WHAT IS SKIN DISORDER?
skin diseases an inflamed and bacterial skin conditions that affect your skin. This disease may include rashes, itchiness, pain, blisters, acne, or discolouration. Some skin diseases are hereditary, while some are caused by lifestyle. Some skin diseases are curable and some of them are permanent. Skin disease treatment may include chemical treatment, surgeries, therapies, oral medications, ointments, creams etc.
TYPE OF SKIN DISORDER
Many types of skin diseases exist. The most common skin diseases are–
ACNE
Acne is a long-term skin disorder. A common skin condition that happens when hair follicles under the skin become clogged by sebum and dead skin cells, which leads to breakouts, acne, pimples, blackheads or whiteheads. Most often breakouts appear on the face as well as the chest, back, arms and bump. Acne treatment by a dermatologist is important because acne can lead to permanent scars and facial dark spots. You can start to explore the various cosmetic treatments such as resurfacing, dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, chemical peel, DOT (dermal optical thermolysis), IPL( intense pulsed light), micro-needling, that help smooth out and heal your skin. In that case, you’ll need the guidance of your dermatologist. Some selected topical ingredients for acne treatment such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene etc, are best for moderate acne. With the doctor’s prescription, antibiotics work for most types of inflammatory acne. This includes red pimples, pustules, and mild cystic breakouts. However, they may not work well for severe cystic breakouts or for inflammatory acne that is very hormone-dependent.
PSORIASIS
Psoriasis is an incurable skin disease that causes the rapid build-up of skin cells. The most common symptoms occur scaling, redness, itch and inflammation. People may experience pain in joints, rashes, flakiness, peeling, and small bumps. They can grow anywhere, but most appear on the genitals, palm, feet, scalp, nails, belly button, elbows, knees, and lower back. Psoriasis can’t be passed from human to human but it may run by family. Also might skip a generation. It does sometimes happen in members of the same family. Psoriasis usually appears at an early age. For most people, it affects just a few areas. In several cases, psoriasis can affect large parts of the body. The patches can heal and then come back throughout a person’s life. People with psoriasis can also get a type of arthritis, called psoriatic arthritis. It causes pain and swelling in the joints. Researcher says, between 10% to 30% of people with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis. There are no proven causes of psoriasis, but experts believe that something wrong with the immune system or infections, skin cells are normally replaced in 10 to 30 days, in the case of psoriasis, skin cells grow within 3 to 4 days. There are several types of psoriasis, including plaque psoriasis, nail psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, and erythrodermic psoriasis. Treatment can help but this chronic disease can’t be cured. With the prescription of a doctor, oral medications, excimer laser treatment or some selected topicals such as salicylic acid, coal tar, and corticosteroids might slow down the growths of skin cells.
ROSACEA
Rosacea is a skin condition that causes redness like blush and often small, red, pus-filled bumps with visible blood vessels on the face. The exact cause of rosacea is unknown but experts say this could be defects of the immune system, heredity, or environmental elements. Rosacea is run by families but it’s not contagious. Rosacea tends to begin in middle-aged women like 30 to 60, with fair skin. People may experience swollen blood vessels, small red bumps or sometimes pus-filled red bumps, red or pink facial skin, burning or stinging sensation. In some cases, itching can also occur. It most appears on the cheeks and chin with the enlarged nose. Some may also face eye problems. There is no cure for rosacea, but some treatments, Vitamin A derivatives, oral medications, antibiotics, and topical antiseptics can control and reduce symptoms, but they cannot be cured.
VITILIGO
Vitiligo is called leucoderma. It is a long-term chronic skin disease that the loss of original skin colour and appears in white patches. It is caused by the lack of melanin, which is a pigment of the skin responsible for hair and skin colour. This condition can affect anywhere on the skin but commonly happens on the face, neck, and hands including the mouth, hair and eyes. Photodynamic treatment or some oral medications can improve the appearance of the skin but it can’t be cured. This condition is not contagious or life-threatening.
COLD SORE
A cold sore is also called a fever blister, it’s a group of small, fluid-filled, painful blisters. Causes by herpes simplex (HSV 1) virus. It spreads easily by close contact with the mouth or kissing. Normally takes 2 weeks to go away. This is contagious until completely cured or the fluid flows out from the sore. Your doctor may prescribe some oral medications or antiviral creams to apply directly.
