The skin is the largest organ in the body. Skin disorders are very common in adults presenting with many symptoms of varying severity. Chemicals, cuts, bruises, and sunlight can all trigger skin problems. Excessive sweating that accompanies gym sessions may also aggravate skin conditions like epidermis.
Symptoms of skin disorders involve rashes, itchy skin, spots, and inflammation. They could be caused due to an infection, a chronic condition, or an allergy. Whatever be the cause, it is advisable to get yourself checked by a dermatologist. Here are common skin problems that adults face.
1. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic genetic skin condition that presents itself with thick red patches on the skin. It usually occurs in people between the ages of 15 and 35. It is caused due to an abnormality of the immune system, which causes new cells to grow quickly. Psoriasis can occur anywhere on your body – your lower back, elbows, or even the scalp. Treatment for psoriasis includes medication, light therapy, and ointments.1
2. Athlete’s Foot
Any person who works out can develop athlete’s foot. It is an infection that spreads easily through the use of public facilities such as communal showers, locker rooms, and public gyms. Athlete’s foot usually affects the spaces between your toes. If left unchecked, it can spread to your toenails and the sides of your foot. The best treatment for this would be to wash your feet often. You can also wear sandals instead of shoes to prevent further infections.2
3. Acne
Acne is a skin condition in which you develop small inflamed papules on your face. It is usually caused due to hormone imbalance in teenagers during puberty. It can also be caused by bacterial infections.
A simple way to treat acne is by keeping the oily areas of your face clean and drinking lots of water. Very importantly, as tempting as it may be, you must refrain from squeezing out the pores as it might cause further infection and scarring.3
4. Cold Sores
Cold sores are small, fluid-filled, and painful blisters that are caused due to the herpes simplex virus. They usually affect the mouth and nose. Hormonal changes, fever, stress, and/or sunlight may be to blame. Cold sores are contagious and should be treated immediately. Common treatments for cold sores include creams, ointment, and antiviral pills.4
5. Eczema
Eczema is a non-contagious skin condition that causes dry, inflamed, and itchy skin. It can be triggered by allergies, stress, or a change in climate. It can present itself on the skin folds, elbows, or hands.
Eczema can be treated with either topical medication or oral ones.5
6. Groin Rash
A groin rash is extremely itchy, uncomfortable, and just outright annoying. The causes of a groin rash are very similar to that of athlete’s foot. It is more prominent in people who sweat a lot.
Easy and simple remedies to get rid of a groin rash is to shower daily, change underwear regularly, keep the groin area dry, and not share your underwear with others.6
7. Sunburn
This is a skin problem that is caused due to overexposure to UV (ultraviolet rays) radiation. Fair-skinned individuals have less skin pigment melanin ( the pigment that protects your skin from UV rays) and are, thus, particularly vulnerable. The best way to avoid sunburn is to wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.7
8. Rosacea
Rosacea is an inflammatory skin disease that is potentially harmless. It usually presents itself with a thickened skin, pus-filled pimples, and bumps. If left untreated, it may worsen. Some ways to treat rosacea are medications, which can be taken both topically and orally. In severe cases, laser treatment is required.8
9. Hives
Hives are skin infections that can be caused due to extreme temperatures, strep throat, and allergies from medications or foods. It usually shows up as an itch, burn, or sting. Treatment for hives includes skin creams and antihistamines. 9
10. Shingles
Also known as herpes zoster, shingles is a skin rash that appears as raised dots that turn into painful blisters. It can show up on your buttocks and trunk region, but can also appear anywhere else on your body. It is important to get it treated as soon as possible to avoid residual pain.
The treatment for shingles includes steroids, anti-viral drugs, and anti-depressants.10
So next time you get a skin rash, bump on the skin, or a pus-filled pimple, don’t take it lightly. It could be one of these skin disorders.
References
| ↑1 | Smith, Catherine H., and J. N. W. N. Barker. “Psoriasis and its management.” BMJ: British Medical Journal 333, no. 7564 (2006): 380. |
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| ↑2 | Duncan, J. T. “Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot).” Monthly Bulletin of the Ministry of Health and the Emergency Public Health Laboratory Service 5 (1946): 76-80. |
| ↑3 | Gollnick, Harald, William Cunliffe, Diane Berson, Brigitte Dreno, Andrew Finlay, James J. Leyden, Alan R. Shalita, and Diane Thiboutot. “Management of acne: a report from a Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 49, no. 1 (2003): S1-S37. |
| ↑4 | Herpes simplex virus. University Of Maryland Medical Center. |
| ↑5 | Eczema. University Of Maryland Medical Center. |
| ↑6 | Cather, Jennifer Clay, and Lauren Hoffman. “Weepy pruritic rash in the groin.” In Baylor University Medical Center. Proceedings, vol. 20, no. 4, p. 402. Baylor University Medical Center, 2007. |
| ↑7 | Ziegler, Annemarie, Alan S. Jonason, David J. Leffell, and Jeffrey A. Simon. “Sunburn and p53 in the onset of skin cancer.” Nature 372, no. 6508 (1994): 773. |
| ↑8 | Wilkin, Jonathan, Mark Dahl, Michael Detmar, Lynn Drake, Alvan Feinstein, Richard Odom, and Frank Powell. “Standard classification of rosacea: report of the National Rosacea Society Expert Committee on the Classification and Staging of Rosacea.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 46, no. 4 (2002): 584-587. |
| ↑9 | Leznoff, A., and G. L. Sussman. “Syndrome of idiopathic chronic urticaria and angioedema with thyroid autoimmunity: a study of 90 patients.” Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 84, no. 1 (1989): 66-71. |
| ↑10 | Dupuy, Denis, Nicolas Bertin, César A. Hidalgo, Kavitha Venkatesan, Domena Tu, David Lee, Jennifer Rosenberg et al. “Genome-scale analysis of in vivo spatiotemporal promoter activity in Caenorhabditis elegans.” Nature biotechnology 25, no. 6 (2007): 663. |