Dry Flaky Skin, Eczema, Jock Itch, Psoriasis, Fungus on Face are some of the common skin ailments affecting the human race. Treating them at the right time with the right techniques is necessary to prevent their spread to other parts of the body as well as to other individuals.
Below are 5 of the most common skin ailments that you must know about.
Eczema
A winter skin problem takes its name from a Greek word which means “for boils over”. The main symptom includes itching followed by rashes. Though primarily seen on face, wrist, back, knees, hands and feet, you may spot them elsewhere on the body too. Eczema is contagious and spreads from person to person. It is mainly of three types:
- Alleprgic contact dermatitis – environmental factors are the prime culprits. Other are fragrances, cosmetic agents and metals in jewelry. It is usually seen in adults.
- Atopic dermatitis – the most common eczema type often seen in children. Only 1-3 percent of adults carry this as a genetic disease. Symptoms include rashes on the inner side of the elbows and behind the knees.
- Nummular dermatitis – red, coin shaped flaky patches seen on the skin, mainly due to dry skin. Sometimes too itchy to bear.
Keeping the affected part clean and applying a steroid cream apart from a variety of foods is found to be useful in getting relief from eczema.
Psoriasis
You won’t know and you will be carrying it. That’s how unpredictable psoriasis can be. It is irritating to the level that you will start scratching it like crazy. Symptoms vary depending on the type of psoriasis you are having.
- Plaque psoriasis – red, raised patches with silvery white scales. Seen on elbows, knees, scalp and lower back. These scales are sore, itch and may bleed. Scratching makes it grow thicker, taking its width upto 4 inches. More commonly seen in adults.
- Scalp psoriasis – Often mistaken as dandruff, but isn’t. What differentiates it is its silvery and powdery appearance. Can also be seen on the neck, back, forehead and around the ears.
- Guttate psoriasis – Kids and young adults are more prone to this. a sudden appearance of red spots with raised edges mark its presence usually in the middle section of the body. Other places it can be cited include ears, face, scalp, arms and legs. Triggers are flu, cold, strep throat and some respiratory infections.
- Inverse psoriasis – Extremely sore, bright red and shiny, that’s how they differ from others. They are be seen only where there are skin folds like under the breasts, behind the knee, groin, genitals and armpits. Sweating or even rubbing can aggravate the condition.
- Pustular psoriasis – A rare one may get triggered by stress, infection, medication or certain chemicals. Can be seen as swollen, red patches filled with pus. A dried one may become yellowish brown and scaly. Can be seen at the bottoms of the feet or palms of the hands. Occasionally, the blisters may open up making it extremely painful.
Topical treatments are found to bring relief to 85-90% of the cases. If you are obese, weight loss can reduce psoriasis symptoms.
Jock itch
A common skin ailment. More than half of the cases of jock itch are caused by fungus. The rest are due to moisture, bacterial overgrowth and irritation. Athletes and adults are more susceptible to this. Though males get this infection more, females too can get affected by it. An itchy, red ring shaped rash is formed in the moist, warm areas of the skin.
It isn’t as bothersome as far as you keep the groin area dry and clean. An antifungal cream is sufficient to clear it up. This skin infection can cause pink or red rashes on both the sides of the groin folds. Or you may spot a scaly rash, a dry one or it could be a cluster of small pink or red bumps at the base of hair follicle.
Some people are more susceptible to jock itch such as those who have diabetes, are obese, or have a weak immune system. Good hygiene is extremely important to cure jock itch. Wearing loose clothes till it heals also helps a lot.
Face Fungus
Uncommon and mostly misdiagnosed. Also known by the name of Tinea faicei, it does not include fungus of the moustache or beard, caused by Tinea barbae. It can also be caused by an anthropophilic (human ) fungus like Trichophyton rubrum.
It looks like Tinea corporis. It can be both acute or chronic. It appears like red, scaly patches. Light and scaly or transparent in the middle. It may also look like an abscess. Sun is extremely bad for fungal infection of face. An emotional distress, improper diet and a weak immune system are primarily the reasons face fungus is caused.
Only skin culture or microscopy can confirm the infection. Topical antifungal treatment is sufficient for the infection. If not successful, oral antifungal treatments can be taken.
Seborrheic dermatitis
Flaky scales, red, itchy, rashes on the scalp are some of the signs of seborrheic dermatitis. It looks quite similar to eczema, psoriasis, or some allergic reaction, but isn’t. One can get it both on the scalp and on the body. Some of the common triggers include cold & dry weather, genes, stress, a common yeast (part of skin flora) and certain medications.
The most susceptible of human race include newborns and adults that are between 30-60 years. Men are more at risk than women. In babies, you will see yellow crusty or brown scales on the scalp. It can go away on its own and make a comeback after some time. Adult seborrheic dermatitis can be seen on the face – on the eyelids, behind the ears and around the nose and less commonly on the body.
It is red in color, itches badly and burns too. It keeps recurring but can be taken care of with good skincare.
Author Bio:
Rebecca Dawkins
Rebecca Dawkins is a fitness coachwith a masters degree from the Univ. Her passion revolves around encouraging others rediscover their lifestyle and inspire them for a healthy. Her keen interest in health can be seen in her writeups that are hugely vocal about use of healthy options to keep oneself healthy on and off the ground. You can read her views on the use of tea tree oil soap, body wipes and sports specific products.