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12 Skin Conditions You Should Know About
From chronic diseases to short-term infections, these are the top skin conditions — and symptoms — you should watch for. By Moira LawlerMedically Reviewed by Ross Radusky, MDReviewed: February 18, 2021Medically Reviewed Red itchy skin is a symptom of more than one health condition
iStockIs your skin red, itchy, inflamed, or painful? These symptoms can indicate a host of skin conditions, including rosacea, dyshidrotic eczema, contact dermatitis, ringworm, impetigo, pityriasis rosea or rubra, actinic keratosis, tinea versicolor, cellulitis, and seborrhea. Many skin conditions have no known cause, while others are due to such disparate causes as sun exposure or genetics. A few, like ringworm and impetigo, are the result of your skin coming into contact with a microorganism, like a fungus or certain bacteria. Jeffrey Weinberg, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City, says all of these conditions are treatable and generally not life-threatening. He adds that while a majority of skin conditions — at least those not related to an infection — are never completely cured, most can be managed. Get the facts about 12 skin conditions you need to know about.1583 Ringworm
iStockRingworm, also known as “tinea” or “dermatophytosis,” has nothing to do with a worm, but the "ring" part of its name comes from the fact that it can cause a ring-shaped rash that’s red and itchy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rather than a worm, a contagious fungal infection that lives on skin, surfaces, or items like towels, clothes, and bedding causes ringworm. Symptoms, which include itchy, red, and cracked skin that’s sometimes accompanied by hair loss, typically appear between 4 and 14 days after coming into contact with the fungus, according to the CDC. To diagnose ringworm, doctors may take a skin sample to view under a microscope, though they may also be able to diagnose just by looking at it, according to the Mayo Clinic. Once diagnosed, ringworm is treated with topical antifungal creams or ointments that are available over the counter or through a prescription. More severe cases may be treated with antifungal pills, notes the Mayo Clinic. RELATED: How Ringworm Spreads, and How to Deal With It1584 Rosacea
ShutterstockCan’t stop blushing? It could be rosacea, a chronic, long-lasting skin condition that affects roughly 14 million Americans, most often adults between the ages of 30 and 60, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The condition usually hits men harder, though women are three to four times more likely to develop rosacea than men. And it usually affects pale-skinned people, says Joyce Davis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. Rosacea occurs when facial blood vessels become stimulated and dilate, Dr. Weinberg says, causing the skin to redden, blush, and flush easily. Other symptoms of rosacea include acne-like breakouts; red, thick, bumpy skin appearing on the face; and eye irritation and vision problems, according to the NIH. While there seems to be a genetic component to rosacea, there are also some environmental factors that can trigger flare-ups, including the sun, hot weather, spicy foods, cigarette smoking, and alcohol, according to MedlinePlus. As far as diagnosing goes, there is no definitive test for rosacea, according to the Mayo Clinic. Your doctor will likely take all of your symptoms into account and rule out other skin conditions. To treat it, you’ll likely need a combination of good skin-care practices and prescription drugs, such as topical drugs designed to reduce the redness, oral antibiotics to treat bumps and pimples, or an oral acne drug, according to the Mayo Clinic. Laser treatments are another option and may sometimes lessen the redness of rosacea. It’s not a dangerous skin conditions, Weinberg says, “but cosmetically it can be problematic.” 7 Facts You Need to Know About Hidradenitis Suppurativa
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Learn more1585 Eczema
AlamyEczema, also known as dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that affects 10 to 20 percent of children in developed countries around the world, according to an article published in February 2016 in Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America. For about 90 percent of patients, it first appears before age 5. It may improve with age, however, says Lisa Anthony, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westmed Medical Group located in Westchester, New York. Eczema causes dry and itchy skin with raised, red, scaly patches and sometimes fluid-filled blisters, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The issues typically appear on the hands or “bending” parts of the body, such as the inside of the elbows and back of the knees. According to a study published in December 2017 in the