Dictone » Skin Conditions and Diseases

Skin Conditions and Diseases

Skin is the largest organ of our bodies. Skin provides the outer covering and protects us from light, heat, injury and infection.

The skin is having two main layers:

• The outer epidermis: The epidermis is made up of cells called as squamous cells. Under the sqyamous cells round cells called Basel cells are present. The deepest part of the epidermis is known as melanocytes. Melocytes gives our skin color.
• The inner dermis: Just below the epidermis dermis is present. The dermis contains the vessels for the blood and the lymph.

There are a number of conditions that can change the look and the condition of the skin. Follow the links below to learn about them.

1. Acne:

   Acne are also referred as pimples or zits. It is an inflammatory disease of the skin and can be caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units. The main parts affected by acne are face, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms.

   Stress, hyperactive sebaceous glands, hormonal activities, accumulation of dead skin cells, bacteria in the pore are some of the factors which causes the acne.

   Exfoliating the skin, topical antibiotics, topical bactericidal, oral antibiotics, external retinoids, photo therapy, hormonal treatments, oral retinoids are some of the available treatments for acne.

2. Actinic keratosis:

   Actinic keratosis is also called as solar keratosis, senile keratosis, or AK. This disease is common in fair-skinned people who are frequently exposed to the sun. If your skin is exposed constantly to the skin then thick, scaly, or crusty bumps appear on the skin. The growth start as flat scaly areas and then it grows into a tough wart like area. It may appear on areas like face, ears, neck, scalp, chest, back of hands, forearms, lips etc..

   Preventative measures recommended for Actinic keratosis are:

   • Use sunscreen lotion while going out in the sun.
   • Use sunscreen even in winter sun exposure.
   • Wear clothes like hats, long-sleeved shirts, long skirts, or pants.

3. Angioma:

   Angioma are made up of small blood vessels. Anginomas are often appear at the surface of the skin. Angioma can be categorized as:

   • cherry Angioma: Cherry Angioma are made up of clusters of tiny capillaries at the surface of the skin. The color of cherry angioma may range in color from bright red to purple. It is also called a senile angioma.
   • Spider Angioma: Spider Angioma usually contain a central red spot and reddish extensions that radiate outward like a spider's web. It is also called as "nevus araneus".

4. Athlete's foot:

   Athlete's foot is also called as tinea pedis. It is a fungal infection of the skin. It is usually appearing between the toes and caused by parasitic fungi. The symptom of the Athlete's foot may be like scaling and itching of the affected skin.

5. Aquagenic pruritus:

   Aquagenic Pruritus is a skin disease and is evoked by contact with water at any temperature. The symptoms of this disease are commonly felt 15 minutes after contact with water. This Aquagenic pruritus disease appears commonly in middle-aged males.
   The treatments for this disease can include:

   • Apply copious amounts of capsaicin cream on the affected areas
   • Ultraviolet-B Photo therapy

6. Atopic dermatitis:

   Atopic Dermatitis is also called as eczema. It is a skin irritation characterized by red, flaky skin. Atopic dermatitis can be cured with the help of treatments like corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and moisturizing, light therapy.
   The types of Atopic dermatitis are:

   • cercarial dermatitis
   • dermatitis herpetiformis
   • Atopic dermatitis
   • seborrhoeic dermatitis
   • contact dermatitis
   • urushiol-induced contact dermatitis
   • nummular dermatitis
   • dyshidrotic dermatitis

7. Baldness:

   Baldness is nothing but the lacking hair where it usually would grow, especially on the head. Stress, regular lack of sufficient sleep etc. may be the reasons of hair loss.

   Male pattern baldness: It appears in about 66% of adult males at some point throughout their life. Male baldness appears as hair receding from the lateral sides of the forehead, which is known as "receding hairline" or "receding brow". An additional bald patch may appear on the top (vertex). Androgenic alopecia is an enzyme that converts the hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which, in genetically prone hairs on the scalp, inhibits hair growth. Male pattern baldness is classified on the Hamilton-Norwood scale I-VIII.

   Female pattern baldness: Baldness in female appears as the midline parting of the hair broadened and is less common. It happens due to decrease in estrogen. Estrogen that normally counteracts the balding effect of testosterone and which normally occurs in women's blood. Female pattern baldness is classified on the Ludwig scale I-III.

8. Basal cell carcinoma:

   Basal cell carcinoma is also called as "non-melanoma skin cancer". It is usually appears as a small, fleshy bump or nodule on the head, neck, or hands. This cancer type is usually occurs in dark-skinned persons. The people who have this type of cancer have light hair, eyes, and complexions, and they do not tan easily.

   Basal cell carcinoma cancer is begins as a small, dome-shaped bump and is usually covered by small, superficial blood vessels. The texture of a spot is shiny and translucent. This type of cancer starts in the basal cell layer of the epidermis and grows very slowly.

9. Bed sore:

   Bed sore is also called as pressure sores or pressure ulcers. It is caused by prolonged pressure or rubbing on vulnerable areas of the body. Bed sore occurs when the patient lies on his or her back for long periods.

   The pressure ulcers are categorized into four stages:

   • Stage I: It is the most superficial, with only superficial irritation
   • Stage II: It is blistering of the skin
   • Stage III: It involves the whole skin, often complicated by infection
   • Stage IV: The deepest

10. Behcet's Disease:

    Behcet's Disease is also called as Adamantiades-Behcet's disease. It is a chronic condition due to disturbances in the body's immune system. This system normally protects the body against infections by producing controlled inflammation. But if it becomes overactive then it produces extra inflammation and that affects small blood vessels.