To list all skin conditions that afflict people would be a monumental task but we wanted to provide insight into many disorders for which treatment is needed. Within the different skin disorders discussed in this article, many have sub-types, as well as varying degrees of severity. Because of this, even if there were similar symptoms shared, more than likely treatment would be different.

Another important thing to remember is that while some skin disorders are nothing more than an annoyance and embarrassment, others could be a sign of a more serious health issue. Therefore, if various treatments do not work, if the condition worsened, or if a person were to experience other health problems to include bleeding, fever, or infection, it would be imperative to seek medical attention.

 

Acne

While one of the many common skin conditions, acne is found in many forms with some being serious. This disease is actually a disease involving hair follicles, primarily those on the chest, back, and face. Interestingly, acne is associated with puberty, not a bacterial infection as most people believe. However, bacteria are involved in acne outbreaks. The different types of acne include:

• Comedones – More commonly, this type of acne is known as whiteheads or blackheads. The only difference with the congested pores is that the development of blackheads is the result of the tip of whiteheads being exposed to air, which causes oxidation that turns the tip black.

• Pimples – Also referred to as “zits”, these are red bumps tender to the touch

• Pustules – Acne filled with pus

• Cysts – For this type of acne, there are some cysts that are quite serious

 

Actinic Keratosis

Also referred to as AK, this particular problem is caused by ongoing exposure to the sun. Small rough spots develop, usually with a yellow or white colored scale on the top. In some cases, the affected area can be tender or quite sore when touched. Among the various types of skin conditions, this is common, affecting millions of people. Most medical experts believe AK is a type of skin sensitivity or allergy although it is sometimes connected to eczema, allergies, and asthma and a hereditary component does exist.

 

Boils

Most people never think of a boil as being one of the many skin conditions but in reality it is. Caused by a localized infection, when a boil first develops it is more of a small area on the skin that is red and tender but eventually, it becomes hard and either tender or downright painful. After a few days, a boil will soften in the center and fill with pus. The pus will come to a head that opens and drains on its own or in more serious cases, needs to be incised by a doctor. There are several types of boils such as those listed below:

• Carbuncle / Furuncle – This abscess is most often the result of a bacterial infection known as Staphylococcu aureus. A carbuncle forms from a hard lump while a furuncle is more of a standard boil within a hair follicle with one or more openings on the surface of the skin.

• Hidradenitis suppurativa – Multiple abscesses form in the groin area or under the armpits due to inflammation of sweat glands, leading to a hard-to-treat infection

• Pilonidal Cyst – This starts as infection involving a very small area of skin near hair follicles but eventually, it becomes irritated, inflamed, hard, and painful. Because this develops within the crease of the buttocks, it is considered one of the more unique forms of skin conditions, making sitting difficult.

 

Cancer

Of all skin conditions, cancer is the one that people fear most and of all types of cancers, skin cancer is the most common type. In fact, approximately one million new people develop skin cancer every year, with numbers increasing. Three distinct types of skin cancer exist, some not very dangerous and some life-threatening unless properly treated. These three types are provided below:

• Basil Cell Carcinoma – About 90% of all skin cancer cases are this type, which seldom spreads

• Squamous Cell Carcinoma – This type of skin cancer is the first stage of actinic keratosis developing, found in the surface of the skin. However, this type of cancer can also form in the digestive tract, respiratory system, and hollow organs.

• Melanoma – Although uncommon, this form of skin cancer is quite serious and if not treated correctly and quickly, it can be deadly

 

Eczema

Interestingly, the term “eczema” is used to describe a number of different skin conditions that involve inflammation. However, the one most often seen is known as atopic dermatitis. Although usually seen in children under the age of five, this condition can affect people of all ages. Interestingly, in babies, the condition heals on its own by age three whereas in adults, it is something that becomes a lifelong battle. Eczema is not contagious and often, it has a direct link to other health problems such as allergies and asthma.

 

Erythema Nodosum

Another one of the skin conditions we wanted to mention, this one forms in a particular area of the skin’s fatty layer. Also known as EN, this condition is caused by a unique pattern of inflammation and appears as lumps that are red and painful, usually on the front of the legs and just below the knees. Depending on the case, these lumps can be small or relatively large. The good news is that for most people, the condition heals without medical treatment in about four to five weeks.

 

Folliculitis

This is another of the common skin conditions that people deal with. This condition can involve virtually any area of the body although skin on the back, chest, legs, arms, buttocks, and face are most common. Tiny smooth bumps appear as few as 10 or as great as 100 with some having a light red halo that would be an indicator of inflammation.

 

Herpes Simplex

As the non-genital form of herpes, this type of skin condition develops from a virus. Usually there are no symptoms that a virus exists until painful blisters form. For most people, these lesions show up on the mouth, something often called “fever blisters” or “cold sores”. The virus that causes Herpes Simples, type I involves infections that usually involve skin from the waist up while type II is from the waist down. However, both of these types of skin conditions can affect skin on any part of the body.

 

Impetigo

Two types of bacteria cause Impetigo to include Staph and Strep. While children between the ages of two and five are more at risk, this condition can involve adults. In addition, people living in regions of the country with a warm and humid climate would be more apt to develop impetigo. Unfortunately, when looking at skin conditions that are contagious, this is near the top of the list. Two different types of this disorder exist to include:

• Bullous – Staph bacteria is the only type involved, which produces a cell-to-cell stickiness toxin that separates the top and lower layer of skin that causes a blister to form

• Non-Bullous – Of the two types, this is the most common whereby both Staph and Strep bacteria cause small red papules to form that quickly turn into blisters and then pustules that scab over within about a week.

