Skin Diseases: Symptoms, Image, Causes, Treatment

Skin diseases are a broad range of conditions that include diseases caused by bacterial, viral & parasitic infections, allergic reactions as well as skin cancers. The most common of these conditions is atopic dermatitis, a type of skin inflammation that mostly starts in infancy. Though many skin diseases are not fatal or life-threatening, they can be debilitating and significantly affect people’s quality of life. In this article, we’ll cover the most common skin conditions, their underlying causes, their symptoms, treatment options, as well as some preventive means. 

What are some common skin diseases?

Skin conditions are illnesses that affect skin, hair, nail as well as mucosal area. These diseases can cause rashes, inflammation, itchiness, and other skin changes. They can be either temporary or permanent.. Some skin conditions are minor, whereas others can be fatal.

Skin diseases vary in their symptoms and presentations, some are itchy or rashy skin, others appear blotchy or feel thick or bumpy. Most skin conditions can be properly treated by a board-certified dermatologist, however, some can become very serious if there are any delays in seeking proper care. 

Types of Skin Disorders

Rashes (skin eruptions), inflammation, itching, and other skin changes can be caused by inflammatory skin diseases. We will discuss few common skin disorders in this article.:

Acne

When your hair follicles get blocked with oil and dead skin cells, acne, an inflammatory skin condition develops. Acne can affect anyone at any age, but it is most common in teenagers. Slowly dissipating bumps and pimples are followed by the emergence of new ones. If acne is not treated, it can cause permanent scars. Your risk of developing such complications decreases the earlier you start your treatment.

Hives (Urticaria)

Hives, weals, welts, or nettle rash are other names for the itchy, raised skin rash known as urticaria. It can appear on just one part of the body or cover a large area. The rash can be as small as a few millimeters or as large as covering the entire skin and is typically very itchy. Despite the fact that the affected area may change its appearance within 24 hours, the rash usually resolves within a few days.

Unspecified Skin Rash

A rash is a widespread outbreak of skin. Rashes can have a wide range of appearances, and there are numerous potential causes. Some rashes do not require treatment and will go away on their own; others can be treated at home, and still, others may be a sign of something more serious.

Herpes

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common infection simply known as herpes. One of its most common symptoms is a group of itchy blisters. HSV-1 and HSV-2 are the two types of HSV that can cause skin rashes in different areas.

• HSV-1 typically causes orolabial herpes. It affects the region around the mouth and nose and spreads through saliva. 
• Sexual contact is typically how HSV-2 spreads and causes genital herpes. The genital area is where the rash appears. Orolabial herpes can also be spread via oral sex.

Melasma

Melasma is a skin condition that causes patches and spots that are darker than the skin’s natural tone, usually on the face. Melasma is a common skin condition that can be confused with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Board-certified dermatologists have the knowledge and experience needed to provide you with an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a catch-all term for any type of skin irritation. It has numerous causes and manifestations, but the most common are itchy, dry skin. Conversely, it might result in the skin blistering, oozing, crusting, or flaking off. Eczema is not a contagious skin condition. Depending on the type of dermatitis, the underlying cause of it can significantly vary 

How to Prevent Skin Diseases?

Some skin conditions cannot be prevented. For instance, there is no way of changing your genetic profile or preventing an autoimmune disorder from occurring. You can take precautions to prevent infectious skin diseases. Contagious skin conditions may be avoided if you:

• Use soap and warm water to wash your hands frequently.
• Keep your distance from anyone who has an infection on their skin.
• Cleaning everything you use is a smart idea before using public areas like the gym.
• Never share private items like swimsuits, blankets, or hairbrushes.
• Get enough sleep; seven to eight hours daily.
• Drink a great deal of water.
• It is best to avoid undergoing too much physical or emotional stress.

These tips can help you avoid skin disorders like atopic dermatitis and acne, which are not contagious:

• Use a mild cleanser and water to wash your face every day.
• Apply moisturizer to your skin.
• Try to limit your exposure to allergens of all kinds.
• Avoid coming into contact with harsh chemicals and other irritants.
• Avoid harsh wind, heat, and cold on your skin.

Skin Disease Prevention and Diet

Studies suggest an increasing body of research has found that dietary change may serve as a component of therapy for certain skin conditions. Acne, atopic dermatitis, aging skin, psoriasis, and rosacea are a few examples of these conditions. While other foods, nutrients, or dietary habits might be advantageous, some could act as disease “triggers.” Avoidance or elimination diets may be helpful in some conditions, although testing may be recommended first. An eating pattern that prioritizes the consumption of whole foods over highly processed foods may be able to treat some skin conditions and will undoubtedly be able to prevent the co-morbidities that go along with them.

