Skin Conditions

Did you know your skin is the largest organ of your body? It plays a vital role in several bodily functions. Any problems associated with the skin can be relatively big and troublesome. Skin conditions include diseases that can clog, irritate, or inflame your skin. These diseases or conditions can cause various symptoms like rashes, inflammation, and itchiness, to name a few.

Follow along to see and learn the functions of the skin, causes of skin conditions, symptoms, and the most common types of skin conditions.

What Are the Functions of Skin?

Your skin has numerous important functions; they are:

• Holding and absorbing fluid, preventing dehydration
• Helping you feel sensations such as temperature or pain

• Maintaining optimal body temperature
• Keeping bacteria, fungi, and viruses at bay
• Creating vitamin D on exposure to sunlight
• Protecting your body from excess heat and light

What Causes Skin Conditions or Diseases?

Skin conditions could be a result of several causes, such as:

1. Genetic predisposition
2. Bacteria trapped within your hair follicles or skin pores
3. Medical conditions that affect your organs like kidneys and thyroid
4. Autoimmune factors
5. Environmental triggers like dust or pollen
6. Fungus or parasites inhabiting your skin
7. Medications like drugs used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
8. Complications of diabetes
9. Excessive sun exposure

What Are the Common Symptoms of Skin Conditions?

Skin conditions typically present with the following symptoms:

• Abnormal skin patches or pigmentation
• Dry, itchy skin
• Scaly or rough skin
• Open lesions or sores
• Abnormal peeling of the skin
• Discolored rashes
• Red or white pus-filled nodules or boils

What Are the Most Common Types of Skin Conditions?

There are several skin conditions, but the most common ones are discussed below:

Acne

• Acne, or acne vulgaris, is a common skin condition usually developing due to abnormal clogging of skin pores by bacteria and debris.
• Skin lesions develop through pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, pumps, and nodules.
• Treatment includes:
  1. Topical antibiotic gels, creams, lotions, and ointments such as benzoyl peroxide and retinoid
  2. Oral antibiotics
  3. Dietary changes
  4. Corticosteroid injections
  5. Laser therapy

Alopecia Areata

• This is an autoimmune disorder characterized by hair loss.
• Affecting people of all age groups, it develops as a patchy hair loss due to damage to the hair follicles.
• Treatment options include:
  1. Topical minoxidil, oral steroid, or injectables.
  2. Laser therapy to activate hair follicles
  3. Natural treatments like aromatherapy or acupuncture.

Eczema

• This type of condition causes the skin to become dry, bumpy, and itchy due to the weakening of the skin barrier.
• There are different types of eczema, such as:
  1. Contact dermatitis
  2. Seborrheic dermatitis
  3. Atopic dermatitis
• Treatment options include:
  1. Topical anti-inflammatory, antihistamines or corticosteroids
  2. Immunosuppressant drugs
  3. Laser therapy
  4. Avoiding triggers

Psoriasis

• This is a chronic (long-lasting) skin condition that is autoimmune.
• It causes inflammatory, thick, discolored, scaly areas on the skin known as plaques.
• Despite no definite cure for psoriasis, the following treatment options can help relieve symptoms.
  1. Skin moisturizers
  2. Steroid creams
  3. Vitamin D3 ointment
  4. Retinoid creams

Candidiasis

• Candidiasis affecting the skin is cutaneous candidiasis, which occurs due to a fungal infection.
• The affected areas of the skin develop tiny lesions or pustules that may or may not be painful.
• Cutaneous candidiasis can be effectively treated by following good personal hygiene and using antifungal and corticosteroid creams.

Rosacea

• Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin condition causing facial redness, including your eyes (ocular rosacea). It may also involve other areas of your body.
• Treatment options:
  1. Topical antibiotics
  2. Anti-inflammatory creams and lotions
  3. Oral antibiotics
  4. Eye drops
  5. Laser treatment

Shingles

• Also known as herpes, this skin condition is caused by a virus named varicella-zoster that results in painful, red blisters with pus, accompanied by fever and headache.
• Treatment options include:
  1. Antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory medications
  2. Home remedies like cold showers, compressions, and application of soothing body lotions.

Urticaria

• Urticaria is a skin condition accompanied by skin rashes, itching, and swelling. These rashes are also known as welts or hives.
• This is caused due to an allergic reaction in the skin.
• Treatment includes:
  1. Antiseptic creams
  2. Topical steroids ointments
  3. Oral antihistamines

Lupus

• This inflammatory autoimmune disease (your immune system attacks its cells) affects the skin and several parts of your body.
• It is characterized by a classic butterfly-shaped skin rash, mouth sores, hair loss, fever, fatigue, and joint pain.
• Treatment options:
  1. Prescription NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
  2. Oral or injectable steroids
  3. Antirheumatic drugs
  4. Immunosuppressants

Skin tags

• These are small, benign (non-cancerous) growths that appear to be the same color as your skin. They may grow in clusters and appear darker, resembling a raised mole.
• Skin tags are often harmless and usually do not require any treatment. They may even fall off on their own.
• However, skin tags on the face, causing an unaesthetic appearance, may be removed through laser therapy.

Vitiligo

• It is a chronic skin condition that causes your skin to lose color or pigment.
• It is an autoimmune skin condition when your body's immune system destroys the melanin-producing melanocytes.
• Vitiligo requires treatment mostly due to cosmetic reasons, which include:
  • Medication like corticosteroids
  • Light therapy
  • Depigmentation therapy
  • Surgery such as skin grafting
  • Counseling

Cellulitis

• It is an inflammation within the skin layers and tissues due to an abnormal infiltration of bacteria.
• The skin becomes red, swollen, tender, and feels warm.
• Treatment for cellulitis includes:
  • Antibiotics
  • Wound care
  • Rest
  • Leg elevation

Ringworm Infection

• This skin condition occurs due to fungal infection as round red patches with a clear center on different areas of the skin.
• Types of ringworm infections include:
  • Tinea capitis: Ringworm of the scalp
  • Athlete's foot: Ringworm of the feet
  • Jock itch: Ringworm affecting the groin
• Ringworm infections are often treated by antifungal medications, either topical or oral.

Skin cancer

• Skin cancer is a condition that involves the growth of abnormal cells in your skin tissues.
• Most skin cancers are curable if detected and treated at an early stage.
• There are three significant types of skin cancers, namely:
  • Basal cell carcinoma
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Melanoma
• Based on the type and extent of skin cancer, treatment options include:
  • Cryotherapy
  • Excisional surgery
  • MOHS surgery
  • Curettage and electrodesiccation
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Photodynamic therapy
  • Immunotherapy

Takeaway

Skin conditions vary in intensity and severity. Some may be harmless, while others can cause inflammation, pain, and discomfort. Knowing the warning signs of skin conditions is essential to identify the problem and seek timely medical care. If you notice abnormal skin symptoms, consult your dermatologist immediately for further evaluation and management with the best possible treatment plan.