WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SKIN PROBLEMS?

ALL ABOUT COMMON SKIN PROBLEMS

Skin problems varied in symptoms and severity. Some skin problems are temporary other can be permanent. They can be painless or painful. Skin problems are greatly related to aging, genetics, hormones, allergic reaction or sun exposure or toxic chemicals. Some skin problems are minor, and others can be life-threatening. While most skin problems are minor, others can indicate a more solemn issue.

Let’s come in know the most commonly noticed skin problems here:

ACNE (ACNE VULGARIS)

• The most common skin disorder is acne (acne vulgaris) and caused by blocked hair follicles and oil glands of the skin.
• In addition, it can be triggered by hormonal fluctuations.
• Usually located on the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and upper back
• Acne treatment is crucial because acne left untreated can often lead to permanent scars and dark facial spots.

ECZEMA (ATOPIC DERMATITIS)

• Eczema is a condition that makes the skin red and itchy, more common in children but can occur at any age.
• Atopic dermatitis’s exact cause is not well understood, but study shows that it may involve many factor such as environment, genetics and immune system.
• It can appear red to brownish-gray patches, especially on the hands, feet, scalp, ankles, wrists, neck, upper chest eyelid and in the creases and folds of the skin.
• Affected areas may be red, itchy, greasy, or oily
• Falling of hair may occur in the area with the rash
• This medical condition is related to a gene transmutation that affects skin’s aptitude to protect from environmental factors, irritants and allergens.
• While eczema usually occurs in people with allergies, allergies do not cause eczema.

VITILIGO (LEUCODERMA)

• This skin conditon also known as leucoderma, an autoimmune disorder wherein the immune system of the body attacks the body’s healthy cells.
• It is characterized by Loss of skin pigmentation due to autoimmune destruction of the cells (melanocytes) that provide skin’s natural color.
• Vitiligo can result in discolored patches in different areas of the body, including the hair, mucous membranes and skin.
• It may be related to family history (hereditary), immune disorders (autoimmune condition) or A trigger event, such as stress, solemn sunburn, skin trauma (chemical contact), stress etc.

RINGWORM

• Ringworm, also known as dermatophilosis, dermatophyte infection is a type of fungal infection of the skin.
• The infection initially appear Circular-shaped scaly rashes with raised border on affected areas of the skin and later may spread to other parts of the body.
• Skin in the middle of the ring look like clear and healthy but edges of the ring may spread outward.
• It may affect the scalp, feet, nails, groin, and beard etc.

URTICARIA (HIVES)

• Hives are the familiar welts that can occur on the skin. Medication, food, and stings or bug bites are most common causes of urticaria.
• Hives cover a large area of the body, throat or facial area is swelling, or they can also affect the breathing.
• Symptoms include Itchy, raised welts that occur after exposure to an allergen, Red, warm, and mildly painful to the touch
• Hives welt can be small, round, and ring-shaped or large and randomly shaped
• urticaria usually go away in 3 to 5 hours; however, in some people urticaria may persist for months or years; this is known as chronic urticaria.

Read Also: Winter Skin Care Tips

CONTACT DERMATITIS

• Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema
• Most of us have had contact dermatitis – when we touch something that evolves into a skin reaction.
• Contact dermatitis may come from jewelry, latex gloves, plants (poison ivy, sumac, oak), and irritants like bleach or soaps.
• To prevent contact dermatitis, avoid the infected objects as much as possible.

CELLULITIS

• It is a common, potentially serious bacterial or fungal skin infection.
• Bacteria and fungi can enter through the cut or cracked skin.
• The affected area seems red, swollen and typically painful.
• Warm and tender to the touch.
• Cellulitis usually affects the skin on the lower legs, but it can occur in the face, arms and other part of body.
• Symptoms include red, painful, swollen skin with or without oozing that spreads speedily

BASAL CELL CARCINOMA

• Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer that grows in the skin’s upper basal cells but rarely spreads and is curable.
• Spending lots of time in the sun increases risk of basal Cell Carcinoma
• They appear shiny, red and scaly, or like an open sore and generally occur on the head, ears, nose, and neck.
• Easy bleeding or oozing wound that doesn’t seem to heal, or heals and then reappears

LATEX ALLERGY

Latex allergy comes under a medical emergency. Urgent medical attention may be required.

• After exposure to a latex product Rash may occur within minutes to hours
• At the site of contact Warm, itchy, red wheals may appear and repeated exposure to latex leads a dry, crusted appearance.
• Airborne latex mites may cause frequent sneezing, runny nose, cough, and itchy, watery eyes.
• A severe allergy to latex can cause swelling and difficulty breathing

PREVENTING MEASURES FOR SKIN DISORDERS

Follow these tips to prevent infectious skin disorders:

• Take a shower or bath daily.
• Wash your hands with warm water and soap repeatedly
• A take a nutritious diet.
• Drink lots of water.
• Avoid direct contact with the infectious people.
• Keep affected area covered and moist
• Clean things in public spaces, such as gym equipment, before using them.
• limit prolonged sunlight exposure
• Don’t share personal things, like blankets, hairbrushes, or swimsuits with other people.
• Get enough sleep at least 7 to 8 hours each night.
• excessive physical or emotional stress should be avoided
• Limit sharing drinking glasses and eating utensils with other people.
• Get vaccinated for infectious skin disorders, such as measles, mumps and chickenpox.
• poor personal habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol should be avoided
• Do not scratch affected areas of the skin.