Evidence-based guide to 40+ skin diseases — symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and advanced treatments. Reviewed by board-certified dermatologists at India's most-reviewed physician-led dermatology network.
Each condition below is backed by evidence-based dermatology. Click to learn about symptoms, causes, and advanced treatment options at DermaVue.
India's most common skin condition. Excess sebum, Cutibacterium acnes overgrowth, and follicular occlusion drive inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions across the face, chest, and back.
Post-inflammatory dermal damage following severe acne. CO₂ fractional laser with PRP offers dramatic improvement — patients report visible results after 3 sessions.
Chronic inflammatory condition causing persistent redness, visible blood vessels, and papules on the central face. Triggered by sun, heat, spicy food, and alcohol.
Chronic inflammatory skin disease driven by immune dysregulation and impaired skin barrier. Characterized by intensely pruritic, weeping lesions in flexural areas.
Skin inflammation triggered by contact with irritants (soaps, metals) or allergens (nickel, fragrances). Patch testing is the gold standard for identifying causative agents.
Malassezia yeast-driven inflammatory condition causing greasy scales and erythema on the scalp, nasolabial folds, eyebrows, and chest. Distinct from dry dandruff.
Bacterial or fungal infection of hair follicles presenting as pustules or red papules. Hot, humid Indian climate significantly increases incidence, especially on the back and thighs.
Symmetrical brown-grey patches on sun-exposed facial skin. Triggered by UV radiation, hormonal changes (OCP, pregnancy), and heat. Extremely prevalent in South Asian skin types III–V.
Excess melanin deposition at sites of resolved inflammation (acne, eczema, insect bites). More pronounced in Fitzpatrick III–V skin. Chemical peels and targeted lasers accelerate clearance.
Autoimmune destruction of melanocytes causing sharply defined depigmented patches. Affects 1–2% globally. Treatment includes excimer laser, topical immunomodulators, and phototherapy.
UV-induced melanin deposits presenting as flat tan-to-brown macules. Freckles fade in winter; solar lentigines persist. Q-switched Nd:YAG laser delivers visible results after a single session.
Inflammatory hyperpigmentation disorder presenting as ashy-grey macules on sun-exposed and covered skin. Highly prevalent in South Asian populations. Requires long-term management.
Dermatophyte fungal infection causing expanding ring-shaped, scaly, pruritic plaques. India has extremely high prevalence. Trichophyton indotineae strains showing antifungal resistance require specialist management.
Malassezia furfur overgrowth causing hypo- or hyperpigmented oval macules on the trunk and shoulders. Recurrence is common in humid tropical climates without prophylaxis.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes benign epidermal growths on hands, feet, and face. Plantar warts (foot) are particularly painful. Treated with cryotherapy, laser ablation, or electrosurgery.
Staphylococcus and Streptococcus infections ranging from superficial impetigo to deep cellulitis. Antibiotic sensitivity testing guides treatment given rising MRSA rates in South India.
Varicella-zoster virus reactivation causing unilateral dermatomal blistering rash with severe burning pain. Post-herpetic neuralgia can persist for months. Early antiviral treatment is critical.
Poxvirus infection causing smooth, umbilicated pearly papules predominantly in children and immunocompromised adults. Highly contagious via skin contact. Treated with cryotherapy or curettage.
DHT-mediated progressive miniaturization of hair follicles. The most common cause of hair loss worldwide. DermaVue's SMART FUE technique with Korean Choi implanter delivers natural-density restoration.
T-cell mediated autoimmune attack on hair follicles causing smooth, well-demarcated bald patches. Can progress to alopecia totalis. PRP therapy and intralesional corticosteroids are first-line treatments.
Physiological shift of hair follicles into resting phase triggered by stress, nutritional deficiency, illness (including post-COVID), or hormonal changes. Usually self-limiting with GFC or PRP acceleration.
Scalp condition characterized by white dry flakes and mild pruritus. Distinct from seborrheic dermatitis in the absence of inflammation. Ketoconazole and zinc pyrithione shampoos are highly effective.
Psoriasis affecting the scalp often extends to forehead and ears. Heavy silvery scales, marked pruritus, and temporary hair loss. Requires targeted topical and systemic treatments distinct from body psoriasis.
T-cell driven hyperproliferation of keratinocytes causing well-demarcated erythematous plaques with thick silvery scales on elbows, knees, and scalp. Associated with psoriatic arthritis and cardiovascular risk.
T-lymphocyte mediated autoimmune eruption producing pruritic, polygonal, purple papules on wrists, ankles, and mucous membranes. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a major sequela in darker skin.
Mast cell-mediated eruption of transient, intensely pruritic wheals. Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) persists beyond 6 weeks and requires systematic workup. Omalizumab biologic offers remission for refractory cases.
Soft, flesh-coloured pedunculated benign growths commonly found on the neck, armpits, and groin. Associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Removed painlessly with electrosurgery or laser.
Benign clusters of melanocytes. Most moles are harmless but changes in the ABCDE criteria (asymmetry, border, colour, diameter, evolution) warrant dermoscopic evaluation to exclude melanoma.
Common benign keratinocyte tumour with a characteristic "stuck-on" waxy appearance. Ranges from tan to dark brown. Differentiation from melanoma requires dermoscopy. Removed with cryotherapy or laser.
Abnormal fibroblastic wound healing response producing raised, firm scar tissue extending beyond the original wound boundary. More prevalent in darker skin types. Treatment includes intralesional steroids and laser.
