This document provides information on various non-contagious skin disorders and conditions, including acne, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, hives, psoriasis, skin cancer, actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, bedsores, scars, vitiligo, bullous pemphigoid and more. It describes the causes, symptoms and treatments for each condition at a basic level.

1. Non-contagious Skin
Disorders/Neoplastic Skin
Disorders/Skin Injuries

2. Acne Vulgaris
Acne vulgaris is a common chronic
skin disease involving blockage and/or
inflammation of pilosebaceous units (hair
follicles and their accompanying
sebaceous gland). Acne can present as
non inflammatory lesions, inflammatory
lesions, or a mixture of both, affecting
mostly the face but also the back and
chest

4. Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a
condition that makes your skin red and
itchy. It's common in children but can
occur at any age. Atopic dermatitis is long
lasting (chronic) and tends to flare
periodically and then subside. It may be
accompanied by asthma or hay fever.

6. Contact Dermatitis
• Contact dermatitis is a red, itchy rash
caused by a substance that comes into
contact with your skin. The rash isn't
contagious or life-threatening, but it can be
very uncomfortable.
• Possible causes include soaps, cosmetics,
fragrances, jewelry, and plants, such as
poison ivy or poison oak. Some people are
exposed to substances at work that may
cause contact dermatitis.

7. Contact Dermatitis
• To treat contact dermatitis successfully,
you need to identify and avoid the cause of
your reaction. If you can avoid the
offending substance, the rash usually
clears up in two to four weeks. You can try
soothing your skin with cool, wet
compresses, anti-itch creams and other
self-care steps.

9. Hives (Urticaria)
• Hives are red and sometimes itchy bumps
on your skin. An allergic reaction to a drug
or food usually causes them. Allergic
reactions cause your body to release
chemicals that can make your skin swell
up in hives. People who have other
allergies are more likely to get hives than
other people. Other causes include
infections and stress.

10. Hives (Urticaria)
• Hives are very common. They usually go
away on their own, but if you have a
serious case, you might need medicine or
a shot. In rare cases, hives can cause a
dangerous swelling in your airways,
making it hard to breathe - which is a
medical emergency.

12. Psoriasis
• Psoriasis is a common skin condition that
changes the life cycle of skin cells.
Psoriasis causes cells to build up rapidly
on the surface of the skin. The extra skin
cells form thick, silvery scales and itchy,
dry, red patches that are sometimes
painful.
• Psoriasis is a persistent, long-lasting
(chronic) disease. There may be times
when your psoriasis symptoms get better
alternating with times your psoriasis
worsens.

13. Psoriasis
• The primary goal of treatment is to stop
the skin cells from growing so quickly.
While there isn't a cure, psoriasis
treatments may offer significant relief.
Lifestyle measures, such as using a
nonprescription cortisone cream and
exposing your skin to small amounts of
natural sunlight, also may improve your
psoriasis symptoms.

15. Skin Cancer
• Skin cancer — the abnormal growth of
skin cells — most often develops on skin
exposed to the sun. But this common form
of cancer can also occur on areas of your
skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.
• There are three major types of skin cancer
— basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell
carcinoma and melanoma.

16. Skin Cancer
• You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by
limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet
(UV) radiation. Checking your skin for
suspicious changes can help detect skin
cancer at its earliest stages. Early
detection of skin cancer gives you the
greatest chance for successful skin cancer
treatment.

18. Actinic Keratosis
• An actinic keratosis (ak-TIN-ik ker-uh-
TOE-sis) is a rough, scaly patch on your
skin that develops from years of exposure
to the sun. It's most commonly found on
your face, lips, ears, back of your hands,
forearms, scalp or neck.
• Also known as solar keratosis, an actinic
keratosis enlarges slowly and usually
causes no signs or symptoms other than a
patch or small spot on your skin. These
lesions take years to develop, usually first
appearing in older adults.

