Our entire body is protected by our skin. It acts as a barrier against infection, extremes of heat and cold and is potentially damaged by harmful stimuli such as the sun and burning agents such as scalding water. Conditions can arise in the skin from birth as well as can be acquired in later life. These can be either benign (friendly) conditions or malignant (unfriendly) .The following sections serve as an introduction to the common conditions affecting the skin.