Skin Disorders

Comprising of several layers, protecting the muscles and organs beneath it, the skin is the largest organ in the body. Some of its other functions are: protecting the body against pathogens; providing us sensation; the regulation of temperature and insulation; protecting vitamin B folates; and synthesizing vitamin D. Because it is so exposed, the skin is a comparatively more vulnerable organ, and is therefore susceptible to various types of skin disorders. Although most of these skin disorders are usually not life threatening, they can cause a lot of discomfort and could even lead to chronic disabilities. Plus, due to its high visibility, many skin disorders also cause a lot of psychological stress. Given below are some of the skin disorders, both common as well as not so common, that beset us.

Acne: This one of the most common skin disorders that usually occurs during puberty. This is the period when the hormone levels become high, particularly androgens like testosterone, which results in the excessive production of sebum, an oily secretion, by the sebaceous glands. This clogs the pores, which result in outbreaks of pimples and infected abscesses with pus formation, which can sometimes cause scarring.

Dermatitis: Dermatitis is a condition wherein the skin gets inflamed. As a matter of fact, dermatitis actually includes a number of skin disorders causing inflammation of the skin, some of the symptoms of which are itching, oozing, scaliness, scabbiness, blistering, swelling, and redness. While allergies are the root cause of some types of dermatitis, the causes of most are not known. Some of the types of dermatitis are: Seborrheic Dermatitis, Contact Dermatitis, and Atopic Dermatitis.

Eczema, or Atopic Dermatitis: This skin disorder is hereditary as well as chronic, which usually affects very young children. It generally persists up to the time the child becomes an adolescent or an adult. It causes itchiness, redness, and flaking. There are a number of triggers that can aggravate eczema, such as stress, allergies, and irritants in the environment.

Psoriasis: This is a chronic and hereditary skin disorder with symptoms like skin inflammation, redness, itchiness, silvery scales, which usually occurs on the scalp, the lower portion of the legs, elbows, arms, and the back. Psoriasis is caused due to the skin growing and shedding abnormally fast, every 3-4 days. Although it is not contagious, it causes a lot of distress.

Vitiligo: This skin disorder is caused due to the loss of cells that produce pigment on the skin, known as melanocytes, which results in white patches of skin that are smooth. Although the exact cause of this skin disorder is not known, it is thought that it may be due to the affected individual’s own immune system attacking the melanocytes in his/her skin. Vitiligo has a tendency of running in families. The skin becomes extremely sensitive to sunlight, and it often is accompanied by other health conditions. For instance about a third of the people who have vitiligo also have thyroid disease. Those who are affected by pernicious anemia, Addison’s disease, and diabetes also seem to be susceptible to vitiligo. It sometimes also occurs after a sunburn or physical trauma. Even though it does not cause any medical problem, however, the nature of the condition causes a lot of psychological distress.

Bullous Pemphigoid: This skin disorder is an autoimmune disease wherein blisters form on the skin. It generally occurs in older people, and is less serious than a similar condition known as pemphigus, and rarely causes death. Also, unlike pemphigus, the skin does not peel off on itching or bursting of the blisters. However, it does affect large parts of the skin and causes a lot of discomfort and distress. This skin disorder is caused by the immune system forming antibodies that attack the skin, resulting in itchy, large blisters. Unlike pemphigus, it is uncommon for blisters to form in the mouth, and when they do, they are much milder. The rest of the skin, not affected by blisters, seem normal.

Prickly Heat: Also known as heat rash, this occurs due to sweat being trapped in the sweat ducts, resulting in them becoming clogged. This condition usually occurs in warmer climates with high humidity. Some of the symptoms of this skin disorder are itching, prickling, small blisters, and redness of the skin in the affected area.

Ringworm: This is a misleading term for ring worm is caused due to a fungal infection of the skin, which appear as itchy, circular patches, with no worms being involved. Certain conditions seems to make people more susceptible to getting ringworm, such as poor hygiene, malnourishment, warm and humid climate, coming into contact with another person or pet affected by ringworm, a suppression of the immune system due to medication or disease.

Candidiasis: Also known as a yeast infection or moniliasis, this skin disorder is caused to a yeast, various single-celled fungi of the genus Candida or Monilia, particularly Candida albicans, infecting the mucous membranes and the skin. Although this yeast is usually harmless, existing in the digestive system and the genital area, it can cause infections when conditions become humid and warm, or when the immune system is impaired. Yeast can also grow because of antibiotics, since it kills normal bacteria in the skin, thus enabling the unhampered growth of yeast.

The symptoms vary according to where the candidiasis is located, for instance: if it occurs in skin folds, it causes patches which ooze a white fluid, itching, burning, and pimples; in the genital area, it can cause a yellow or white discharge, itching, redness, and burning; in the mouth, it is known as thrush, causing white patches on the sides of the mouth and on the tongue, and cracks or small cuts in the corners of the mouth.

Hyperhidrosis: This skin disorder is characterized by profuse sweating, which can occur on the whole body, although it generally affects the palms, the soles, the armpits, and the groin. Although sweating excessively can occur quite normally during anxiety, hot weather conditions, or fever, but when it becomes a chronic condition, it may be symptomatic of nervous system disorders, low levels of blood sugar, or thyroid problems.