Archive for November 2019

A skin lightener can fade — or even clear — dark spots and patches on your skin, but some come with serious health risks. If your skin lightener contains mercury, it could be damaging your kidneys without you knowing it. Mercury can also injure your nerves, leading to permanent numbness or tingling in your hands,…

Melasma: Overview What is melasma? Melasma is a common skin problem. It causes brown to gray-brown patches, usually on the face. Most people get it on their cheeks, bridge of their nose, forehead, chin, and above their upper lip. It also can appear on other parts of the body that get lots of sun, such…

Just when our appearance grows in social importance and we want to look our best, acne can begin. Some teens seem unfazed by acne. For most teenagers, however, this especially visible skin problem can be upsetting. If your teenager seems upset by acne, here’s how you can help. 1. Take acne seriously Telling your teen…

Warts: Overview What are warts? Warts are benign (not cancerous) skin growths that appear when a virus infects the top layer of the skin. Viruses that cause warts are called human papillomavirus (HPV). You are more likely to get one of these viruses if you cut or damage your skin in some way. Wart viruses…

Shingles: Overview What is shingles? Most people who get this disease develop a painful, blistering rash. Is it contagious? Yes, but you cannot give anyone shingles. While you have blisters, you can spread a virus. If that virus infects someone who hasn’t had chickenpox (or the chickenpox vaccine), the person can get chickenpox. If you…