19. Actinic Keratosis
• A small percentage of actinic keratosis
lesions can eventually become skin
cancer. You can reduce your risk of actinic
keratosis by minimizing your sun exposure
and protecting your skin from ultraviolet
(UV) rays.

21. Basal Cell Carcinoma
• Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin
cancer. Basal cell carcinoma begins in the
basal cells — a type of cell within the skin
that produces new skin cells as old ones
die off.
• Basal cell carcinoma often appears as a
waxy bump, though it can take other
forms. Basal cell carcinoma occurs most
often on areas of the skin that are often
exposed to the sun, such as your face and
neck.
•

22. Basal Cell Carcinoma
• Most basal cell carcinomas are thought to
be caused by long-term exposure to
ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight.
Avoiding the sun and using sunscreen
may help protect against basal cell
carcinoma.

24. Malignant Melanoma
• Melanoma, the most serious type of skin
cancer, develops in the cells
(melanocytes) that produce melanin the
pigment that gives your skin its color.
Melanoma can also form in your eyes and,
rarely, in internal organs, such as your
intestines.
• The exact cause of all melanomas isn't
clear, but exposure to ultraviolet (UV)
radiation from sunlight or tanning lamps
and beds increases your risk of developing
melanoma. Limiting your exposure to UV
radiation can help reduce your risk of
melanoma.

25. Malignant Melanoma
• The risk of melanoma seems to be
increasing in people under 40, especially
women. Knowing the warning signs of skin
cancer can help ensure that cancerous
changes are detected and treated before
the cancer has spread. Melanoma can be
treated successfully if it is detected early.

27. Bedsores(Pressure
Sores)
• Bedsores — also called pressure sores or
pressure ulcers — are injuries to skin and
underlying tissue resulting from prolonged
pressure on the skin. Bedsores most often
develop on skin that covers bony areas of
the body, such as the heels, ankles, hips
and tailbone.
• People most at risk of bedsores are those
with a medical condition that limits their
ability to change positions, requires them
to use a wheelchair or confines them to a
bed for a long time.

28. Bedsores(Pressure
Sores)
• Bedsores can develop quickly and are
often difficult to treat. Several things can
help prevent some bedsores and help with
healing.

30. Scar
• A scar is a permanent patch of skin that
grows over a wound. It forms when your
body heals itself after a cut, scrape, burn,
or sore. You can also get scars from
surgery that cuts through the skin,
infections like chickenpox, or skin
conditions likeacne. Scars are often
thicker, as well as pinker, redder, or
shinier, than the rest of your skin.

32. Vitiligo
• Vitiligo (vit-ih-LIE-go) is a disease that
causes the loss of skin color in blotches.
The extent and rate of color loss from
vitiligo is unpredictable. It can affect the
skin on any part of your body. It may also
affect hair, the inside of the mouth and
even the eyes.
• Normally, the color of hair, skin and eyes
is determined by melanin. Vitiligo occurs
when the cells that produce melanin die or
stop functioning.

33. Vitiligo
• Vitiligo affects people of all skin types, but
it may be more noticeable in people with
darker skin. The condition is not life-threatening
or contagious. It can be
stressful or make you feel bad about
yourself. Treatment for vitiligo may
improve the appearance of the affected
skin but does not cure the disease.

35. Bullous Pemphigoid
• Bullous pemphigoid (BUL-us PEM-fih-goid)
is a rare skin condition that causes
large, fluid-filled blisters on areas of skin
that often flex — such as the lower
abdomen, upper thighs or armpits. Bullous
pemphigoid is most common in people
older than age 60.
• Bullous pemphigoid occurs when your
immune system attacks a thin layer of
tissue below your outer layer of skin. The
reason for this abnormal immune response
is unknown, although it sometimes can be
triggered by taking certain medications.

36. Bullous Pemphigoid
• Treatment usually includes corticosteroids,
such as prednisone, and other drugs that
suppress the immune system. Bullous
pemphigoid can be life-threatening,
especially for older people who are
already in poor health.

38. THE END