journal Nature Genetics, asthma, hay fever, and eczema often occur together, partly because of certain immune-related genes. “These all tend to be allergic manifestations and tend to all run in families with allergic tendencies,” Dr. Davis says. Because there are no definitive tests, skin examinations and medical history are often used to diagnose eczema, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Doctors approach treatment on a case-by-case basis. There’s no cure, so the goal is to reduce any discomfort and prevent flare-ups. That usually entails identifying and avoiding triggers, moisturizing frequently with fragrance-free products, and steroid creams, according to the Cleveland Clinic. “Thicker ointments and creams will be more moisturizing than lotions,” Dr. Anthony says. RELATED: 8 Hand Eczema Dos and Don’ts for Cleansing1586 Contact Dermatitis
Marc Bruxelle/AlamyContact dermatitis is a form of eczema that presents as irritated skin after the skin comes in contact with something that triggers that reaction, according to the National Eczema Association (NEA). “Contact dermatitis is an allergic phenomenon,” Davis says. “It is something you came into contact with and irritates your skin, or an allergic dermatitis like poison ivy, which is not hereditary.” She’s referring to the two types of contact dermatitis:Irritant, which the NEA notes comprises 80 percent of contact dermatitis cases, occurs in response to the skin touching irritating materials, such as certain soaps or detergents, nickel jewelry or metal snaps, or makeup.Allergic, which pops up on the skin several days after being exposed to an allergen, like poison ivy or latex According to the NEA, contact dermatitis can itch and be accompanied by burning or blistering. Severe cases can seriously impact one’s life and make it difficult to sleep or concentrate at work or school. “The rash from contact dermatitis can be improved and controlled with topical or systemic medication depending on the severity,” Anthony says. Common treatments include anti-itch creams or steroid ointments and oral anti-itch medication like Benadryl, according to the Mayo Clinic.1587 Impetigo
ShutterstockImpetigo is a bacterial infection that usually causes large blisters or crusted sores, according to the Mayo Clinic. Typically traced to one of two bacteria — group A streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus — impetigo is common among children and most often appears around the mouth and nose or on the arms and legs, according to the CDC. It is very itchy and very contagious. Impetigo is opportunistic, Weinberg explains. It’s more apt to move in if the skin is already irritated or inflamed by insect bites or eczema, for example. Impetigo is treated with prescription antibiotic cream or lotion, or in severe cases, with a course of oral antibiotics, according to the Mayo Clinic. RELATED: Do You Have Impetigo? 8 Must-Know Facts About the Skin Condition1588 Seborrhea Dermatitis Dandruff
Aliaksandr Litviniuk/iStockSeborrheic dermatitis on the scalp is called dandruff, and when it appears on a baby’s scalp, it’s called cradle cap, according to the Mayo Clinic. Also called scalp eczema, this condition usually involves crusty, scaly patches of skin on the scalp and it generally occurs among people with thick, oily skin, Davis says. But seborrheic dermatitis can also affect the face, chest, and other areas where there are a lot of oil glands. Seborrhea, says Weinberg, makes the skin look flaky and greasy, and is a cousin of psoriasis. “It’s an allergic response to fungus that lives on skin," he explains. Some simple lifestyle changes could treat the condition, such as washing the scalp with dandruff shampoo that contains selenium, salicylic acid, zinc pyrithione, or coal tar, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Or, for more long-term issues, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal shampoo.1589 Pityriasis Rosea
iStockThe first sign of pityriasis rosea is a large round or oval patch called a herald patch, followed by the appearance of multiple oval patches or bumps on the back, chest, and belly, according to Cedars-Sinai. “Pityriasis rosea is called the ‘Christmas tree rash’ because of the distribution of the skin lesions that appear on the skin — the red scaly patches can appear like sloping branches on the back,” Anthony says. The cause of this skin condition is not clear, but it may be due to a virus or bacteria. “There are outbreaks at certain times of the year, and it acts like a virus would act," Weinberg adds. Treatments include anti-itch creams, antihistamines, triamcinolone ointments, and UVB phototherapy, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD). For most, the rash disappears within eight weeks, though it can sometimes linger for five or so months. RELATED: Is That Rash Psoriasis, or Is It Something Else?1590 Actinic Keratosis
