Whether it's acne as a teenager or sun damage as you age, your face is likely to be affected by skin disorders throughout your life. The skin can be affected by hundreds of different conditions. There are a number of common causes of similar symptoms, so learning how to distinguish them can be helpful. Let’s take a look at what is a skin condition and how to identify skin types conditions and characteristics.
Common Skin Conditions - the Basics
A skin condition is characterized by swelling, itching, burning, redness or an inflammatory response resulting from clogging, irritation, or inflammation of your skin. Bad skin conditions like rashes, hives, and allergic reactions can be caused by allergies, irritants, genetics, and diseases. There are different skin types and skin conditions can also vary depending on the health and type of your skin.
1. Acne
A clogged pore with dead skin cells and oil causes acne to break out. Blackheads are pores that stay open and become dark; whiteheads are pores that are completely blocked. Your face, chest, and back are most commonly affected by acne caused by bacteria and hormones. A pus-filled pimple or cyst can also occur as a result of acne. For acne control, make sure oily areas are kept clean and avoid squeezing (squeezing can cause infections and scars).
Use Simple Daily Skin Detox Purifying Facial Wash that helps in fighting clogged pores and oily skin. It is made with a detoxifying blend of thyme, zinc and witch hazel to deeply clean dirt, oil and make-up while being gentle on skin.
2. Boils
Boils or furuncles result from a deep infection of a hair follicle and cause painful pus-filled bumps on the skin. Staphylococcus aureus is typically responsible for the infection called "staph". Staph germs live on a person's skin or in their nose without harming them. There are many people who are "carriers" of it. Bumps in the skin can result from minor breaks (such as scratches or friction) that allow the germ to enter and infect hair follicles.
3. Cold sores
Small, painless, fluid-filled blisters appear on the mouth or nose as a result of the outbreak of the herpes simplex virus. Cold sores are contagious and last for about 10 days. Hormonal changes like periods, fever, excessive sun exposure and stress can all trigger symptoms. There are antiviral pills and creams that can help treat cold sores. Do not hesitate to contact your doctor if you discover pus or if the redness spreads, if your eyes become itchy, or if you have a fever. A prescription pill or cream can be used to treat these conditions.
4. Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis occurs when you get a rash after touching something or coming into contact with something. Although this is a very common skin condition, it is sometimes difficult to deal with on your own because of its complexity. Your skin may appear pink or red if you have contact dermatitis that appears suddenly (acute). Additionally, it may have blisters and itchy bumps.
Your skin may become thick or discoloured if you do not treat your contact dermatitis or if it develops with repeated exposure (chronic). Lesions (such as sores or damaged areas) may also appear on the skin.
In most cases, contact dermatitis will heal without treatment in a few weeks. Your doctor may prescribe medication if the rash does not go away, or if it comes back after it goes away.
5. Eczema
The term eczema refers to a group of non-contagious skin conditions characterized by itching, inflammation, redness, and dryness. Although doctors aren't sure what causes eczema, there is evidence that the environment, allergens, stress and irritants (such as soap) may contribute to flare-ups. The condition is most common in adults on their hands, elbows, and skin folds. Eczema can be treated with a number of medications. There are some that are applied to the skin, and there are others that are taken orally.
6. Hives (Urticaria)
Hives are similar to welts, and they can be painful, itchy, or stingy. Their size varies and sometimes they are grouped together. You can get them anywhere on your body, and they can last for a few minutes or up to a few days. The symptoms can be triggered by high temperatures, infections such as strep throat, and allergies to foods, medications, and flavour enhancers. It is possible to treat allergies and allergic skin conditions with skin creams and antihistamines.
7. Psoriasis
The skin of a person with psoriasis is thick, reddish, and covered with scales that are white or silvery in colour. The causes of psoriasis are known – it is caused by an overactive immune system that triggers the production of new skin cells – however, the cause is unknown. Typically, patches appear on the lower back, elbows, knees, and scalp. It is possible for them to heal and come back over the course of your life. A range of treatments is available, including creams, ointments, oral medications, injections, and intravenous medications.
8. Rosacea
When you flush easily and then have red cheeks, lips, nose, and forehead, you may have rosacea. You can see blood vessels over time, making them look redder. The skin may thicken, you may experience bumps, and you may have pimples filled with pus. Your eyes may even be affected. Medications can be taken orally or applied topically. Using lasers, practitioners can treat red or thickened skin and broken blood vessels.
Skin conditions can cause discomfort, distress, and a variety of other symptoms, depending on the severity. Remember that you are not alone in dealing with your skin issues. It is important to seek the advice of a medical professional, such as a dermatologist, in order to guarantee a correct diagnosis and to determine the best course of treatment.
Know that these conditions can be rightly diagnosed and treated by a trained and practicing dermatologist only, consult your doctor before any treatment.
FAQs about Common Skin Conditions
What are the common symptoms of skin conditions?
Symptoms of many common skin conditions are similar, including:
Itchiness
Bumps
Reddened skin
Lesions
What are some ways to diagnose skin problems?
The symptoms and the examination of the skin can help the doctor diagnose many skin problems. It is sometimes necessary to conduct additional testing. Infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi can be diagnosed with a variety of skin tests. The diagnosis of cancer progression is made by performing a skin biopsy to differentiate between benign (noncancerous) growths, malignant (cancerous) cells, and rashes.
Written by Kinnari Ashar on Sep 07, 2022