Search for a skin condition

Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that happens when the hair follicles get plugged with oil and dead skin, causing pimples and spots.

Anal fissure (tear)

An anal fissure is a small split or tear in the skin around your anus. These are very common and can occur from infancy through to adulthood.

Angular cheilitis

Angular cheilitis causes cracks, crusting and redness at the corners of the mouth and around the lips.

Boils and abscesses

Boils and abscesses are painful lumps under your skin caused by a skin infection.

Burns

Burns can range from minor burns you can treat at home to major burns that need to be treated in hospital. All burns need immediate first aid.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and the tissue just under the skin. Cellulitis can affect any area of skin, but your leg is the most common place.

Cold sores

Cold sores are small blisters on your lip or around your mouth. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus.

Dermatitis and eczema

Dermatitis is a very common skin condition that makes your skin dry, red and itchy. There are several types of dermatitis, including eczema.

Foot ulcers

A foot ulcer is a wound or sore on your foot that is slow to heal. People with diabetes are at higher risk of getting foot ulcers.

Hair loss (alopecia)

Alopecia is abnormal hair loss. With alopecia, you can lose hair from one area of your body or several areas.

Hidradenitis suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a long-term skin condition. It causes persistent or recurrent lumps or abscesses and scarring.

Impetigo

A common skin infection. Impetigo mostly affects tamariki. It spreads very easily through skin to skin contact.

Itching (pruritus)

Itching (pruritus) is the sensation on your skin that makes you want to scratch. There are many possible causes and treatments.

Lichen sclerosus

Lichen sclerosus is a skin disease affecting both sexes of all ages and in all areas of the body. It is more common in women and most often occurs on the genital area.

Lipoma

A lipoma is a soft, fatty lump under your skin. Lipomas are common and harmless so they usually do not need any treatment.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It can spread throughout the body and is the most serious form of skin cancer.

Lymphoedema

Lymphoedema is swelling caused by a build-up of lymph fluid in your body. It happens when your body's lymphatic system is not working properly.

Molluscum contagiosum

A common viral skin infection. It mainly affects tamariki (children) under 10 years old.

Non-melanoma skin cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common type of skin cancer. They tend to appear on skin that has had a lot of sun exposure. Non-melanoma skin cancers can usually be treated successfully and cured.

Non-cancerous skin lesions

Skin lesions are spots and patches on your skin. They include solar keratoses and seborrhoeic keratoses.

Pressure injuries

Pressure injuries are sores or ulcers. These are sometimes called pressure sores or bedsores.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common long-term (chronic) skin condition. There are many effective treatments to help keep psoriasis under control.

Rosacea

Rosacea is an inflamed rash that affects the central part of the face. It cannot be cured but there are treatments available to help control it.

Sebaceous and pilar cysts

Sebaceous cysts and pilar cysts (also called epidermoid or trichilemmal cysts) are smooth lumps that appear under your skin. They are not cancerous.

Scabies

Scabies is a skin condition caused by a parasitic mite (a living thing). Scabies usually produces a very itchy rash.

Slapped cheek

Slapped cheek is a viral infection caused by the parvovirus. It causes bright red cheeks and is most common in tamariki (children). Some adults can get slapped cheek.

Sunburn

The sun in Aotearoa New Zealand has very high levels of ultraviolet (UV) light or radiation. These UV rays cause sunburn.

Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness similar to strep throat, but with a skin rash. Scarlet fever can also lead to rheumatic fever and to other illnesses like pneumonia or infections.

Skin grafts

A skin graft is an area of skin taken from one part of your body to cover an injury on another part of your body.

Skin surgery risks and complications

Skin surgery carries some risk of complications such as infections and nerve damage. Your doctor will make every effort to reduce risk and minimise complications.

Skin decolonisation

Skin decolonisation is a 5-day process to remove as much bacteria as possible from your body. This is done to reduce the number of skin infections you get.

Staphylococcus skin infections

A type of germ (bacteria) that commonly lives on healthy skin. If the skin is very dry, scratched or grazed, the germ can multiply and cause skin infections.

Surgical wound care

There are several things you can do to look after your wound after surgery. Taking good care of your wound and your general health will lower your risk of infection and encourage healing.

Venous leg ulcers

A venous leg ulcer is a wound on your leg that takes a long time to heal due to poor blood circulation.