Skin Conditions

Last updated: 8 February 2010

Introduction

Millions of people worldwide suffer from skin conditions, which have the potential to disrupt their lives and lifestyles in many ways. To provide a greater understanding of some of these conditions, some of the most common skin disorders as well as some rarer light related skin disorders are listed below.

Articles with Overview and In-Depth content on each of these conditions can be found on the Clinuvel Photoprotection site.

Common skin disorders

Acne Vulgaris

Acne vulgaris, commonly referred to as acne, is a skin condition characterised by whiteheads, blackheads and inflamed red pimples. It is a very common skin condition in adolescents and affects a significant minority of adults. Read more about acne vulgaris...

Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

Atopic Dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is one of the most common chronic inflammatory skin diseases. It is characterised by itchiness and associated defects in the skin barrier. Read more about Atopic Dermatitis...

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection (called cold sores and genital herpes depending on the site of infection) is a common infection which results from contact with persons or hosts who have the infection. Read more about Herpes Simplex Virus...

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) typically infects the cells of the skin and results in warts. Read more about Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)...

Polymorphous Light Eruption (PLE)

Also known as PLE, PME or PMLE, Polymorphic Light Eruption is the most common skin disorder characterized by photosensitivity and, after sunburn, is the most common sun-related problem seen by doctors. Read more about Polymorphous Light Eruption (PLE)...

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the skin in which both genetic and environmental factors are thought to be an influence. It is characterized by thick, red skin with overlying silver-white patches called scales, also commonly referred to as Psoriatic plaques. Read more about Psoriasis...

Rosacea

Rosacea is a very common, chronic disease of the skin where facial veins become highly reactive. It is often characterized by frequent or persistent flushing in the central area of the face, swelling and/or acne like appearance. Read more about Rosacea...

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD)

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a form of eczema and a common, inflammatory skin disorder that affects infants and adults. Read more about Seborrheic dermatitis (SD)...

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)

The varicella zoster virus (VZV) is the cause of chickenpox (varicella), and shingles (herpes zoster). Read more about varicella zoster virus (VZV)...

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a common pigmentary disorder in which the pigment producing cells of the skin (melanocytes) are absent or not functioning properly. Read more about Vitligo...

Skin cancer and pre-cancers

Actinic Keratosis (AK)

Actinic Keratoses are collections of abnormal skin cells found in the upper layers of skin that develop after prolonged exposure to sun light. AKs are precancerous lesions. Read more about Actinic Keratosis (AK)...

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is a form of skin cancer that arises from the cells of the lower (i.e. basal) part of the outer layer of the skin. BCC is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer and is the most common cancer in the world, but is rarely fatal, as the cancer’s ability to invade other tissues and organs is limited. Read more about Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)...

Melanoma

More information on melanoma will be online shortly.

Incidence: The incidence of melanoma varies geographically. Australia has the highest incidence, with 1 in 25 people succumbing to the disease in their lifetime, compared to 1 in 5000 in the USA and European countries .

Causes: High peaks to sun exposure (eg. sunburn in childhood) and overall lifetime overexposure to ultraviolet radiation contributes substantially to melanoma 

Symptoms: Melanomas can present themselves as moles in areas all over the body, from both areas that are constantly, and never, exposed to the sun. Along with being found on the skin, they can present themselves under finger or toe nails, in the mouth, digestive tract, vagina, and in the eye.

The self -examination guide can be used to detect melanomas or other skin cancers:

    A (asymmetrical): moles with an irregular shape may be skin cancers or melanoma.

    B (border): melanomas have irregular, ragged or blurred borders.

    C (colour): melanomas may have a changing or irregular colour, which can range between black, brown and blue.

    D (diameter): growths larger than 6mm (1/4 diameter) may suggest melanoma.

    E (evolving): check for any moles that appear to change shape, colour or size.

Other symptoms of a changing mole to be wary of are itching, a change in texture, and oozing or bleeding.

Treatment: Surgical removal, such as excision or mohs surgery, is used to remove melanomas. When the cancer grows, it is able to spread (metastasis) via the blood stream, which gives it access to distant organs, where it can form secondary tumours. Advanced melanomas are treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.

Online resources:
Body Mole Map from the American Academy of Dermatology
AT-RISC Alliance - Dedicated to the reduction of incidence and severity of skin cancer in organ transplant patients
A-Z of Skin: Types of Skin Cancers. Includes images and differences between three main types of Skin Cancer from the Australasian College of Dermatologists
Skin self examination: how to perform a self examination for skin cancers, with images from DermNet NZ
Types of skin cancer - quick reference guide with images from SunSmart Victoria

Online associations:
Melanoma International Foundation
Melanoma Patients Australia
American Melanoma Foundation
The Melanoma Foundation (Australia)
British Skin Foundation
Cancer Council Australia
Skin and Cancer Foundation Victoria
International Transplant Skin Cancer Collaboration (ITSCC)
The Skin Cancer Foundation (USA)
Society for Melanoma Research
Melanoma Research Foundation

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant skin tumour. Invasive SCC indicates that the cancer cells have grown into the deeper layers of the skin (dermis), whereas the term in-situ SCC indicate that the cancer cells remain in the upper layers of the skin (epidermis). SCC is a very common form of skin cancer. Read more about Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)...

Less common skin disorders

Albinism

Albinism is an inherited genetic condition that occurs when the body is unable to produce or distribute melanin, our own body’s pigment. Read more about Albinism...

Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP)

Also known as EPP, Erythropoietic Protoporphyria is a rare inherited metabolic disorder of the heme pathway. Read more about Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP)....

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and Phototoxicity

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a systemic treatment used in oncology by a variety of specialists to eradicate premalignant and early-stage cancer and reduce the tumour size in end-stage cancers. Applied PDT in dermatology is a localized procedure used to treat skin cancers and some other benign skin conditions. Read more about Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and Phototoxicity...

Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT)

Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT) is one the most frequent disorders of a group of disorders (the Porphyrias) that can be acquired or inherited. Read more about Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT)...

Solar Urticaria (SU)

Solar Urticaria (SU) is a rare and severe disorder following exposure to sun and or light, occurring in less than 1% of the population. Read more about Solar Urticaria...

Urticaria Pigmentosa (UP)

Urticaria Pigmentosa (UP) is a rare disease that affects the skin and occasionally other parts of the body. UP is a type of mastocytosis (also known as mastocytoma), which affects a sub-type of immune cells known as mast cells. Read more about Urticaria Pigmentosa (UP)...

Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP)

Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) is a rare, hereditary disease where the skin is extremely sensitive to sunlight and ages prematurely. Read more about Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP)...