 

Keratosis Pilaris

Often referred to as KP, among skin conditions this too is common and affects people regardless of age. In this case, non-cancerous red or light brown bumps with a rough texture develop around hair follicles on the arms, legs, buttocks, and in some instances, the face. Many people think of KP as an annoying cosmetic issue when in fact, it is a medical problem that is highly treatable.

 

Lichen Planus

This condition affects adults most and the chronic and recurrent rash affects virtually any area of the body although it commonly forms on the ankles, wrists, in or around the mouth, and around the genital area. This itchy rash is the cause of inflammation that would need to be treated with oral or topical medication to cure.

 

Lichen Sclerosus

While this skin condition does develop on the chest, back, breasts, and upper arm area, it is usually seen around the anal and genital areas. Women after menopausal age are at greatest risk but men will sometimes develop Lichen Sclerosus and in very rare cases, children. The tiny, smooth, and shiny spots eventually turn into large patches that can become a long-term problem.

 

Melasma

This skin condition is seen as brown, tan, or blue gray discoloration of the skin. Considered as being common, melisma appears on the upper lip, chin, forehead, and cheeks. While there are a few documented cases of men developing this skin disorder, it affects primarily pregnant women or women in child-bearing years. Because of this, medical experts believe it has to do with hormonal changes although long exposure to the sun is also suspected.

 

Molluscum Contagiosum

This superficial skin infection appears as a lot of small brown or pink bumps scattered on any area of the skin although in most cases, only one or two areas at a time would be involved. A misconception is that this condition is the result of an infection associated with fungi, yeast, or bacteria but in fact, it is connected to a virus that often attacks a person with a compromised immune system.

 

Pityriasis Rosea

Typically, this skin condition affects people between 10 and 35 years of age. Appearing as a light red or pink rash, this is definitely one of the most interest skin conditions known. Once the rash develops, it remains for about eight weeks although in rare cases, it could last several months longer. However, after a person has had this condition, it would never occur again in that individual’s life.

 

Psoriasis

This particular skin problem is considered a chronic disease, something that more than five million people in the US live with. The most common symptoms associated with psoriasis include dry, red patches of skin coupled with inflammation. Although this condition is not contagious, research and studies show that it is probably inherited. As mentioned earlier, there are sub-types of this disorder to include:

• Plaque – Of all sub-types, this is by far the most common with 9 out of 10 people afflicted with the condition having it. Plaques are red, covered with silver scales, and in some instances, burning and itching would be involved. Typically, the chest and abdomen, knees, and elbows are affected most.

• Guttate – In this case, tiny dark pink or red drops appear on the skin. While the arms, legs, and trunk are usually the most affected parts of the body, there are times when the entire body is impacted.

• Pustular – Within the different types of psoriasis, this is uncommon. Raised bumps are filled with pus and are clearly defined. In this case, large areas of the body can become red.

• Inverse – Patches of skin have a smooth texture and become bright red. As the name implies, these patches develop in skin folds, usually under the armpits, buttocks, or breasts, as well as in folds of the stomach and close to the genital.

• Erythrodermic – Not only is this considered the rarest form but it also poses risk of being quite serious. Unfortunately, a red rash that peels and involves a burning or itching sensation often affects the entire body.

• Nail – People who suffer from other forms of this skin condition could also develop nail psoriasis, with instances occurring in 5% to 86% of cases depending on the other related condition.

• Psoriasis of the Scalp – With this, any area of the scalp to include skin just above the back of the neck could end up being covered with plaques that are dry, scaly, and crusted.

• Psoriatic Arthritis – While this is one of the skin conditions associated with psoriasis, it is unique. Not only would an individual suffer from psoriasis but also arthritis. As a result, typical red and flaky skin would develop along with inflammation of the affected joints.

 

Scabies

While many skin conditions are not contagious, this one is. This is a unique disorder in that the cause is the itch mite, which causes intense itching. Transmission is usually the result of sexual activity although it could be from other means. Once a person has been in contact with this type of mite, red bumps and blisters would develop at the affected site.

 

Shingles

Interestingly, the virus that causes chickenpox is the same one that causes shingles, a very painful type of skin condition. Although also known as Herpes Zoster, this has no connection to genital herpes. What happens is the dormant virus living in a person’s nervous system is triggered by cancer, extreme stress, or an immune deficiency caused by chemotherapy or AIDS. Each year, some one million cases of shingles are reported in the United States.

 

Tinea Versicolor

A common fungus causes this problem and unlike many other skin conditions, it affects normal healthy skin. Experts believe the condition could be genetic although more needs to be understood. However, Tinea Versicolor can easily be diagnosed and treated. In this case, the affected area of skin changes one or more shades lighter or darker and commonly, it appears on the chest, back and/or shoulders. However, in some people, folds of skin are where the condition forms.

 

Vitiligo

When it comes to skin conditions, there are many different categories. With this, the problem is a pigmentation disorder. This means that cells that make pigment known as melanocytes are actually destroyed. With this, white patches develop. Although there is no confirmed cause, it is believed a genetic disorder is the cause.