Skin Diseases

Common Skin Concerns

Skin concerns are growing more prevalent by the day in the current environment which is full of pollutants. Starting with simple skin allergies to contact dermatitis, while these are increasingly common, they are also the cause of immense embarrassment and ultimately affect ones confidence. In order to make more sense of this, below we have listed some of the more common skin issues, which many seek our dermatologist for advice in order to find a solution to the skin concern. It is advisable to contact our dermatologist for any skin concerns which may be causing you concern.

Allergies (Eczema, Urticaria, Dermatitis)

An allergy tends to render your skin red, bumpy, scaly, itchy and often swollen. If you have any of these symptoms you probably have skin allergy. Here are a few types of allergic skin conditions commonly diagnosed.

Contact Dermatitis

Occasionally particular substances may come into contact with the skin, causing rashes which are known as “Contact Dermatitis”. This can be both painful and itchy, caused by a foreign substance irritating the part of the skin when in contact with it. Prolonged exposure to the allergy causing substance (Allergen), or the stronger it is, the greater the severity of the reaction. Commonly the reaction tends to appear on the hands where exposures to a variety of substances maybe necessary due to the nature of ones work.

Quite often one can expect to see red, itchy, blistered reaction generally experienced after touching plants and herbs.  A chemical in the plant is responsible for causing an allergic reaction.

Generally, Contact dermatitis reactions appear 24 to 48 hours after contact. Once a reaction begins, it can take 14 to 28 days to return to normal, even with the right treatment.

Here are some examples of Allergens: Nickel, rubber (latex) products, perfumes and dyes and cosmetics also frequently can cause a reaction .Furthermore certain ingredients in topical medication can cause a reaction, such as neomycin, an ingredient commonly found in antibiotic creams.

The Treatment for contact dermatitis depends on the severity of the reaction. It is advisable to consult with a dermatologist immediately who may suggest a compression for relief for the acute, early, itchy blistered stage of your rash and prescribed topical corticosteroid creams.

Hives & Urticaria

Hives which are also known as urticarial are red, and very itchy, little bumps that can range in size and appear almost anywhere on the body. It is common to see acute cases, where food or medication allergies are triggers. Hives usually disappear within a few days of starting treatment. In some cases, one can suffer for months to years.

One can also get “Physical urticarial” which  are hives resulting from a non-allergic source such as excessive rubbing of the skin, by cold or heat, exercise, and direct exposure to sunlight. Once you have identified the cause of the hives, its best you should avoid those triggers.  In some cases certain drugs or foods may a few days to expel from the body, in which case the Dermatologist generally prescribe antihistamines to relieve the symptoms until it's clear.

Angioedema is when swelling appears on the skin as a result of the hives. This is generally not red or itchy and the areas often involved are commonly the lips, tongue, eyelids, hands and feet.

Most of the common reactions are a result of Food or drugs causing acute hives and possibly  angioedema. Adults and children are also prone to viral or bacterial infection which can also trigger hives in both.

Eczema – Dry skin

Eczema is a very common allergic reaction and concern today affecting many and commonly seen on the  face, elbows and knees is atopic dermatitis or eczema.

This red, scaly, itchy rash is more common in young infants and those who have a personal or family history of allergy.

Common triggers include aeroallergens such as house dust, overheating or sweating, and contact with irritants like wool or detergents.

Emotional stress can cause a flare-up in older adults  and for some, usually children, certain foods can also trigger the onset of eczema. The symptoms are excessively dry skin in Eczema patients.

Managing and preventing itching  is a priority for an effective treatment. It is imperative that you do not scratch or rub the affected area. Applying compression and soothing ointments helps to relief the itching.

STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease)

STDs or  sexually transmitted disease are often but not exclusively spread by sexual intercourse. The following, HIV, chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, some forms of hepatitis, syphilis, and trichomoniasis are all considered STDs.

It is possible to contract  a STD from vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It is also possible to be infected with trichomoniasis through contact with contaminated damp or moist objects such as towels, wet clothing, or toilet seats, although it is more commonly spread by sexual contact.

You could be at high risk if the following applies to you:

• You have multiple sexual partners.
• You have sex with someone who has had multiple partners.
• You don’t subscribe to using condoms while having sexual intercourse.
• You have shares needles when injecting intravenous drugs.
• You trade sex for money or drugs or other objects you require.

STDs are serious illnesses and should not be taken lightly and require immediate treatment as some can be life threatening. Certain STDs, such as HIV, have no known cure and can become the cause of ones death. By becoming responsible and understanding more about STDs, one can learn  to protect oneself and prevent it from happening.

For further information about treatment options for sexually transmitted disease and Genital wart removal consult with the dermatologist.