Dermatologists around the world believe that a person’s skin reflects their internal health. This is because the accessibility and visibility of your skin make it the first organ that can alert you to the detectable signs of an underlying disease.
What are skin diseases / problems?
The human skin is the largest organ in our body. Any disease or condition that affects the skin is called a skin disease. Be aware, however, that skin diseases and treatments can vary widely in symptoms and severity depending on the cause. Some skin diseases have situational causes, while others can be hereditary.
Causes of Skin Diseases
Some of the most common causes of skin problems are:
- Bacteria are found in hair follicles and skin pores
- Parasites, fungi, or other microorganisms that survive on the skin
- Different viruses
- A weakened immune system
- Contact with irritants, allergens, or with a person’s infected skin
- Hereditary factors
- Diseases that affect the immune system, kidneys, thyroid, and other body systems
Apart from this, various other health conditions and lifestyle problems can also lead to the development of skin conditions. Some skin conditions develop without a known cause.
Types of skin diseases
Here is a list of skin diseases or conditions that are common in humans.
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions that affects people around the world. It can appear on the face, chest, neck, shoulders, and upper back. Acne breakouts typically occur when the skin pores on these parts of the body become clogged and swollen from excessive buildup of dead skin and oil. It often begins during puberty and can progress into middle age in some people.
The most common cause of cold sores is the highly contagious herpes simplex virus, or HSV. These appear as a group of blisters on the mouth or lips and are often not a serious condition. In most cases, cold sores will go away on their own within two weeks.
Beehive is an allergic reaction that appears as itchy wheals on the skin, the size of which can vary significantly. In most cases, a beehive usually disappears within a day. However, sometimes a torch can last up to six weeks. Antihistamines have been shown to be helpful in relieving the itching associated with hives.
This disease often manifests as a tendency to blush faster than others. The main symptoms of rosacea are redness, tenderness, and dryness of the skin. Sometimes the raised, red bumps can extend beyond the cheek and nose areas to the chin, forehead, ears, back, and chest.
Eczema is a common condition that mostly affects children. The main symptom of this disease is dry, scaly patches on the skin. Such spots can appear on the forehead, scalp, hands, face, and cheeks. Eczema can be a chronic skin condition and is often treated with antihistamines and skin creams that help relieve itching.
Psoriasis is also one of the most common skin conditions affecting people around the world. The most common variant of this disease is known as plaque psoriasis. It is a condition in which new skin cells form within a short period of time that pile up on the surface of the skin and form scaly patches. Plaques often appear on the elbows, lower back, knees, and scalp.
Keratosis pilaris shows up as tiny bumps on the skin, similar to small pimples. These bumps are harmless clumps of dead skin cells that are often found on the thighs and arms. Treating dry skin will help reduce the bumps and soothe the itchiness that it causes.
Melanoma is a severe form of skin cancer that often looks like a benign mole on the skin. However, it tends to multiply quickly and can be fatal if not diagnosed at an early stage. However, melanoma is well treatable if it is detected by your dermatologist in early screenings.
This is an autoimmune disease that affects different parts of the body such as the skin, lungs, and kidneys. Lupus often looks like a thick, scaly patch on the face, a widespread rash on the back, a wound in the nose or mouth, or a flare-up similar to a sunburn. It is often triggered by ultraviolet light, sunlight, and stress.
Treatment of skin conditions
If you don’t know how to cure skin conditions, be aware that many skin conditions are treatable. Here are some standard treatment methods recommended by dermatologists.
- Antibiotics
- Antihistamines
- Ointments and medicated creams
- Steroid or vitamin injections
- Laser therapy
- Prescription drugs
Keep in mind that some skin conditions will not respond to treatments, while others will go away without treatment. In case you are concerned about healing skin conditions, be aware that with the right treatment you may be able to bring the condition into remission. However, they can recur when faced with certain triggers such as illness and stress.
On the other hand, if you have temporary skin conditions, here are a few things you can try:
- Skin care products available without a prescription
- Good hygiene practices
- Medical makeup
- Specific lifestyle changes, e.g. B. changing your diet
Prevent skin diseases
As mentioned earlier, some skin conditions are unavoidable, especially those that are hereditary. However, you can prevent other types of infectious skin conditions by following these tips.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water.
- Avoid sharing drinking glasses and eating utensils with others.
- Avoid direct contact with people who have a skin infection.
- Clean anything you use in public places like the gym before using it.
- Never share personal items such as hairbrushes, blankets, or swimsuits.
- Get at least seven hours of sleep a day.
- Drink much water.
- Avoid excessive emotional or physical stress.
- Eat a balanced and nutritious diet.
You can prevent non-contagious skin conditions like eczema and acne by following these tips.
- Wash your face daily with water and a gentle cleanser.
- Use a skin moisturizer.
- Avoid all types of allergens as much as possible.
- Avoid contact with strong chemicals and other skin-irritating substances.
- Protect your skin from excessive wind, heat, and cold.
Remember, learning about common skin conditions and treatments can help keep your skin healthy and glowing. This will help you understand your skin condition better and visit a dermatologist and, if necessary, talk to him about treatment methods.
Dr. Farzana Mehboobunnisa | Specialist – Dermatology and Cosmetics | Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, HSR Layout, Bangalore
Thank You For Reading!
Reference: www.narayanahealth.org