Possible Skin Conditions

Adults' arms can be the site of a large variety of skin conditions, ranging from rashes, to infection, to skin cancer. Many of these conditions are displayed in the pictures below. In the adult, there are several chronic problems that are often seen on the arm. Psoriasis commonly causes a raised rash on the elbows. Vitiligo is caused by the destruction of pigment cells, called melanocytes, and typically involves the hands and forearms. Some people have a hereditary condition called ichthyosis vulgaris that, which causes the skin to scale and take on the appearance of fish scales. Keratosis pilaris is another chronic condition that gives the appearance of goose bumps and is caused by skin proteins building up around the hair follicle. Click the images below for information on these and other skin problems that commonly involve the arm.