WARTS
A small, fleshy bump on the skin. Common skin warts or verruca vulgaris are caused by a human papillomavirus infection. It can occur anywhere including around the nose, and eyes, as well as other problematic locations, such as the bottom of the feet which can be particularly painful, also difficult to treat. This viral infection can be deep in the lower levels of the skin. Destructive treatments such as liquid nitrogen are difficult to give to children under 10. They generally go away on their own, but sometimes it stay for life. Either remove it with a laser or a radio-frequency machine. Warts do not produce any kind of mark or scar if you’re getting it done by a skilled dermatologist or medical professional. After treatment, warts can reoccur at the same location or in a different part of the body. But some people get rid of warts and never have one again. Warts are highly contagious, they can be spread from human to human from different parts of the body through direct contact with the wart or touching something contaminated with the virus, such as towels, doorknobs and shower floors.
DERMATITIS (eczema)
Dermatitis or eczema is a group of conditions characterised by itchy inflammation of the skin. Among the many types of dermatitis, the most common is atopic dermatitis also known as atopic eczema, which is used to describe the term “eczema” of atopic type. Symptoms of atopic dermatitis include dryness, Itching, rashes, redness, flakiness, or peeling, scaling, or sometimes small blisters. These patches may appear on the face, feet, neck, ankles, wrist, inside the elbows, behind the knees, on the buttocks and chest. This chronic can be triggered by contact with irritants such as soap, detergent powder, rough fabric, dryness, changes in temperature, stress, dental eruptions or certain foods sort as hen’s egg, citrus food, tomato, eggplant, dairy products, fish include lobster. Atopic eczema usually starts in early childhood and may last for adult life. The cause of this disease is unknown but it is possible to involve inherited. It runs in families. Eczema is not contagious. There is no cure for eczema but treatments, and medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and steroid creams aim to decrease symptoms.
MELASMA
Melasma is brown patches, usually darker than individual skin tones. Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation, it appears due to excessive secretion of eumelanin (a dark or brown type of melanin). Melasma is commonly caused by genetics, and excessive sun exposure, during pregnancy. Some triggers of melasma are certain oral medications, such as contraceptive pills or hormone replacement therapy. In some cases, it has been seen that melasma occurs with the thyroid. Sometimes it can be the cause of stress. Melasma mostly appears on cheeks, chin, upper lip, forehead, and nose. But sometimes it also can appear on the arms, neck and back. In fact, melasma can affect any part of your skin that is exposed to sunlight. That’s why most people with melasma notice that their symptoms worsen during the summer times. It is 90% common in women and 10% in men. This is not contagious. There are no definite treatments for melasma but chemical peels, and laser resurfacing might reduce the appearance of darkness. In the case of women, melasma generally fades over time or after pregnancy or if an affected woman stops taking contraceptive pills. Some oral medications and ointments such as triple combination cream (corticosteroid, hydroquinone, and tretinoin) are most effective on melasma. Or some topical ingredients namely vitamins, tranexamic acid, lactic acid, aha-bha peel or skin-lightening creams can also lighten these skin conditions. melasma may go away on its own or it might be permanent in some cases.
SKIN CANCER
Skin cancer is the growth of abnormal and out-of-control skin cells, which rapidly divide chaotically, forming a mass of cancer cells. It has been seen in the form of basal cell cancer to melanoma, which is a mild to severe condition. Basal skin cancer, is a type of cancer is begin in the basal skin cells. There are three major types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cells are located in the bottom layer of the epidermis (top layer of skin). The major cause of skin cancer is overexposure to the sun. Unprotected exposure to UVA & UVB can damage the DNA in your skin. Some more factors that might increase the risk of skin cancer such as family history, if one of your parents or siblings had it before, you might have a chance, if you developed skin cancer back in the day then you have the risk of developing it again, exposure to certain substances, such as arsenic, may increase your risk of skin cancer, having skin sore known as actinic keratoses can increase your risk of developing skin cancer, actinic keratoses is precancerous skin growths typically appear as rough, scaly patches that range in colour from brown to dark pink or red. They’re most common on the skin of the face, head, and scalp. Also, it is most common in fair-skinned people whose skin has been sun damaged. It is not contagious. Pretty much all skin cancers can be healed if it is caught and treated too soon. Medical treatments may involve radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and Mohs surgery. Also, you might have to go through local excision and skin grafting.