Jodi Jacobson/iStockActinic keratosis is a type of precancerous skin change related to sun exposure, according to the AAD. Weinberg says that actinic keratosis is one of the most common reasons people see a dermatologist. Actinic keratosis lesions are flat, scaly, and sometimes rough and appear on places frequently exposed to the sun, such as the face and lips. Light-skinned people age 50 or older and those who’ve spent a lot of time outdoors without protecting the skin are more prone to getting actinic keratoses. “Your risk of getting actinic keratoses increases when having fair skin and not wearing hats or sunblock,” Davis says. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common treatment includes freezing the lesions (cryotherapy) or applying a topical prescription product.1591 Jock Itch
AlamyJock itch is in the same family as ringworm and athlete’s foot, known as tinea, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. It presents as red, flaky skin that generally appears in moist areas of the body, like the groin, inner thighs, and buttocks. “This is usually more common in adults than kids, which occurs when there is moisture in a warm fold of skin, for example, between the inner thighs and the scrotum,” Davis says. Your risk for this itch-causing condition increases by not showering or changing clothes often, she says. If left untreated, it may take weeks or months to go away, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Davis says to choose an over-the-counter antifungal treatment, such as Lotrimin Ultra Extra Strength Jock Itch Treatment Cream, to treat jock itch. Also, be sure “to change underwear each day and try to wear boxers rather than briefs,” Davis says. RELATED: 8 Common Types of Rashes and What They Look Like1592 Tinea Versicolor
ShutterstockPeople with oily skin, like teenagers or those who live in tropical locations, are a bit more prone to tinea versicolor, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Weinberg describes tinea versicolor as a fungal infection with a superficial yeast that lives on the skin. Symptoms of tinea versicolor appear as scattered patches of discolored skin (either pink, tan, brown, or white) on the back, neck, chest, shoulders, armpits, and upper arms, according to Harvard Health. Itchiness is also common, especially when sweating. Pregnant women often develop tinea versicolor, Weinberg says. Those with compromised immune systems or people who take corticosteroids, have had an organ transplant, or diabetes are more susceptible to developing the condition, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Treatment includes topical antifungal medication and washes and sometimes prescription oral antifungals if the topical treatments don’t work, according to the AAD.1593 Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris PRP
ShutterstockPityriasis rubra pilaris is a group of skin conditions that result in red, scaly patches of skin everywhere on the body or in certain areas, most commonly the elbows, knees, ankles, hands, and feet, according to the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. The causes are unknown, though it does seem to be related to certain genetic components and environmental factors. Weinberg says pityriasis rubra pilaris looks like psoriasis but is very rare. Some PRP patients may notice thickened skin on the hands or feet, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD). “It’s annoying, and it can be chronic and difficult to treat,” says Weinberg. Most people will need oral retinoids like Accutane (isotretinoin) or Soriatane (acitretin) or drugs such as methotrexate if the retinoid treatment doesn’t work, according to the AOCD. RELATED: What Are the Different Types of Psoriasis?1594 Cellulitis
ShutterstockWhile cellulitis starts as a superficial infection of the skin — sometimes due to a tiny break in the skin that allows in bacteria — it can become a serious issue if the bacteria enter the bloodstream, according to the CDC. It could also be caused by bacteria entering broken skin caused by eczema, Anthony says. Cellulitis can appear anywhere on the body and can be associated with athlete’s foot, Weinberg says. According to the CDC, cellulitis appears as an area of skin — usually the feet and legs — that becomes red, warm, and tender and may have the texture of an orange peel; it may also cause a fever and chills. According to the CDC, people who are overweight and those who have problems with their lymphatic system are more likely to get cellulitis. “People with compromised immune systems, including diabetes, are more at risk as well,” Anthony says. For mild cases, treatment involves oral antibiotics, while more serious cases may require an intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment at the hospital, according to the Mayo Clinic. Raising the infected area can also speed recovery. Most Recent in Skin & Beauty
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