How to Treat Skin Conditions?

The severity of skin diseases determines how they are treated. It may take several months of treatment before skin condition symptoms improve. Topical agents, oral, injection, and laser treatments are all common treatments for skin conditions. Below is a brief look into how skin diseases are treated.

Laser skin resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing removes skin by vaporizing it layer by layer. This well-known procedure is also recognized as lasabrasion, laser peel, or laser vaporization. The epidermis, or top layer of your skin, is removed by laser treatment while the dermis, or inner layer, is heated. The lasers stimulate the growth of new collagen fibers, resulting in smoother and firmer skin.

Acne or chickenpox scars, uneven skin pigmentation, skin scars or birthmarks, age spots, liver spots, and sun-damaged skin are all examples of skin conditions that would be treated with laser skin resurfacing.

Medication

Skin conditions are treated with both topical and oral medications. Topical medications are generally easier to use than oral medications because they are applied directly to the skin rather than being swallowed.

The following are some common topical treatments for skin conditions:

• Antibacterials: These include Mupirocin and clindamycin and are frequently used to treat or prevent infection.
• Antifungal agents: To treat skin conditions like ringworm and athlete’s foot, common topical antifungal medications include clotrimazole (Lotrimin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and terbinafine (Lamisil).
• Benzoyl peroxide: Acne is treated with benzoyl peroxide-containing creams, gels, washes, and foams.
• Coal tar: This topical medication comes in strengths ranging from 0.5% to 5% and is offered both with and without a prescription. Psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis are two conditions that coal tar is used to treat (typically in shampoos).
• Corticosteroids: These are used to treat eczema and other skin conditions. Foams, lotions, ointments, and creams are just a few of the many different forms that corticosteroids can take.
• Non-steroidal ointment: For eczema, including atopic dermatitis, the ointments crisaborole (Eucrisa) and tacrolimus (Protopic), as well as the cream pimecrolimus (Elidel), are prescribed.
• Retinoids: These treatments (including Differin, Retin-A, and Tazorac) come in the form of gels, foams, lotions, or creams and are made from vitamin A. They are used to treat conditions such as acne.
• Salicylic acid: This medication is available in patches, gels, soaps, shampoos, and washes. Many skincare products that are used to treat warts and acne contain the active ingredient salicylic acid.

The following are some frequent oral or injectable treatments for skin conditions:

• Antibiotics: Many skin conditions are treated with oral antibiotics. Dicloxacillin, erythromycin, and tetracycline are typical antibiotics.
• Retinoids: All forms of severe psoriasis are specifically treated with acitretin (Soriatane). It slows the growth of skin cells. It should not be used if you are planning to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding because it causes serious birth defects.
• Antifungal agents: itraconazole and fluconazole are examples of oral antifungal medications. More serious fungal infections can be treated with these medications. An oral antifungal medication called terbinafine may be used to treat nail fungus infections.
• Antiviral agents: acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir are examples of common antiviral medications (Valtrex). Herpes and shingles-related skin conditions are also treated with antiviral medications.
• Corticosteroids: Prednisone is one of these medications that can be useful in treating eczema and other inflammatory and autoimmune skin conditions, like vasculitis. Dermatologists prefer topical steroids because they have fewer side effects, but prednisone can occasionally be used temporarily.
• Immunosuppressants: Severe cases of psoriasis and eczema can be treated with immunosuppressants like azathioprine (Imuran) and methotrexate (Trexall).
• Biologics: The most recent treatments for psoriasis and other conditions are these new therapies. Biologic medications include, for instance, adalimumab (Humira), adalimumab-atto (Amgevita), a biosimilar to Humira, etanercept (Enbrel), etanercept-szzs (Erelzi), a biosimilar to Enbrel, infliximab (Remicade), ixekizumab (Taltz), and secukinumab (Ilumya).
• Enzyme inhibitors: To combat inflammation, enzyme inhibitors like apremilast (Otezla) block an enzyme in the immune system. An FDA-approved enzyme inhibitor for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis/eczema is called Eucrisa ointment.

Final Thoughts

Skin health can benefit greatly from learning about proper skin care and skin disorder treatment. Some conditions require the attention of a doctor, while others can be safely treated at home. These symptoms include dry skin, itchiness, skin pigmentation, bumps, blisters, dark spots on the skin, and skin discoloration or spotty formation. Learn about your symptoms or condition and consult with a professional to determine the best treatment methods, which might include topical, oral, or surgical. A dermatologist must perform a diagnosis because not everyone experiences the same symptoms from the same skin condition.