Skin and hair

A plain-English guide to acne — causes, treatments and when to see a GP or pharmacist.

Alopecia areata — patchy hair loss causes, who it affects, NHS treatments including topical steroids and immunotherapy, and emotional support.

A plain-English guide to athlete's foot — symptoms, treatment and prevention.

A plain-English guide to cellulitis — a bacterial skin infection, symptoms, treatment with antibiotics, and when to seek urgent help.

Cold sores (herpes simplex on the lips) — triggers, treatment with aciclovir cream, when they are contagious, and difference from genital herpes.

A plain-English guide to contact dermatitis — causes, treatment and when to see a GP.

Atopic eczema is dry, itchy skin that flares. Use this UK guide for emollients, steroid creams as directed, infection warning signs, and how it looks on darker skin.

Hair loss has many causes — from pattern baldness to thyroid problems. Learn what helps, what the NHS offers, and when to see a GP. Reviewed by UK doctors.

Head lice spread by head-to-head contact, not dirty hair. Wet combing or pharmacy products treat them. There is no need to stay off school once treated.

A plain-English guide to hives — what causes them, how to ease them, and when to seek urgent help.

Impetigo is a contagious golden-crust skin infection. A pharmacist can treat many cases. Stay off until crusted or 48 hours into treatment, as NHS advises.

Melanoma — dangerous skin cancer from moles, ABCDE warning signs, diagnosis, and NHS treatment including surgery and immunotherapy.

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma — warning signs, diagnosis, NHS treatment, and sun protection to reduce risk.

Psoriasis causes red scaly skin patches that flare and settle — common triggers, pharmacy and prescription treatments, and when to see a GP.

A plain-English guide to ringworm — a common fungal infection — its treatment and prevention.

Rosacea causes facial redness, flushing and sometimes spots — how to spot triggers, what treatments help, and when eye symptoms need a GP.

A plain-English guide to scabies — symptoms, treatment, and treating the whole household.

Shingles is a painful one-sided blister rash. Antivirals work best if started early. A rash near the eye is urgent. Pharmacy First can assess some adults.

What verrucas are, how to treat warts on the feet at home, and when to see a GP or podiatrist.

Vitiligo — causes of white skin patches, who it affects, NHS treatments including topical steroids and phototherapy, and living with the condition.

Hair loss is most often due to genetic pattern baldness or temporary shedding after stress or illness — patchy loss or a scarring scalp needs GP assessment.

Itchy skin is usually caused by dry skin, eczema or hives, but persistent whole-body itching can signal liver, kidney or thyroid problems needing tests.

A changing mole can be a sign of melanoma — use the ABCDE guide and see a GP urgently for any mole that changes shape, colour or size, or bleeds.

What a rash can mean — common causes, how to soothe itchy skin, and when to seek urgent medical help.

Most rashes in babies and children are caused by viral infections, eczema or irritation and clear on their own. Call 999 if a rash does not fade when pressed.

Aciclovir, valaciclovir and famciclovir — treating cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles on the NHS: doses, side effects, and when to start.

Antifungal medicines treat fungal infections like athlete's foot, ringworm and thrush, available as creams, sprays, tablets and pessaries from pharmacies.

Antihistamines are medicines that relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing and itching by blocking histamine, with drowsy and non-drowsy types available.

Minoxidil and finasteride are the main hair loss treatments, slowing pattern baldness and prompting regrowth, though benefits reverse if you stop.

Who should have the shingles vaccine in the UK, how it prevents shingles, and what to expect after vaccination.

What steroid creams are, what they treat, and how to use them safely on the skin.