ACTINIC KERATOSIS
Actinic keratosis is a disorder that causes a rough, scaly patch on the skin caused by years of sun exposure to ultraviolet radiation. These skin patches can be different types of colours including pink, white, yellowish, flesh-toned, light or dark tan or a combination of these colours. They appear on the most exposed skin to the sun, together with lips, ears, face, bald scalp, hand, neck or forearms. The disease is not contagious. Actinic keratosis is a precancerous stage, which means that if you do not treat this skin disease, it could turn into cancer. Because it can become cancerous, it’s usually removed as a precaution. Without treatment, actinic keratosis can lead the way to a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Generally, actinic keratosis can be treated as well as cured. But in some rare cases, they might come back. After treatment, a regular check-up is important to know about future skin conditions.
FRECKLES
Freckles are brown dotted spots on the skin which are usually found on the face, neck, arms, back and chest. It is caused by sun exposure, genetics, or overproduction of melanin, which is responsible for skin and hair colour. Freckles often show up during childhood, and you may continue to get more until you’re in your 20s. People with fair skin or red hair are most likely to have them. Most of the freckles are harmless and non-contagious. Freckles typically fade away with time, in some cases, they tend to fade away almost completely in winter and return in summertime. Also, you can check out cosmetic treatments to make them less noticeable. Laser therapy is the most effective treatment for freckles. Some skin-lightening creams or ointments might reduce the appearance.
MELANOMA
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer that begins in the skin cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes produce melanin in skin cells, and that substance gives colour to skin and hair. It is more common in people with fair complexion, blonde hair, blue eyes and freckles. Melanomas can appear anywhere on the body. The most common type of melanoma usually appears as flat or barely raised with irregular edges and various colours. Sometimes on an asymmetrical or new mole. The exact cause of melanoma hasn’t been found, but research says excessive ultraviolet rays or tanning lamps and beds can trigger the chances of developing melanoma. Melanoma can also appear the areas that do not receive many UV rays. The risk is higher for people who have a tendency to burn rather than tan. It mostly can be seen on the nose, cheeks, forehead, back, legs, arms, the soles of feet, and face. Treatments depend on the stage, it may involve surgery, skin grafting, radiation therapy, Mohs surgery, and chemotherapy. Melanoma is highly curable if caught early, in many cases, treatment can completely cure it, especially when it has not spread extensively, otherwise, it is the most invasive skin cancer with the highest risk of death. However, sometimes it can also recur. Melanoma is not contagious.
BLISTER
A blister is a watery, fluid that contains, a bubble area that appears on the skin. A blister is usually circular in shape. The fluid can be cleared or bloody. It might be smaller or larger and can be found anywhere in the body. These are mostly caused by skin damage by rubbing (friction) or heat. It can appear alone or in a group. Shoes are often the culprit when it comes to blisters forming on the skin. New shoes can make blisters first time, avoid shoes that rub certain areas of your feet. Cover the area that are blister prone, before wearing new shoes. Wear better, double-layered cotton shocks. Keep your feet dry. Blister generally heals by self-treatment such as washing blister blister-affected area with warm water, covering it with a bandage, and avoiding rubbing. See a doctor if you can’t walk or use your hands, get a fever, redness or pus, feel pain, or it develops all over your body. Highly contagious until healed.
ICHTHYOSIS
A group of skin disorders characterised by dry, scaly or thickened skin. Ichthyosis is commonly caused by a genetic condition inherited from one or both parents. Children who inherit a defective gene from one parent have a milder form of this. Those who inherit defective genes from both parents have a more severe form of ichthyosis vulgaris (a type of ichthyosis). Symptoms depend on the type of ichthyosis. The most common symptoms include pain, dryness, tile-like scaly skin, flakiness, itching, or peeling. Not contagious. This disease can not be cured, but treatments such as oral medications, ointments and creams may relieve the scaliness, dryness or itchiness. For most severe conditions might need to use retinoids, which are a form of highly concentrated vitamin A.
LUPUS
Lupus is a skin disorder, which is caused when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. This disease can cause rashes or sores. Lupus mostly appears sun sun-exposed areas and can damage body organs including skin, heart, joints, kidneys, bones and lungs. Lupus is not contagious. However, this skin disease can not be cured. Some treatments and medications help to reduce inflammations and infections.
HIVES
Hives are itchy, skin-coloured rashes on the skin. It can be caused by medications, foods, and stress. Hives are not contagious. There are two types of hives, acute hives, which are short term and chronic hives, which are long term. These are usually self-treatable or sometimes it’s go away without treatment.
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