{"id":2852,"date":"2019-01-07T08:05:52","date_gmt":"2019-01-07T08:05:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=2852"},"modified":"2021-08-03T04:51:35","modified_gmt":"2021-08-03T04:51:35","slug":"10-most-common-skin-diseases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/10-most-common-skin-diseases\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Most Common Skin Diseases"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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We often forget that the skin is the largest organ in the body. As such, it is susceptible to a host of attacks from viruses, bacteria, allergies, environmental factors and more. Consequently, there are hundreds of known skin disorders and diseases, with a few of them being overwhelmingly prevalent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The numbers which make the skin the largest organ are quite staggering. Your skin weighs between 6 and 9 pounds, and the surface area averages two square yards. The skin is vital though: it not only protects your internal organs but keeps your body at just the right temperature inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As far as providing protection goes, the epidermis, or outer layer of skin, could hardly do a more magnificent job. Every virus or fungal infection would cause untold havoc to our insides were they not essentially trapped by the skin. With that in mind, let\u2019s look at the 10 most prevalent skin conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Acne<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is probably the most well-known skin disease, even though many people don\u2019t think of it as such. With over 80 percent of people all over the world developing acne<\/a> at some point in their lives, it is by far the most common skin disorder. It can be temporary, such as teen acne, but when it persists into adulthood, appears for the first time then or is aggravated in adulthood, it is thought of as permanent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The oil glands or sebaceous glands under your skin produce an oily substance called sebum that is meant to nourish your skin. Sometimes, too much is produced and the excess is pushed up the passage or follicle joining the gland to the surface holes in your skin. These \u2018holes\u2019 are the pores. When either the follicle or the pore itself is clogged, a pimple forms and acne appears. It can usually be contained or diminished with a skincare program and\/or medication, under medical supervision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Rosacea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Skin redness <\/a>or flushing, particularly on the cheeks or T-Zone, is very common and is often mistaken for acne when it is in fact rosacea. In America, it affects just under 15% of the population. The percentage is thought to be much higher though, as it is often misdiagnosed. It accounts for people looking flushed, blushing very easily and deeply, or flushing profusely when laughing, exercising or frightened. The actress Cameron Diaz has admitted to suffering from this skin disorder and covering it with makeup. Left untreated it can cause skin hardness in the affected areas such as the nose and cheeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although rosacea is not a sign of alcohol consumption, drinking can cause a temporary flare-up. As such, it is a trigger food and should be avoided along with spicy food. You should also steer clear of cleansers and exfoliants that are not gentle and not pH-balanced. Medical skin experts are not sure what causes this condition, which is characterized by redness and sensitivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Eczema<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Atopic dermatitis or eczema <\/a>often starts in childhood and disappears, but is sometimes retained in adulthood. Symptoms include patches of dry, itchy skin that are often rough or raised, different in color or thicker. Typically, these patches occur on the face, near the scalp, inside the elbows, behind the knees and on the hands and feet. One of the factors causing this skin irritation is genetics. It is not allergy-related.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few types of eczema, each with their own very specific symptoms. There is no cure, but a factor often causing flare-ups is stress. Doctors do not know what the exact link is, even though they are aware of it. This condition either clears up on its own or is treated with a combination of medicine and topical creams. Most of the creams you are likely to receive from your doctor are broad-spectrum, cortisone-based ones. In recent years, many people have claimed to manage this condition with natural topical remedies on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Moles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These are little knobs of skin that are darker than your normal skin color. The majority of people have at least one mole, and many people have between 10 and 40 moles. In recent years, due to skin cancer <\/a>panic, people have rushed to have moles removed the moment they appear. Not all moles lead to skin cancer but strange-looking ones that are bigger, darker or different somehow to the others that you have, should be medically examined. Odd-looking moles are more likely to develop into melanoma, a strand of skin cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 2010 study also found that interestingly, moles reveal much about your health. If you have more than 100 moles, you are less likely to develop osteoporosis. It turns out if you are prone to moles your skin will also age better! The cells in people with excess moles have an ability to repair themselves, thanks to the way cell division is positively affected in these cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Hives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hives <\/a>form a red, raised rash on your skin and as the name suggests, they resemble beehives with their honeycomb effect. Hives are not a permanent disorder but disappear relatively quickly. They are usually caused by allergies to something you\u2019ve eaten or stress. Who can forget how