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Ichthyosis

Ichthyoses refers to a group of mainly hereditary type of skin diseases where the skin resembles fish or reptile scales. Sometimes this change may occur in patients with severe underlying disease such as cancer or tuberculosis.

Impetigo

Impetigo is a skin infection caused by bacteria. It is often called "school sores" because it affects children and is quite contagious. Streptococcus pyogenes and/or Staphylococcus aureus are the microorganisms responsible for impetigo. Impetigo most often occurs on exposed areas such as the hands and face. It presents with pustules and round, crusted oozing patches which grow larger day by day. Impetigo may be caught from someone else with impetigo or boils, or appear "out of the blue". It often starts at the site of a minor skin injury such as a graze, an insect bite, or scratched eczema.

Insect Bite reaction (arthropod assault)

After a bite there is usually a hive like reationwhere the skin becomes red, swollen, and itchy covering an area of less than 1 cm. This reaction may last for upto 2 weeks. Occasionally one or two bites may trigger dozens of lesions to come out all resembling the intial bite called papular urticaria. (see papular uticaria)

Intertrigo

Intertrigo is the word used to describe a rash in body folds. Affected skin is reddened and uncomfortable. Intertrigo is particularly common in those who are overweight. Body folds (flexures) are prone to inflammatory rashes because of:

• Relatively high skin temperature
• Moisture from insensible water loss and sweating cannot evaporate
• Friction from movement of adjacent skin results in chafing

Bacteria and yeasts, which are normally resident on the skin, multiply in such environments and may result in further damage to the skin.