8 Common skin conditions you should know about
Posted By Suborna Fermi
Posted on Sep 23, 2024
Skin diseases are widespread conditions. Skin diseases refer to a range of conditions that affect the skin and cause rashes, inflammation, and irritation. Some skin conditions like acne, and cold sores can be temporary, while others like eczema and psoriasis can be chronic or life-long conditions. On the other hand, skin cancer can be life-threatening if left undiagnosed. In this blog post, learn about the different types of skin diseases.
Temporary skin conditions:
1. Acne
Acne is one of the most common skin issues and can affect people of all ages. They mainly occur on the face, chest, shoulder and upper back. The breakouts on the skin involve pimples, nodules, painful cysts, blackheads and whiteheads. Untreated acne can leave intense dark spots. Some people may also experience post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Healthcare providers generally recommend medication or hormonal therapy to treat acne.
2. Cold sores
Cold sores are described as red, painful, fluid-filled blisters that usually appear near the mouth and lips. Before the cold sores appear, you may feel itchiness or burning near the affected area. Some people may also experience flu-like symptoms along with cold sores. The herpes simplex virus causes cold sores. Unfortunately, there are no treatments for cold cores.
3. Hives
Hives are itchy, raised welts that occur after exposure to allergens. They can be warm and painful to touch, and they can be round or randomly shaped. Acute hives may occur due to an allergic reaction to histamine. Chronic hives may occur due to bacterial infections, or medical conditions like lupus. However, a skin care profile can help determine the cause. Healthcare providers recommend corticosteroids or antihistamines to treat hives.
4. Warts
Human papillomavirus, widely known as HPV causes warts. These contagious warts usually appear on hands, feet, or joints. In most cases, these warts go away on their own. Getting a skin care checkup can help determine the cause of warts. However, doctors may recommend wart removal depending on the type and location of the warts.
Lasting skin conditions:
Apart from temporary skin problems, other skin diseases may last throughout one’s life.
1. Seborrheic dermatitis
In children, healthcare providers refer to seborrheic dermatitis as “cradle cap” which describes greasy and scaly patches on the baby’s skin, specifically on the scalp. In adults, seborrheic dermatitis may appear anywhere on the skin. The patches can be greasy, reddish and swollen. Treatments may involve special shampoo or medicated cream.
2. Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic skin disease that causes Inflammation or redness on the skin. This condition goes through a cycle of disappearance and reoccurrence. Reoccurrence may happen due to spicy foods, alcoholic beverages, intestine bacteria, sunlight and stress. There are four types of rosacea, causing a wide range of symptoms. Common symptoms include red bumps, facial flushing, and skin sensitivity. People with darker skin tones may experience brown discolouration or swollen patches. However, there is no particular treatment for rosacea, doctors recommend oral anti-inflammatory medications.
3. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that causes itchy and scaly skin plaque. People with whiter skin tones may experience red or pink with white scales. People with darker skin tones may experience dark brown or purplish patches. The affected areas may vary in size and severity. These patches generally occur on the scalp, lower back, elbows, and knees. Doctors recommend certain medications, including creams or ointments to treat psoriasis.
4. Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition that develops during childhood. There are multiple types of eczema, including seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis. Eczema is characterized by itchy rashes that usually appear on the face, scalp, neck, wrists, elbows, and legs. These symptoms can be less visible in darker-skinned people than in lighter-skinned people. There is no permanent cure for eczema. Generally, eczema may resolve on its own, but medications may help ease the symptoms.
Although some skin conditions are temporary, some can be chronic. While some skin diseases are harmless, others can be discomforting. If you are dealing with skin issues, remember one thing you are not dealing with skin issues alone. If you have skin issues, go for a skincare blood test to find out the exact cause. Although certain skin issues may not be permanently treated, some can be managed with proper medications.