Medical Conditions

Acne is a very common skin condition that affects most young people in their teenage years. It often causes skin spots that are commonly known as ‘pimples’ and ‘blackheads’. They are not harmful, but may be unpleasant, painful and lead to self-consciousness.

Acne scars are marks left on your skin after pimples have gone away. Most people will have pimples in their lifetime, but not all pimples will leave scars.

Alopecia areata is a hair loss condition that most commonly involves the scalp, and sometimes other body areas containing hair, such as the eyebrows and eyelashes.

Atopic dermatitis causes your child’s skin to become inflamed, making it look red and feel itchy. It is commonly also called eczema, and you may know it by this name. It is very common, and you may have more than one child with eczema.

Chickenpox or varicella is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus that causes fevers and a blistering rash, usually in children. It is extremely easy to catch from one child to another.

Congenital haemangiomas are rare, harmless vascular (blood vessel) birthmarks which are present from birth and do not continue to grow after birth. That is, these birthmarks started and finished growing when the baby was in the womb. The two main types are rapidly involuting which resolve usually within 12-14 months and non-involuting which stay the same size (which means they grow in proportion to your child as your child grows).

Congenital melanocytic naevus  is also known as a brown birthmark or mole. Congenital melanocytic naevus (which is abbreviated to CMN) may be present at birth or may appear a few months after birth.

Discoid eczema or discoid dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes coin shaped areas of red itchy skin. It is mainly seen on the arms and legs. It is also known as “nummular” dermatitis.

Eosinophilic folliculitis or infantile eosinophilic pustular folliculitis is a rare skin condition that causes itchy pustules (pimples), usually on the head of babies.

Erythema toxicum is a very common skin condition that is seen in newborn babies. It is also known as erythema toxicum neonatorum or toxic erythema of the newborn . New born babies are otherwise well while having erythema toxicum and the rash resolves without treatment.

Haemangiomas of infancy are common birthmarks caused by an overgrowth of blood vessels under the skin. They are usually seen within the first few days to weeks after birth and are usually harmless and disappear on their own over time. Sometimes medications are required to help shrink them.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a skin condition which leads to painful lumps underneath the skin and usually affects the underarms, groin, buttocks or under the breasts. These can sometimes contain blood, fluid or pus and are prone to breaking open and can lead to scarring.