityriasis versicolor, is a common skin infection caused by the overgrowth of a yeast. Typically, it presents as patchy areas of lighter or darker discoloration on the trunk and shoulders that can be scaly in appearance. It can affect anyone, but is more common in teens

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Urticaria is the medical term for hives - a common skin rash which presents with itchy pink welts. The welts can vary in size, shape, and distribution. A defining characteristic is that the individual lesions are transient, appearing and resolving within a 24 hour period. So, even though an individual

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