Top 10 Most Common Skin Conditions

Many skin conditions can affect anyone regardless of their age, sex or skin type. It can be difficult to determine what the issue is if you're having problem skin, so this article lists 10 of the most common skin conditions such as acne and eczema, including a brief description of each along with causes, symptoms and treatments available.

List Of The Most Common Skin Conditions

Acne

Overview. Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the world, estimated to affect roughly 9.4% of the global population [1]. Although more common in teenagers due to hormonal changes, it can often affect adults too and although usually harmless to physical health, the appearance of acne can affect mental health and has been associated with depression and anxiety [2].

Causes. The skin has small holes known as pores that connect to oil glands beneath the skin via a follicle. The glands produce sebum which can be increased by hormones known as androgens, potentially clogging the pores, leading to inflammation and the formation of spots.

Symptoms. Acne present as spots, typically on the face but it can appear on the back, chest and shoulders as well as other parts of the body. There are different types of spots including blackheads, whiteheads and papules, as well as larger and sometimes painful spots including pustules, nodules and cysts which can cause scarring.

Treatment. There are a wide range of treatments available for acne, including natural treatments, over-the-counter treatments and prescription only medications for more severe cases.

For more information, check out our detailed acne guide here.

Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)

Overview. As the name implies, this is a fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet, usually between the toes, that can cause blisters.

Causes. Athlete’s foot is caused by fungi known as dermatophytes that live on your skin. They thrive in warm, moist environments which can lead to symptoms of athletes foot.

Symptoms. The condition typically presents as itchy, sore white patches between your toes that look like blisters with peeling skin.

Treatment. Athlete’s foot is unlikely to improve on its own but there are a number of anti-fungal creams, sprays and powders available over-the-counter that typically work within a few weeks. It’s advisable to dry your feet after washing them, making sure to wash the towel afterwards, and wear clean socks every day [3].

Eczema

Overview. Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is a common skin condition often found in infants and children characterized by dry, itchy patches of skin. It’s not contagious, and symptoms can flare up sometimes for just a few days or persist over long periods of time.

Causes. The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but it's believed to be a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Those with a family history of eczema, asthma or hay fever are more likely to develop eczema themselves.

Symptoms. Eczema presents as dry, itchy and inflamed areas of the skin, often localized to small areas such as the hands.

Treatment. Although there is no cure for eczema, there are a number of both natural and prescription-only treatments available to help manage symptoms, including anti-inflammatory and moisturizing ingredients found in various skincare products, and topical corticosteroids for more severe cases.

For more information, read our in-depth eczema article here.

Psoriasis

Overview. Psoriasis is another common skin condition that leads to red, scaly patches on the skin which can be very uncomfortable. It typically develops in young adults or those aged between 50 and 60, affecting around 1.1 million people in the U.K. alone [4].

Causes. The exact cause is unknown, but it’s believed to be related to the immune system attacking healthy skin cells by mistake, leading to an increased production of skin cells and the characteristic symptoms of psoriasis.

Symptoms. Those with psoriasis develop red, scaly patches that can be itchy and sometimes painful.

Treatment. Treatment can vary from person to person, but can include salicylic acid, phototherapy, topical retinoids and topical corticosteroids.

Read our detailed guide on psoriasis here.

Ringworm

Overview. Ringworm is a fungal infection that appears as a red, circular rash. Despite its name, it is not caused by a worm and can appear anywhere on the body including the scalp.

Causes. It’s caused by a type of fungi that can be passed on through close contact with another infected person or animal or infected objects such as bedsheets.

Symptoms. Ringworm presents as circular, red sores that may be scaly, itchy, dry or swollen.

Treatment. It’s best to consult with a pharmacist if you think you have ringworm and they will be able to recommend an anti-fungal treatment such as a cream or spray. They may also advise you to speak to your GP.

Rosacea

Overview. Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels, usually around the face. It’s more prevalent in individuals with fair hair and blue eyes [5].

