10 Common Skin Problems Treated By Dermatologists

Skin problems are often embarrassing and difficult to talk about, but it’s important that you get treatment for your skin. You may be able to treat some of these conditions on your own with over-the-counter products, but others need a dermatologist’s expertise. When you see a dermatologist, they can diagnose what is causing the problem and prescribe medications or treatments that will help improve your overall health and skin.  Make an appointment today! Your dermatologist can tell you if any of these symptoms sound familiar and offer suggestions on fixing them at home or recommend treatment by a professional. Here are ten reasons to visit your dermatologist today!

1) ACNE

Acne is the most common skin disorder that affects a significant percentage of our population, especially teenagers during puberty. Acne can have severe psychological effects on youth as well as adults alike. It is essential to understand acne from a dermatologic perspective. Individuals suffering from acne usually feel insecure about their appearance worsening with constant acne breakouts. Acne can leave permanent scars on your face if left untreated for long periods. Common causes of acne are hormonal changes, diet, stress, dirt accumulation in the pores, and overexposure to sunlight.

There are three types of acne, inflammatory, noninflammatory, and cystic. Inflammatory forms are the most common types; they include papules, pustules, macules, and nodules. Noninflammatory or closed comedones produce blackheads. They may be single or in considerable numbers. At times cysts develop beneath the skin and may cause pain or leave a scar. Most cases of acne clear up within two to five years.

The treatment of acne is most effective when combined with other measures to correct the underlying causes. It is usually possible to clear up mild cases of acne with diet alone, though talk with your dermatologist if you continue to have problems after changing your diet.

2)PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes red, flaky plaques on the scalp or other body parts. The leading cause of psoriasis is the overproduction of skin cells which build up and form lesions. Psoriasis can cause severe discomfort and affect your daily routine as it can flare out in different areas at any time. Psoriasis can cause severe discomfort and affect your daily routine as it can flare out in different areas at any time. In fact, this is what frustrates you the most: not knowing when the next flare would occur and dreading another outbreak that requires a visit to your dermatologist. In addition to the physical and psychosocial suffering, psoriasis is also highly stigmatized. People often associate psoriasis with dirtiness or uncleanliness, leading to social rejection or isolation from friends and family. This would cost you not only time but also anxiety and discomfort. The primary types of psoriasis are plaque psoriasis, guttate, inverse, and pustular psoriasis. The main symptoms of psoriasis are red, scaly patches of skin. Psoriasis is not contagious. You should visit a dermatologist if you have signs of psoriasis.

3)WARTS

Warts are growths caused by a virus known as human papillomavirus (HPV). You will see warts mainly on the hands, knees, or anywhere that comes into contact with another person. They grow slowly in different sizes and may appear flat or rough on the surface; they can be painful if disturbed, sometimes leading to bleeding after being removed. Warts are generally harmless and at disappear on their own without treatment. You should see a dermatologist as soon as possible if you have warts on any part of your body. The experts say that the virus, spread by direct physical contact with an infected person, should not be taken lightly. If you notice bleeding or your warts are becoming painful, you must consult a dermatologist. If you suspect that you have warts, visit a dermatologist for diagnosis and possible treatment. It is essential to treat your warts because they can sometimes turn into cancerous tumours if left untreated.

4)SKIN ALLERGIES

In most cases, skin allergies are caused by an over-active immune system. Skin allergy can be relieved with proper treatment and medications from a dermatologist. A dermatologist can help you permanently get rid of this problem as he is aware of different therapies like oral medications, intralesional injection, etc. Skin allergies can be caused by anything from ordinary cosmetics to foods and insect stings. When allergies develop, the body’s immune system overreacts to a usually harmless substance, causing redness, swelling, and itching in affected areas such as the face or neck. To prevent skin allergy flare-ups, you must decide what your body is reacting to. Once you have pinpointed the source of your allergy, please take action to eliminate it from your life. Skin allergies can be mild and easily treated, or they can be severe and require emergency care. The most common symptoms include mild rashes, hives, and blistering on affected areas such as the face, neck, lips, hands, and feet. The areas of your skin that experience a reaction can also swell drastically, causing tightness and discomfort. An allergic reaction will often develop suddenly within minutes or hours of coming into contact with the allergen. Your skin will become inflamed, red, and itchy, in addition to other symptoms such as burning or blistering. Visit a dermatologist if you suspect that your skin allergies are severe.

5)SKIN DISCOLORATION OR MELASMA

Discoloured patches of the various parts of your body can affect your self-confidence and personality. Dermatologists in  help restore your naturally glowing complexion by treating such skin conditions. The dermatologist prescribes some medicines that cure these abnormalities of a medical point of view and provides specific lifestyle changes that will help you maintain a healthy skin tone. As per your dermatologist’s recommendations, you may have to apply special creams or gels to the affected area to restore normal skin colour. Melasma is a skin colour disorder that gives you dark skin spots and patches on your body. It is generally found in people who are above the age of 50. Melasma can affect both men and women. Melasma occurs when melanin deposits in the skin, leaving an uneven patchy appearance on the face. The condition can be caused by hormonal imbalances such as pregnancy or menopause and sun exposure. Common symptoms are dull brownish spots are seen on your forehead, cheeks, chin, nose and other parts of your body. It will appear where your skin is exposed to the sun for long periods of time. It also appears where you have used drugs such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.

