The skin is one of the most susceptible organs of the body. Some of the most common skin conditions include acne, rash, itchy skin, skin bumps and warts. Being the largest body organ, the effects of its skin diseases or problems is not just physical but psychological as well.
[Read: How to take care of your skin]
Skin problems are common for people of all ages. Below are the most common skin diseases and disorders.
Acne
Acne is one of the most common skin disorders, characterised by pimples. It is a result of clogging of passageway that connects the skin’s pores to the oil glands. Acne appears most often on the face, neck, shoulders, chest and back. Whiteheads and blackheads are the nodular and cystic acne types which are more severe because as they form deep in the skin and can cause scars.
Warts
Warts are flesh-coloured lumps, which usually occur by the age of 20. They can appear anywhere, but usually affect the hands and feet. Warts are caused by infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV), passed on through skin-to-skin contact. The treatment options for warts include over-the-counter creams and gels (not for use on genital warts), cryotherapy (freezing), surgery and laser treatment. The warts do have tendency to come back after treatment.
Eczema
Eczema is referred to a group of medical conditions that makes skin inflamed or irritated. Atopic dermatitis (causes itchy rashes in the crux of the elbows and behind the knees), allergic contact dermatitis (caused by environmental factors such as cosmetic agents, fragrances and the metals in jewellery), nummular dermatitis (red patches of skin and is due to dry skin) are some of the common eczema conditions. The treatment options for eczema reduce inflammation, relieve itching and prevent future flare-ups.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
In seborrheic dermatitis, one develops oily, waxy patches on the scalp. The skin condition can affect babies, making their scalp flaky. It can affect your face, upper chest, back and other areas of your body that have many oil (sebaceous) glands. It is a chronic condition and no approach stops it permanently but treatments can help control your signs during a flare-up.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic genetic disease which is characterised by a buildup of excess skin tissue that looks red and thick. It starts from the elbows and knees, spreads to other parts of the limbs and even the trunk. Topical treatments, light therapy (phototherapy) and oral or injected medications are the treatment options available for psoriasis.
[Read: How to Treat Facial Skin Problems]
Most of the skin diseases and disorders are seldom life threatening, but they do have tendency to cause chronic disabilities. There are plenty of treatments available for skin diseases, both for minor as well as severe skin condition. You can sort out minor skin conditions such as oily or dry skin with home remedies but need to see your doctor about skin conditions that persist, to learn the best methods for treatment and protection of your skin.
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