Stretched sebaceous follicle openings, most prominent on the nose and cheeks. Driven by excess sebum, loss of elasticity, and UV damage. HydraFacial and microneedling tighten pore appearance.
Multifactorial discolouration under the eyes from pigmentation, vascular congestion, volume loss, or shadowing. Q-switched laser, tear trough fillers, or polynucleotides address underlying causes effectively.
Pathological overactivity of eccrine sweat glands affecting axillae, palms, and soles beyond thermoregulatory needs. Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections provide 6–8 months of highly effective sweat reduction.
Keratin plugging of hair follicles causing rough, sandpaper-like bumps on the arms, thighs, and cheeks. Harmless but aesthetically bothersome. Chemical exfoliants and laser hair reduction improve texture.
Blocked sweat ducts causing vesicular or pustular eruptions in hot, humid conditions. Miliaria rubra (red prickly heat) is the most common form. Extremely prevalent throughout Kerala's monsoon and summer seasons.
Sarcoptes scabiei mite infestation causing intense nocturnal pruritus, burrows between fingers, wrists, and genitalia. Highly contagious within households. Permethrin cream is the first-line treatment.
Immunologically mediated hypersensitivity to UV radiation, especially UVA, causing papular or vesicular eruptions on sun-exposed skin within hours of exposure. Extremely common in South India given year-round UV intensity.
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Select your symptoms to see which skin conditions may match. This is a clinical reference guide — always consult a board-certified dermatologist for accurate diagnosis.
Most skin conditions share underlying biological mechanisms. Understanding them helps you choose the right treatment path.
Most skin conditions — acne, psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea — involve dysregulated innate or adaptive immune responses. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-17) drive keratinocyte proliferation, mast cell activation, and visible skin changes. Targeted anti-inflammatory treatments interrupt this cascade at specific points.
Skin colour is determined by melanin produced by melanocytes in the basal layer. UV radiation, inflammation, hormones (especially oestrogen), and heat stimulate melanocyte activity via the ACTH/MSH pathway. In South Asian skin (Fitzpatrick III–V), post-inflammatory pigmentation is a major challenge requiring melanocyte-targeted therapies.
The stratum corneum acts as a physical and immunological barrier. Filaggrin gene mutations (common in atopic dermatitis) impair barrier integrity, allowing allergen penetration and transepidermal water loss. Ceramide-based emollients restore barrier function and reduce inflammatory flares across multiple conditions.
UVB (280–315 nm) directly damages DNA in keratinocytes. UVA (315–400 nm) generates reactive oxygen species, activating melanocytes and degrading collagen. India's near-equatorial latitude means year-round high UV index, making SPF 50+ broad-spectrum protection essential for every skin type and all skin conditions.
Autoimmune conditions (psoriasis, vitiligo, lichen planus, alopecia areata) involve T-lymphocytes or B-lymphocytes mistakenly targeting skin structures — keratinocytes, melanocytes, hair follicles. Biologics targeting specific cytokine pathways (anti-IL-17, anti-IL-23 for psoriasis) represent the most precise therapeutic advance in modern dermatology.
The skin hosts over 1,000 bacterial species. Dysbiosis — imbalance of the microbiome — is implicated in acne (Cutibacterium acnes), eczema (Staphylococcus aureus dominance), and seborrheic dermatitis (Malassezia overgrowth). Microbiome-sensitive treatments and probiotic approaches are an emerging therapeutic frontier in dermatology.
Accurate diagnosis requires more than visual inspection. DermaVue's board-certified dermatologists use a systematic multi-modal approach.
Duration, onset, triggers, family history, and medications are systematically documented. Lesion morphology — macule, papule, plaque, vesicle, bulla, pustule — and distribution pattern narrows the differential diagnosis before any test.
10–20× magnification device reveals subsurface skin structures invisible to the naked eye. Essential for evaluating pigmented lesions (distinguishing melanoma from benign moles), psoriasis, eczema subtypes, and scabies. Reduces unnecessary biopsies significantly.
Potassium hydroxide preparation of skin scrapings visualizes fungal hyphae under microscopy for confirmation of tinea, pityriasis versicolor, and candidiasis. Culture identifies species and determines antifungal resistance patterns — critical given India's emerging resistant Trichophyton indotineae.
Epicutaneous application of standardized allergen panels (Indian Standard Series: 30–50 allergens) under occlusion for 48 hours identifies specific sensitizers. Essential for occupational dermatitis, cosmetic allergies, and medication reactions.
Punch or shave biopsy provides definitive tissue diagnosis for inflammatory conditions, skin cancers, and bullous disorders. Immunofluorescence studies are added when autoimmune bullous diseases (pemphigus, pemphigoid) are suspected.
Every DermaVue dermatologist holds an MD in Dermatology, Venereology & Leprolog (DVL) and is registered with IADVL — India's premier dermatology body.
US-FDA approved technology, physician-performed procedures, and protocols benchmarked against international standards.
Early diagnosis prevents complications and reduces treatment time. Use this framework as a guide.
Medically reviewed answers to the questions we hear most often at our clinics.
Board-certified MD dermatologists. US-FDA approved technology. Physician-performed procedures. 7 clinics across Kerala and Coimbatore.
Available at: Thiruvananthapuram · Kollam · Thiruvalla · Kottayam · Aluva/Kochi · Thrissur · Coimbatore