We’ve all been there. Flawless skin throughout the week and your skin breaking out right when you need for it to be perfect. Breakouts on the skin seem to have a mind of their own, making an appearance right when you have an important event coming up. But sometimes, the skin issue we are dealing with may not be breakout-related. Here’s your handy guide to help you identify skin issues when what you’re faced with, is more than just a zit.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a skin problem more commonly seen in people with a tendency to blush or flush more easily than other people. Sometimes this condition is mistaken for acne. It is a chronic rash that is caused due to excess oil production in the skin. It may also present as patches of redness, scaling and swelling. Sun exposure, spicy food, hot baths etc. can aggravate this condition. Wearing an SPF 30 sunscreen can limit its occurrence. If the condition worsens, visiting a dermatologist is a good idea, who can then treat it with topical ointments and a dose of antibiotics.
Sebaceous Hyperplasia
This is a very common and benign condition of the sebaceous glands in adults in which the oil glands get enlarged and appear as bumps on the face characterized by a sunken core. They can appear as a single lesion or multiple lesions on the nose, cheeks and forehead. This condition is more common with people with an oily skin type. Using oil control and retinol products and exfoliation is usually all that is needed to get rid of them. Some cases may need electrodessication at a dermatologist’s office.
Milia
Milia can occur in people of any age, but are most commonly seen in newborns and also inaccurately called ‘baby acne’. They manifest as small, pearly-white hard cysts containing keratin trapped beneath the surface of the skin, and are seen to occur usually near the cheeks and eyelids. Popping them is a bad idea and can leave you with scars or make them worse. They usually clear on their own in a few months and a retinoid cream can help speed up the process. These can also be removed by your dermatologist at his office using a sterile blade or a tool like a comedone extractor.
Skin Tags
A skin tag is a small, soft piece of hanging (and very visible) skin that can appear anywhere on the body, but is more commonly noticed on parts of the body where skin rubs against skin or clothing. Although quite harmless, they can be really annoying to look at and can increase in number with age. It is not advisable to remove the skin tags on your own, and the best way to have them removed is by a dermatologist who can freeze them off with liquid nitrogen or cauterize them using heat.
Eczema
Eczema or atopic dermatitis is an extremely common skin condition that almost everyone deals with at some point in their lives. This is a condition in which patches of skin become red, itchy, swollen, cracked and rough. Sometimes it also manifests as blisters. Treatment of eczema involves using gentle, fragrance free and non-irritating skin care products on the skin and moisturizing the skin deeply and frequently. You will need to see a dermatologist if the condition worsens with scales, painful cracks and blisters appearing. Your dermatologist may prescribe a corticosteroid and antibiotics to reduce the inflammation and prevent or stop an infection. In some cases, antihistamines and light therapy may also help.
Melasma
Melasma is a common skin issue, that is seen as brown or grayish brown patches appearing on the face. Most people have it on their cheeks, forehead, nose, chin or on their upper lip. It can also appear on the forearms and neck. This is a skin condition seen more commonly in women due to their higher estrogen levels (related to contraceptive pills and pregnancy) is Melasma. To prevent darkening of the skin, exposure to the sun needs to be limited and a daily application of sunscreen needs to be ensured on the areas of skin that get the maximum exposure to the sun.
Melasma usually resolves on its own, but if it doesn’t then a treatment option could be laser resurfacing session at your dermatologist’s office. For best results, multiple sittings may be required.
