The skin is the largest and most visible organ of the body. And because caring for your skin is an often overlooked, at some point nearly everyone will face some type of skin disease.
All physicians would advise you not to neglect such a large portion of your body. The most common skin diseases are acne, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, skin cancer, and psoriasis. What does this mean to you? If you want to take care of yourself and you think you might have a skin condition, read below for symptoms and causes.
- Acne: The result of plugged pores in the skin. Formed into blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, pimples, and nodules. Commonly on the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and back. Did you know? 80 percent of teens experience acne and 60 percent of them see acne in adulthood! Factors include, family health (can be hereditary), environment, hormones, and even diet.
- Eczema: A group of conditions that cause the skin to be red, inflamed, irritated, and/or itchy. Most common in infants and children. Exact causes are unknown but forms of eczema can be caused by allergic reactions or contact with an irritant. Stress can flare up this disease.
- Seborrheic Dermatitis: A flaky, itchy, dandruff-like condition most commonly on the scalp. This condition can be caused by microscopic yeast (Malassezia).
- Skin Cancer: The single most common type of cancer in the United States. Mostly caused by chronic exposure to UV rays (sun damage), also caused by exposure to arsenic or radiation, other chronic skin conditions, or genetics. Those who frequent tanning beds are 2.5 times more likely to get skin cancer than someone who does not frequent tanning beds. There are different types of skin cancer, usually mole or cyst like spots anywhere on the skin but more common in areas that get the most sunlight/UV rays.
- Psoriasis: A disease with unknown causes, typically genetic, and triggered by an abnormality or malfunction of the immune system. When Psoriasis occurs skin cells mature five times faster than normal skin cells, building up on the skin causing an excess that looks red, thick, and scaly.
All of these conditions can be treated by a health care provider in the dermatology or even plastic surgery fields. Most of these conditions are simply irritating and can be taken care of with ease — they are not issues you have to live with every day.
Protect your largest organ. If you think you may have a skin condition contact your dermatologic source today.