6) HERPES ZOSTER

Herpes zoster is a viral infection, significantly affecting the elderly population. Herpes zoster causes severe itching in all parts of our body, and it’s challenging to sleep at night because of the severity of itch in different parts of your body.  Herpes zoster is a painful condition wherein the outer layer of the skin becomes raised and inflamed. Herpes can also cause itching, tingling, or numbness in some people. It is essential to take these medications on time. Otherwise, it may lead to complications like postherpetic neuralgia and shingles. Herpes can be very painful if not treated from the start. We must visit a dermatologist as soon as we see the symptoms of herpes.

7) ECZEMA OR ATOPIC DERMATITIS

Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is most common in children, though adults experience it too. The condition can become chronic and is characterized by a dry, itchy rash that appears around the neck, elbows, and knees or on the hands. Atopic dermatitis is common; approximately 20 percent of children suffer from it. It cannot be easy to control at times. Food allergens may cause the worsening of eczema in some individuals. Eczema usually appears on the face, knees, neck, upper arms, or hands. It usually flares up after a period of cold and wet weather. The symptoms of eczema are most often dry, scaly skin accompanied by rashes or blisters and redness and itching. The most common symptom is intensely dry skin that cracks easily. Other symptoms include intense itching, severe water loss from the outer layers of the epidermis (drying), burning sensation, especially when touched by clothing or bed covers, small fluid-filled blisters or pustules, and scaly skin. If you’re living with atopic dermatitis, this symptom-based approach will help you identify flare-ups, which are often triggered by stress or temperature changes. It may also help alleviate your symptoms and reduce the redness, itching, scaling, and dryness associated with eczema. You must visit a dermatologist if you have severe atopic dermatitis. For best results, pay attention to several strategies at once, and appreciate that it may take time before you notice any changes.

8) HIVES OR URTICARIA

Hives (Urticaria) are intensely itchy skin wheals (raised areas of the skin) that a burning sensation may accompany. They are often very pale or white but can also be pink or red. Hives may occur alone or as part of a larger condition such as chronic urticaria. It should not be confused with angioedema which does not itch. Hives (Urticaria) frequently accompany other allergic conditions such as rhinitis (hay fever) and asthma. It is estimated that around 1 in 50 people suffers from hives, with children being more commonly affected than adults. Although rare, some cases of drug-induced urticaria can be life-threatening. Although the exact cause of hives is not fully understood, several factors are known to be involved. Hives can often flare up following a trigger such as an exercise, cold weather or emotional stress. It has been suggested that these triggers may produce an abnormal response in the body’s immune system, which then causes the release of histamine and other chemicals which cause the hives. It has also been suggested that histamine-producing cells (mast cells) may become abnormally activated and release excessive amounts of histamine, which then causes skin eruption. You should consider visiting a dermatologist if you are experiencing a flare-up of hives.

9)SUNBURN

Sunburn occurs when ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or other sources, such as tanning beds and synthetic UVA bulbs, penetrates your skin. The UV rays damage collagen, making it more susceptible to wrinkling and damage in general. Symptoms of a mild sunburn include redness, swelling, pain, and itching that may last a few days. A severe burn, however, is much more dangerous. Symptoms can include severe pain, swelling, and blistering to the layers of skin beneath the surface. Sunburn can become complicated by hypothermia (low body temperature), shock, and fever, depending on your body’s reaction to the injury. Fortunately, there are many preventative measures you can take to avoid sunburn. Wear a large-brimmed hat, long sleeves, and pants when outdoors during the day. Also, use sunscreen on all exposed skin before you leave home. When outdoors, try to stay in the shade or use an umbrella. If you do get sunburned, treat it with aloe vera or prescription medicine if necessary. You can consider visiting a dermatologist if the rash due to sunburn causes pain or lasts a long time.

10) BASAL CELL CARCINOMA

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, and its incidence has increased over the past decade. BCCs are low-grade malignancies that occur on sun-exposed skin, including the head, neck, trunk, upper limbs, and distal extremities. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a malignant tumour arising from the basal cell layer of the epidermis. BCCs are the most common type of skin cancer in humans and are thought to be caused by cumulative UVB exposure over many years. The cause of Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is associated with excessive sun exposure. However, only a tiny proportion of patients recall significant occupational or recreational sunlight exposure. BCCs generally occur on chronically sun-exposed areas, including the face, ears, neck, scalp, and dorsa of hands. Basal cell carcinomas begin as a pearly papule. Tumour’s on the skin look like sores, although some might look like an open sore. Basal cell carcinomas are treated by removing the tumour, which is done by excision, curettage, and electrodesiccation (sterile procedure) or Mohs micrographic surgery (another sterile procedure). Both Mohs surgery and electrosurgery allow precise removal of basal cell carcinoma. Your dermatologist can provide more information on the treatment options. 

VISIT A DERMATOLOGIST FOR SOLUTIONS TO YOUR SKIN PROBLEMS

It is common for many people to avoid seeing dermatologists or dermatologists about their skin problems because they are afraid of what the dermatologist might say or have a condition that they don’t think anyone else has. However, it is essential to remember that many different people suffer from the same conditions. There is no need to be embarrassed about having the same problem as someone else. It can be very reassuring knowing you are not alone with whatever might ail your body!

You can book an appointment today to see a dermatologist or skin dermatologist through OHO Homeopathy; scroll the page!