Beyonce\u2019s sister, Solange, developed hives on her wedding day and how the sibling sisters sweetly dealt with it so Solange\u2019s day could be perfect after all. Hives are nothing to smile about though – they are highly uncomfortable and can be deadly if not treated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are prone to allergies, the likelihood is higher that you could develop Urticaria, the medical name for hives. Doctors are not exactly sure what causes hives but some of the more well-known allergy-related causes are allergies to insect bites or stings, animal or plant contact, medication, heat, strong perspiration and being in the sun unprotected. The foods that cause the most outbreaks are chocolate, nuts, milk, fish, eggs, fresh berries, and tomatoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Psoriasis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Psoriasis <\/a>can be confused with eczema as it often occurs in the same places, as well as on the scalp. Unlike the latter, though it does not form dry, red patches instead dry and scaly patches that are grey or silver in color. Psoriasis of the scalp is often confused with dandruff. Psoriasis is sore, rather than itchy. There are five main types of psoriasis, so a doctor needs to examine your skin under a microscope to be able to diagnose your particular condition. It is permanent and has to be managed well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition. This means your immune system works overtime, which causes skin cells to build up very quickly. It is this build-up of cells that causes the scaly, inflamed effect. The inflammation is often treated with topical creams which help, provided that you reapply the cream to clean skin regularly, no matter how painful it feels to touch or rub your skin. A gentle shower rather than harsh scrubbing is best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Athlete\u2019s Foot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This condition is a temporary one and is often not thought of as a skin disease, even though it is incredibly prevalent. Very few people will not experience at least one instance of an athlete\u2019s foot in their lives. It is caused by bacteria<\/a>, which loves dark, damp conditions such as socks or running shoes. It is highly contagious, which is why many people pick it up in gym saunas and floors. Curiously, it does not spread to the hands when you touch your feet. However, in males, it can cause jock itch in the groin area when it spreads via the hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Athlete\u2019s foot is not life-threatening but is highly uncomfortable as it causes severe itchiness. This is accompanied by redness and sometimes blisters. The skin between and under the toes can also look white and web-like, and often tears. Your doctor will commonly give you antifungal and an antibiotic in severe cases. Natural remedies include vinegar soaks, aloe and tea-tree based creams as well as argan oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Candidiasis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is caused by the same fungus<\/a>, Candida albicans, that causes common yeast infections in women. Because it is often thought of as a genital condition only, most people do not realize that it also commonly occurs on the skin and is rarely seen for what it is. In addition to causing irritated patches of skin in the groin that are characterized by a mild burning sensation, inflammation or itchiness, it can also appear in the armpits, inner thighs, between the toes, under the breasts, on the scalp, and behind the knee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Candida albicans is just one of 20 types of candida that can be troublesome to humans. It should not be left alone because it can eventually make its way into the bloodstream. There are 50 000 such visits to emergency rooms throughout the US each year. The fungus can flare up as a result of antibiotics, or imbalanced gut flora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Shingles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a child, when you have chickenpox, the itching is enough to drive you insane and as an adult, you\u2019re so glad it\u2019s over. Wrong! Shingles <\/a>are thought of as the adult version of chickenpox. That\u2019s because you can only get this painful blister-like breakout as an adult if you\u2019ve had chickenpox as a child. More importantly, it is the same virus that awakens from slumber to attack you again! This time, it causes pus-filled, painful blisters that start off looking like a rash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other name for shingles is herpes zoster and in the US, 1 out of every 3 people will get it at least once. Doctors are not sure why, but it often comes after you\u2019ve gone through a very stressful period. The most likely explanation is that when stress and anxiety weaken your immune system. With your immune system down, this opportunistic little virus rears its head again. It is not contagious and you will need antiviral drugs to contain it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Cold Sores<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More than 90 percent of people are affected by at least one cold sore<\/a> in their lives. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are highly infectious. Most commonly, you\u2019ll find them on or near the outside of your mouth. They should not be confused with canker sores, which occur on the inside of the mouth or cheeks, and are not infectious or viral in origin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are also more susceptible to cold sores when you are stressed, as the virus will take advantage of your lowered immunity. Typically, a wettish blister will form. It will burst and leave a crust or small scab. This eventually falls away after 7 to 10 days. Sometimes, before the sore appears, you will feel itchy, sore or otherwise irritate in the spot before seeing the cold sore. Medications and creams can help to quickly get rid of the sore. There is no known cure for the simplex virus though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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