Skin, nail and hair health – articles and advice
Acne
Features on skin care, nail health and hair conditions, with practical lifestyle advice. For structured detail, see our Patient Information Leaflets on skin, nail and hair health.
Acne
Spots, blackheads, and blemishes can affect confidence. Learn what causes acne and discover treatments that can help clear your skin.
- 8 causes of back acne
- Does Bio-Oil help acne scars?
- How to get rid of acne scars: your ultimate guide
- Does wearing make-up give you acne?
- Could your face mask be causing your acne?
- Is your exercise routine giving you acne?
- Do any natural remedies really work for acne?
- Pregnancy acne: why it happens and how to treat it
- Is there a link between diet and acne?
- Dealing with depression and anxiety caused by adult acne
- How to tell the difference between acne and other skin problems
Eczema
Eczema causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. Learn about triggers, how to soothe symptoms, and which treatments offer long-term relief.
- Which natural remedies help soothe eczema?
- Why is my facial eczema worse in summer?
- Why eczema itches - and how to stop it
- Eczema in children: how to soothe your child
- What causes sudden eczema in adults?
- Everything you need to know about baby eczema
- How to wash your hands if you have eczema or dry skin
- Why we need better care for people with eczema
- Eczema management plans: do they help control your eczema?
- How the seasons affect your eczema
- Will a gluten-free diet help my child's eczema?
Hair and scalp
Hair thinning, dandruff, or scalp irritation? Discover the most common hair and scalp issues and what can help restore healthy hair and comfort.
- Is coconut oil good for your hair?
- Does rosemary oil actually help hair grow?
- 4 common winter hair problems - and how to treat them
- Can hair transplants improve mental health?
- Do probiotics promote healthy hair?
- Can vitamins really prevent hair loss?
- Back to school: how to check your child for head lice and nits
- What to do if you have an infected ingrown hair
- How to look after your hair during chemotherapy
- Biotin: do vitamins for hair growth really work?
- How often should you wash your hair?
- Skin-picking and hair-pulling: managing body-focused repetitive behaviours
- Does caffeine shampoo really work for hair loss?
- Why going bald can seriously affect your mental health
- Common causes of an itchy scalp
- Does the menopause cause hair loss?
- What to do about excess body hair
- What causes male pattern baldness?
- Can dandruff and an itchy scalp lead to hair loss?
- Video: How do head lice spread?
- The best ways to get rid of head lice
- Understanding female hair loss
Moles
Most moles are harmless, but changes can signal skin cancer. Learn what to look for and when to get a mole checked.
Nails
Discoloured, brittle, or infected nails? Learn about common nail conditions and how they can be treated at home or by a professional.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis causes red, scaly patches on the skin. Learn about triggers, how to manage flare-ups, and what treatments are available.
Skin rashes
Rashes can be itchy, painful or worrying. Learn what causes them and when you should seek medical help for unusual or persistent rashes.
- What are the common causes of summer rashes?
- What is vulvar dermatitis?
- Rise in scabies cases across the UK
- Scarlet fever: a doctor's advice
- How to spot bedbugs and get rid of them
- Common skin complaints: understanding tinea versicolor
- Common rosacea triggers and how to avoid them
- Rosacea treatments: which is right for you?
- What to do when your child has a rash
- What causes our skin to break out in hives?
- What it's really like to live with rosacea
Skincare
How you care for your skin can greatly affect your appearance. From serums to face oils, exfoliators to eye creams, masks to mists (the list goes on), there are hundreds of skincare products available, all designed to strengthen, protect and care for your skin.
- NewNeurocosmetics: a brain-changer for your health?
- Hyaluronic acid: skincare benefits, side effects and more
- Glycolic acid: skincare benefits, side effects, and more
- How to care for your skin in winter
- Retinol: skincare benefits, side effects and more
- What is skinimalism, and is it good for your skin?
- The scar cream ingredients to look out for
- What does vitamin C serum do?
- The best foods and nutrients to eat for healthy skin
- Does Bio-Oil work on stretch marks?
- How to stop dry skin ruining your winter
- Protecting your skin from harmful pollution
- Is aloe vera good for your skin?
- How to care for black skin during winter
- What are the benefits of collagen, and can it prevent skin ageing?
- What does it mean to exfoliate, and why should you?
- How to look after your skin during chemotherapy
- Chemical peels: benefits, costs, risks, and recovery
- Do you need to try an avocado face mask?
- Micellar water: skincare benefits and uses
- The simplest men's skincare routine
- Does getting good sleep really improve your skin?
- The health benefits of seawater
- Does stress make skin problems worse?
- Foods that help improve skin problems
Stings and bites
Insect stings and bites can cause irritation or allergic reactions. Learn how to treat them safely and when to seek urgent care.
- Tick bites: how to recognise and treat
- When should I worry about an insect bite?
- How to treat a wasp sting
- What to do if you're stung by a jellyfish
- How to soothe a nettle sting
- How to treat a horsefly bite
- What to do if you're stung by a sea urchin
- The best ways to prevent and treat insect bites
- How to avoid tick bites and Lyme disease
Sun and sunburn
Too much sun can cause painful burns and skin damage. Learn how to protect your skin and treat sunburn if it happens.
- How to treat sunburn at home
- Why it's so important to know your skin type this summer
- What are the dangers of drinking in hot weather?
- How to choose the right sunscreen
- How to treat sunburn blisters
- What does aftersun do and do you really need it?
- Should you wear sunscreen even when it's cloudy?
- A guide to UV protection sunglasses
- Drinking in the sun: a dangerous cocktail
- Here's how to protect a bald head from the sun
- Are skincare products putting you at risk of sunburn?
- How to keep your kids sun safe this summer
- The warning signs of heatstroke and heat exhaustion
- Sun protection mistakes you're probably making
- Why are men less likely to wear sun cream?
- Could you be allergic to the sun?
- Does SPF moisturiser give you enough sun protection?
Other skin conditions
Not every skin issue fits a diagnosis. Learn about less common skin conditions and how healthcare professionals investigate and treat them.
- Skin condition videos
- How to prevent and soothe skin cysts: a simple guide
- What are skin tags and how can I get rid of them?
- Itchy skin at night this summer? Here's why
- How to treat an infected piercing
- Smoking effects on skin: from ageing to illness
- Does vaping age or damage your skin?
- Dry skin in winter: what cold weather can do to your skin
- The mental health impact of skin conditions
- What causes itchy skin?
- Can your skin really get addicted to steroid creams?
- Wart and verruca treatment options
- How your environment affects skin conditions
- How to stop your child catching a verruca