On this page
Basics
Learn More
See, Play and Learn
Resources
For You
Summary
Your skin is your body's largest organ. It covers and protects your body. Your skin
- Holds body fluids in, preventing dehydration
- Keeps harmful microbes out, preventing infections
- Helps you feel things like heat, cold, and pain
- Keeps your body temperature even
- Makes vitamin D when the sun shines on it
Anything that irritates, clogs, or inflames your skin can cause symptoms such as redness, swelling, burning, and itching. Allergies, irritants, your genetic makeup, and certain diseases and immune system problems can cause rashes, hives, and other skin conditions. Many skin problems, such as acne, also affect your appearance.
NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Latest News
- Scientists Zero in On Cause of Rare, Disfiguring Skin Disorder (09/22/2016, HealthDay)
- Don't Let Painful Blisters Spoil Your Summer Fun (07/16/2016, HealthDay)
Diagnosis and Tests
- Biopsy (American Osteopathic College of Dermatology)
- Skin Rashes and Other Changes (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Wood's Lamp Examination (Logical Images)
Prevention and Risk Factors
- How to Prevent Skin Conditions in Athletes (American Academy of Dermatology)
-
Keep Your Skin Healthy: Protecting Your Outer Self
(National Institutes of Health)
- Skin Problems: How to Protect Yourself from Job-Related Skin Problems (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Treatments and Therapies
- Blisters: First Aid (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Cryosurgery (Logical Images)
- Dermatology Procedures (American Osteopathic College of Dermatology)
- Electrodesiccation (Logical Images)
- Laser Therapy (American Society for Dermatologic Surgery)
- Skin graft - slideshow Also in Spanish
Living With
- Dry Skin Relief (American Academy of Dermatology)
Related Issues
- Skin Problems in Construction (Center to Protect Workers' Rights) - PDF
Specifics
- Blisters, Calluses, and Corns (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Cellulite (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Dandruff (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Dermatitis Herpetiformis (American Osteopathic College of Dermatology)
- Dermatographia (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Dry Skin (Xerosis) (American Academy of Dermatology)
-
Epidermolysis Bullosa (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
-
Ichthyosis (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
- Lichen Nitidus (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Lichen Striatus (American Osteopathic College of Dermatology)
- Morgellons Disease: Managing a Mysterious Skin Condition (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Pityriasis Rosea (American Academy of Dermatology)
- Scalp Psoriasis vs. Seborrheic Dermatitis: What's the Difference? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
-
What Is Epidermolysis Bullosa?
(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
Also in Spanish
-
What Is Lichen Sclerosus? (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
Also in Spanish
Genetics
-
Genetics Home Reference: acral peeling skin syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Adams-Oliver syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: adermatoglyphia (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip/palate syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: autosomal dominant hyper-IgE syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Bart-Pumphrey syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Blau syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Brooke-Spiegler syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Clouston syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Cole disease (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform erythroderma and limb defects (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Costello syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Darier disease (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: dyskeratosis congenita (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: epidermal nevus (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: epidermolysis bullosa simplex (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: epidermolytic hyperkeratosis (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: erythrokeratodermia variabilis et progressiva (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: familial cylindromatosis (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: familial pityriasis rubra pilaris (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: focal dermal hypoplasia (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: harlequin ichthyosis (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: hystrix-like ichthyosis with deafness (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: ichthyosis with confetti (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: incontinentia pigmenti (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: infantile systemic hyalinosis (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: junctional epidermolysis bullosa (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: juvenile hyaline fibromatosis (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: keratoderma with woolly hair (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: lamellar ichthyosis (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: laryngo-onycho-cutaneous syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: lipoid proteinosis (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Majeed syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: microphthalmia with linear skin defects syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: multiple cutaneous and mucosal venous malformations (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: multiple familial trichoepithelioma (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: multiple pterygium syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Naegeli-Franceschetti-Jadassohn syndrome/dermatopathia pigmentosa reticularis (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Netherton syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: nonbullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: nonsyndromic aplasia cutis congenita (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: pachyonychia congenita (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: palmoplantar keratoderma with deafness (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: steatocystoma multiplex (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: trichothiodystrophy (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: UV-sensitive syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
-
Genetics Home Reference: Vohwinkel syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
- Muir-Torre Syndrome (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
Images
- Blisters, First Aid (Logical Images)
- Capillaritis (Logical Images)
- Cutaneous Horn (Logical Images)
- Dandruff (Logical Images)
- Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra (Logical Images)
- Dry Skin (Xerosis) (Logical Images)
- Epidermoid Cyst (Logical Images)
- Erythema Nodosum (Logical Images)
- Fordyce Spots (Logical Images)
- Granuloma Annulare (Logical Images)
- Intertrigo (Logical Images)
- Keratoacanthoma (Logical Images)
- Keratosis Pilaris (Logical Images)
- Lichen Planus (Logical Images)
- Milia (Logical Images)
- Notalgia Paresthetica (Logical Images)
- Poikiloderma of Civatte (Logical Images)
- Pyogenic Granuloma (Logical Images)
- Razor Bumps (Pseudofolliculitis Barbae) (Logical Images)
- Scaly Skin (Ichthyosis Vulgaris) (Logical Images)
- Sebaceous Hyperplasia (Logical Images)
- Seborrheic Dermatitis (Logical Images)
- Seborrheic Keratoses (Logical Images)
- Skin Tag (Acrochordon) (Logical Images)
- Stasis Dermatitis (Logical Images)
- Stretch Marks (Striae) (Logical Images)
- Syringoma (Logical Images)
Health Check Tools
- Flushing (DSHI Systems)
- Lump Under the Skin (DSHI Systems)
- Skin Lesion (DSHI Systems)
- Skin Ulcers (DSHI Systems)
Videos and Tutorials
-
Components of skin
- Encyclopedia
Also in Spanish
Statistics and Research
-
Protein Replacement Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Rare Skin Disorder (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
Clinical Trials
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Skin Diseases (National Institutes of Health)
Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Reference Desk
- Dermatology Terms (American Osteopathic College of Dermatology)
- Skin Dictionary (American Academy of Dermatology)
- Structure and Function of Your Skin (American Osteopathic College of Dermatology)
Find an Expert
- American Academy of Dermatology
- American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
- Find a D.O. Dermatologist (American Osteopathic College of Dermatology)
- Find a Dermatologist (American Academy of Dermatology)
-
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Also in Spanish
Children
- Erythema Toxicum Neonatorum (Logical Images)
-
Healthy Skin Matters (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
- Pediatric Seborrheic Dermatitis (Logical Images)
- Splinters and Other Foreign Bodies in the Skin (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
- Taking Care of Your Skin (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- What Are Freckles? (Nemours Foundation)
- Your Skin (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Teenagers
- Cellulite (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Pityriasis Rosea (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
- Skin Biopsy (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Women
- Skin Conditions during Pregnancy (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - PDF Also in Spanish
Patient Handouts
- Acrodermatitis Also in Spanish
- Cradle cap Also in Spanish
- Cryotherapy Also in Spanish
- Cutaneous skin tags Also in Spanish
- Dry skin -- self-care Also in Spanish
- Erythema multiforme Also in Spanish
- Granuloma annulare Also in Spanish
- Keratosis pilaris Also in Spanish
- Lichen planus Also in Spanish
- Milia Also in Spanish
- Sebaceous cyst Also in Spanish
- Seborrheic dermatitis Also in Spanish
- Seborrheic keratosis Also in Spanish
- Skin lesion removal Also in Spanish
- Skin lesion removal-aftercare Also in Spanish
- Stasis dermatitis and ulcers Also in Spanish
