Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at some point. Acne causes oily skin, blackheads and whiteheads (comedones), pus-filled spots (pustules), red bumps (papules), larger deeper bumps (nodules) and discolouration that can be red or hyperpigmented (darker than your normal skin colour). 

Actinic keratoses are areas of sun-damaged skin found predominantly on sun-exposed parts of the body, particularly the forearms, backs of the hands, face, ears, bald scalp and the lower legs. Most lesions are skin-coloured to pink, with some being more easily felt than seen; some may be red/brown in colour. 

An angioma is a common, benign (i.e. non-cancerous), skin growth made up of blood vessels. The most common angioma is a cherry angioma, also known as a Campbell de Morgan spot.

A basal cell carcinoma (BCC), sometimes referred to as a rodent ulcer, is the most common form of skin cancer. The most important facts to know about BCCs are that:

• They are generally regarded as NOT life-threatening in that they do not spread to other parts of the body

• They are, however, locally destructive and can grow into nearby structures – for example, BCC found on or close to the eyes, nose, lips, and ears need to be dealt with more quickly, to reduce how much they damage these structures

Bowen’s disease is an area of sun-damaged skin, which left untreated can very occasionally turn into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

A dermatofibroma (also known as histiocytoma) is a common type of fibrous or scarring reaction that occurs in the deeper layer of the skin. Dermatofibromas are benign (harmless) and cannot turn into skin cancer.

Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is the most common form of eczema, a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry, and inflamed. Although it is more common in children, often developing before their first birthday, it can develop for the first time at any age. The term atopic is used to describe a group of related conditions, which include asthma, eczema, and hay-fever.

Discoid eczema (nummular eczema) is a type of eczema with characteristic round-oval patches of itchy inflamed skin. Discoid eczema can occur at any age but is seen more frequently in adults.

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a relatively common harmless inflammatory skin condition which typically manifests as smooth, ring-like areas in the skin, often with a raised or bumpy edge. It often affects the back of the hands, feet, ankles and elbows; occasionally it can be more widespread across the body. All age groups can be affected, although it is rare in infants.

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Pruritus (itching) refers to a sensation in the skin which causes a desire to scratch. It is very common, and in many cases is caused by skin conditions such as eczema and urticaria. This leaflet refers to pruritus where there is no rash or visible skin disorder.

Lichen Planus is a disorder that can affect any part of the skin and/or mucosal surfaces of the body. It is not infectious nor contagious. It usually persists over time (it is a chronic disorder) before usually stabilising and resolving. It is a condition in which the immune system is set off inappropriately and causes damage and inflammation. It is not a harmful or dangerous condition in that it does not lead to serious harm to the body.

Lichen simplex is the name given to an itchy persistent rash caused by repeatedly scratching or rubbing the skin over a long period of time. Lichen simplex can affect any age group but is most common in adults. It is more common in women. It is unusual in children.

Melasma is a common, harmless disorder. In melasma, areas of increased skin pigmentation develop on sun-exposed sites of the body. It is not cancerous and is not contagious. It does not cause any physical symptoms such as itch nor pain but can cause significant psychological distress.

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common viral infection of the skin mainly affecting children but can arise at any age. MC normally gets better within a few months without treatment; however, it can spread around the skin and take up to 18 months or more for the condition to clear completely.

Perioral dermatitis is a common skin rash affecting the skin around the mouth and sometimes the eyes. It occurs most commonly in women aged between 15 and 45 years. While perioral means 'around the mouth' the condition is inaccurately named, as dermatitis refers to eczema, which it is not.

Pitted keratolysis is a superficial skin infection which usually affects the soles of the feet. It can affect patients of any age and is more common in males. It can usually be easily treated.

Pityriasis rosea is a common skin condition with many small, slightly scaly, oval patches on the chest and back. It most frequently affects people between 10-35 years of age and is self-resolving (going away without treatment) usually after 6-12 weeks.

Pityriasis versicolor, sometimes called tinea versicolor, is a common condition caused by an overgrowth of yeast, leading to the development of scaly discoloured skin patches, which occasionally can be mildly itchy. It most frequently affects young adults but can arise in children and older adults.

Psoriasis is a common and usually long-term (chronic) condition that can appear at any age, although most commonly arises between the ages of 15–25 and 50–60 years old. There are several types of psoriasis that can affect your skin, scalp, and nails in different ways.

A pyogenic granuloma (also known as a lobular capillary haemangioma) is a harmless overgrowth of small blood vessels in the skin. It cannot turn into a skin cancer.

Rosacea is a long-term skin condition mainly affecting the central face often starting between the age of 30-60 years old. Although rosacea can affect anyone, it is more common in women and those with lighter skin. The severity of rosacea tends to fluctuate.

Scabies is a common skin infestation caused by a mite that burrows into the skin causing an itchy rash. It can affect people of any age but is most common in the young and the elderly. Scabies is passed from one person to another by direct skin contact.

Seborrhoeic eczema (also known as seborrhoeic dermatitis) is a common condition causing dandruff and a red scaly rash on the central face and upper body. It can start at any time after puberty.

Seborrhoeic keratoses (seb K), also known as seborrhoeic warts and basal cell papillomas, are benign (harmless) growths caused by a build-up of skin cells. They cannot turn into skin cancer.

Many of us enjoy being outside on sunny days; it makes us feel good. However, that same sun exposure increases the risk of developing skin cancer. Sunburn, and excessive exposure to the sun, or using sunlamps and tanning salons, all raise the chances of developing skin cancers such as melanoma, squamous cell cancer, and basal cell cancer. In fact, around 150,000 new cases of skin cancer occur in the UK every year.

Urticaria is a common condition affecting up to 1 in 5 people at some point in their lives. It causes itchy red or white bumps on the skin that are also known as hives. Angioedema causes swelling of the soft areas of skin especially around the eyes, the lips, and sometimes inside the mouth. Urticaria can be acute (short-lived) or chronic (persistent).

Vitiligo is a skin condition causing patches of skin to lose pigment or colour. For some, this patchy loss can be extensive. Vitiligo is common, affecting 1% of the population.

Although vitiligo is benign (i.e. it is not cancerous), emotional difficulties are common, especially in people with skin of colour as there is a greater disparity in colour difference between normal and altered skin.

Warts are small rough lumps on the skin caused by a viral infection known as the human papilloma virus. Most people develop one or more warts at some time in their lives, usually before the age of 20. Warts most commonly affect the hands and feet (verrucas), but can affect any part of the body. 

Knowing what to look for can help patient's to recognise suspicious looking lesions early and seek treatment. See the Primary Care Dermatology Society Leaflet above for a guide of what to look for.