Causes. Like many skin conditions, the exact cause is unknown but it’s believed genetics and environmental factors play a major role. It is not caused by poor hygiene.

Symptoms. The main symptoms of rosacea include redness in the face and sometimes papules and pustules.

Treatment. There is no cure for rosacea, however there are various treatments available to improve symptoms and quality of life which can include niacinamide, azelaic acid and antibiotics. Some external factors should be avoided such as spicy foods and intense sunlight, as these can exacerbate symptoms.

For more information, read our detailed article on rosacea here.

Scabies

Overview. This is a contagious skin condition caused by mites that burrow into the skin, creating intense itching. Anyone can get it and it’s spread through close contact.

Causes. Scabies is caused by an infestation of the mite sarcoptes scabiei.

Symptoms. The main symptoms include intense itching and burrow tracks that leave small blisters and bumps on the skin.

Treatment. Although not usually a serious condition, scabies can be very uncomfortable and should be treated quickly to avoid further spreading. A pharmacist can recommend a cream or lotion and everyone in your home will need to be treated, even if they don’t have any symptoms. It’s also important to wash all bedding and clothing in hot water.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Overview. This is another common skin condition that causes red, scaly patches that can flare up at different times throughout the year or be persistent.

Causes. Although the exact cause is unknown, an overproduction of sebum and Malassezia is considered to be a major factor, but external factors such as stress and cold weather can exacerbate symptoms.

Symptoms. It’s characterized by red, scaly patches that are covered in yellow, shiny and oily scales that can look different depending on skin tone. It's usually found on the scalp and other oily areas of the skin.

Treatment. There are a wide range of treatments available for seborrheic dermatitis, including piroctone olamine, salicylic acid and topical steroids.

For more information, check out our detailed guide on seborrheic dermatitis here.

Tinea Versicolor (Pityriasis Versicolor)

Overview. This is another common fungal skin infection that causes small, discoloured patches of the skin. Although treatable, the infection can return over time. It is not infectious or caused by poor hygiene.

Causes. The infection is caused by an overgrowth of a type of yeast known as Malassezia on your skin, and symptoms can worsen during hot weather and humidity.

Symptoms. This condition presents itself as different coloured patches on the skin. These are usually pink, red or light brown on lighter skin, or paler on darker skin tones. They often appear around the chest, upper back, arms and neck.

Treatment. Common treatments include anti-fungal shampoos and creams, or tablets which can be prescribed by your GP. Treatments can take a few months to take effect.

Vitiligo

Overview. This condition affects the skin by causing white patches due to a lack of the pigment melanin. There are two main types: non-segmental vitiligo where symptoms appear on both sides of the body symmetrically, and segmental vitiligo where symptoms affect just one area on your body.

Causes. The condition is causes by a lack of melanin in the skin which is what gives your skin its colour and is also responsible for tanning. Without enough working melanocytes, white patches can develop.

Symptoms. The condition is characterized by white patches on the skin, either symmetrically, in localized areas or in rare cases, across the whole body.

Treatment. Although usually permanent, there are some treatments available such as steroid creams to restore some pigment and phototherapy.

References

[1] Tan JK, Bhate K. A global perspective on the epidemiology of acne. Br J Dermatol. 2015 Jul;172 Suppl 1:3-12. doi: 10.1111/bjd.13462. PMID: 25597339.

[2] Natsuaki, M.N., & Yates, T.M. (2021). Adolescent Acne and Disparities in Mental Health. Child Development Perspectives, 15, 37-43.

[3] NHS Choices. 2021. “Athlete’s Foot.” NHS. June 8, 2021. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/athletes-foot/.

[4] New figures show Psoriasis affects around 1.1 million people in UK. (n.d.). New figures show Psoriasis affects around 1.1 million people in UK. [online] Available at: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/new-figures-show-psoriasis-affects-around-11-million-people-in-uk/.

[5] Charlson, P. (2022). An introduction to treating rosacea. Journal of Aesthetic Nursing.