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Warts
Category: Contagious skin diseases
Warts: It is common for warts to grow on the hands. Warts: Overview 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
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Molluscum contagiosum
Category: Contagious skin diseases
Molluscum contagiosum: This common skin disease causes bumps on the skin and tends to be harmless. Molluscum contagiosum: Overview Molluscum (muh-luhs-kum) contagiosum (kən-tā-jē-ō-səm) is a common skin disease. It is caused by a virus. This virus easily spreads from person to person. People
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Scabies
Category: Contagious skin diseases
Human itch mite: This female mite, shown magnified 100 times, is full of eggs. She will burrow into human skin to lay her eggs. Scabies: Overview A mite causes this common skin condition. Called the human itch mite, this eight-legged bug is so small that you cannot see it on the skin. People get
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Shingles
Category: Contagious skin diseases
Shingles: This disease often causes a painful, blistering rash. Shingles: Overview Also called herpes zoster Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles. After the chickenpox clears, the virus stays in the body. If the virus reactivates (wakes up), the result is shingles — a painful, blistering
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Impetigo
Category: Contagious skin diseases
Impetigo: Blisters and crusts on a child’s face are common signs of impetigo. Impetigo: overview Also called school sores Impetigo (im-peh-tie-go) is a common skin infection, especially in children. It’s also highly contagious. Most people get impetigo through skin-to-skin contact with someone
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Ringworm
Category: Contagious skin diseases
Ringworm: Overview Ringworm: A rash with a raised, wavy border is a common sign of ringworm. What is ringworm? If you have ringworm, you may think you have worms in your skin or a disease caused by worms. You have neither. Ringworm is actually a skin infection caused by fungus. No worms involved.
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Nail fungus
Category: Contagious skin diseases
Nail fungus causes changes to the infected nails. You may see white spots or a change in the nail’s color. Other signs include debris under the nail and thickening nails. Overview: Nail fungus It’s easy to get a fungal nail infection. If you have a fungal infection on your foot, the fungus can
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Head Lice
Category: Contagious skin diseases
Head lice: This magnified picture of head lice on a fine-tooth comb shows that these bugs are tiny. Head lice: Overview Also called Pediculus humanus capitis Having head lice does not mean you are dirty. Most people get head lice when they have head-to-head contact with someone who has head
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Herpes simplex
Category: Contagious skin diseases
Herpes simplex: After clearing, herpes simplex sores can return. When the sores return, the outbreak tends to be milder than the first outbreak. Herpes simplex: Overview Herpes simplex is a common viral infection. If you’ve ever had a cold sore or fever blister, you picked up the herpes simplex
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Genital warts
Category: Contagious skin diseases
Genital warts: The warts appear in various sizes and shapes. Genital warts: Overview Also called condylomata acuminata Genital warts are warts that appear in the genital area. There can be 1 wart or a cluster of warts. People get these warts by picking up the human papillomavirus (HPV) from
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