There are many conditions that can disrupt or irritate a person’s skin. Common skin conditions may vary in their symptoms, severity, cause, and level of seriousness, but one thing they all have in common is their ability to frustrate the people who experience them. To help our patients better understand what they may be dealing with, we have outlined a few of the most common skin conditions and how they can be identified.
Acne
Acne is probably what most people think of first when they think about skin conditions. The condition occurs when a pore becomes clogged with oil and dead skin cells gets inflamed. This can occur as a result of a hormone imbalance or certain kinds of bacteria. The result is the appearance of pus-filled blisters known commonly as pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads. Although it is most common on the face, acne can also affect the neck, shoulders, chest, and upper back.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition that is best known for causing redness in the face. People with rosacea may also experience dilated blood vessels, papules, pustules, and an overgrowth of nasal connective tissue. Rosacea flare ups often occur as a response to inflammation that can be triggered by eating spicy food, excessive sun exposure, wind, temperature fluctuations, drinking alcohol, stress, or certain intestinal bacteria.
Psoriasis
Like rosacea, psoriasis is also a chronic, inflammatory condition. The condition is defined by scaly red bumps that harden into itchy plaques on the skin. Psoriasis flare ups are most common on the elbows, knees, and scalp, but they can occur virtually anywhere on the body. In addition to contributing to a form of arthritis known as psoriatic arthritis, people with psoriasis are more susceptible to heart disease and diabetes, due to system-wide inflammation.
Eczema
Eczema is a genetic condition that causes the skin in affected areas to become itchy and dry. Although it usually develops in early childhood, it can persist into adulthood. In addition to skin dryness, eczema can also cause weeping, oozing sores.
Depending on your condition as well as your unique needs and preferences, these issues can be treated in several different ways including oral medications, topical creams or ointments, injections, or more. We work with all of our patients to properly diagnose their condition and find the best, most helpful treatment plan for them. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Family Practice Center today. Follow along with us on Facebook and Twitter for additional health tips, news, photos, and more.