What are the most common skin diseases among adults?

Most Common Skin Diseases Among Adults

Based on comprehensive guideline analysis and population studies, the most common skin diseases affecting adults are atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, contact dermatitis, and keratinocyte carcinomas, with significant variation by geographic region and age. 1

Primary Common Skin Diseases by Clinical Practice Guideline Representation

The frequency of clinical practice guidelines reflects both disease burden and clinical importance. The highest representation includes:

Most Prevalent Conditions

• Atopic dermatitis represents 13.8% of dermatology clinical practice guidelines, indicating its substantial clinical burden in adults 1
• Psoriasis accounts for 13.3% of guidelines, reflecting its chronic inflammatory nature and significant morbidity 1
• Melanoma comprises 18.8% of guidelines, though this overrepresents actual disease burden due to mortality concerns 1
• Acne vulgaris affects approximately 85% of teenagers but persists into adulthood in many cases, with over 50 million Americans affected 1
• Contact dermatitis (including allergic contact dermatitis at 6.4% of guidelines) represents a significant inflammatory burden 1

Population-Based Prevalence Data

European population studies provide actual prevalence estimates that differ from guideline representation:

• Warts are the most common at 41.3% lifetime prevalence 2
• Acne affects 19.2% of the general adult population 2
• Contact dermatitis occurs in 15.0% of adults 2
• Women are more frequently affected by most skin diseases compared to men, except skin cancer which shows slightly higher male prevalence 2
• Northern European countries (Germany, Netherlands, Sweden) demonstrate higher prevalence than southern countries (Italy, Portugal) 2

Age-Specific Considerations in Older Adults

For adults aged 70 and older, the disease spectrum shifts dramatically:

• Nearly 80% have at least one skin disease requiring treatment or follow-up 3
• 39.1% have three or more simultaneous skin diseases 3
• Tinea pedis is most common at 48.6% prevalence 3
• Onychomycosis affects 29.9% 3
• Rosacea occurs in 25.6% 3
• Actinic keratosis affects 22.3% 3
• Asteatotic eczema occurs in 20.8% 3
• Men have significantly higher rates of skin diseases than women in this age group (P < .001) 3

Important Clinical Caveats

Geographic and Socioeconomic Variations

• Clinical practice guidelines show poor correlation (R² = 0.1676) with actual disease burden measured by disability-adjusted life years 1
• Melanoma and keratinocyte cancers are disproportionately represented in guidelines from high-income countries (Australasia, Europe, North America) 1
• Acne, alopecia areata, cellulitis, and scabies are under-represented in guidelines relative to their actual disease burden 1

Morbidity and Quality of Life Impact

• Chronic skin diseases like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis cause significant morbidity through physical discomfort and impaired quality of life 4
• The health-related quality of life impact of acne is comparable to chronic conditions such as asthma, psoriasis, and arthritis 1
• Acne is associated with increased risks of stigmatization, bullying, depression, anxiety, poor self-esteem, and suicidal ideation 1
• Chronic skin conditions substantially affect physical, psychological, and social well-being, putting patients at high risk for depression and anxiety 5

Hospitalized Older Adults

In geriatric medicine wards, the most commonly encountered conditions are:

• Asteatotic eczema 6
• Incontinence-associated dermatitis 6
• Seborrheic dermatitis 6
• Chronic venous insufficiency 6
• Cellulitis 6

Hospitalization represents an opportunity to diagnose and manage previously unrecognized skin conditions unrelated to the primary admission 6