Skin disorders
Skin disorders include a variety of medical problems associated with the skin. Three common forms of skin disorder are dermatitis, psoriasis and vitiligo .
Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a general term used to describe inflammation of the skin. Most types of dermatitis are characterized by a pink or red rash that itches. The most common form of dermatitis is contact dermatitis. This condition is caused by an allergic reaction to some material. It can occur on any part of the body, but appears most often on the hands, feet, and groin.
Contact dermatitis usually does not spread from one person to another. In some cases, however, it can be transferred from one part of the body to another. Poison ivy is an example. A person infected with poison ivy may first start scratching on the hands. But the infection may then be transferred to other parts of the body.
Other forms of dermatitis are less common. They include:
Statis dermatitis, which is characterized by scaly, greasy-looking skin. This form most commonly affects the lower legs and ankles.
Nummular dermatitis, which affects the hands, arms, legs, and buttocks. The condition occurs most commonly in men and women over the age of fifty-five.
Atopic dermatitis, which usually occurs in early childhood. It is sometimes called infantile eczema. It usually occurs on the face, inside the elbows, and behind the knees.
Seborrheic dermatitis, which may be dry or moist. It causes the formation of greasy scales and yellow crusts. The body parts most affected are the scalp, eyelids, face, ears, underarms, breasts, and groin.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting), non-contagious disease characterized by open sores in the skin that become covered with silvery-white scabs.
Psoriasis affects about four million Americans. The disease may develop at any age. About 10 to 15 percent of all cases are first diagnosed during childhood. The average age of diagnosis is twenty-eight.
Psoriasis occurs when skin cells start to grow very rapidly. Normally, the rates at which skin cells grow and die off are about the same. As old skin cells die, new ones replace them. In the case of psoriasis, new skin cells grow much more rapidly than old cells die off. As a result, new skin cells push older dead skin cells upwards. They form patches of dead skin on the arms, back, chest, elbows, legs, nails, and scalp. These patches are the scabs that are characteristic of psoriasis.
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a condition in which smooth, white patches develop on the skin. It is caused when melanocytes die off. Melanocytes are skin cells that give skin their color.
Vitiligo affects 1 to 2 percent of the worlds population. It occurs equally among men and women. The disorder can first appear at any age. In about half of all cases, however, it starts before the age of twenty.
Vitiligo may appear as one or two well-defined white patches on the skin. Or it may cover large portions of the body. People with vitiligo often have other medical problems also, such as eye disorders, thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus, and pernicious anemia.
Skin disorders: words to know
Allergic reaction: A series of events initiated by the immune system against substances that are normally harmless to the body.
Chronic: A condition that continues for a long period of time.
Immune system: A network of organs, tissues, cells, and chemicals designed to fight off foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses.
Melanocyte: A specialized skin cell that produces melanin, a dark pigment (color) found in skin.
Rash: A spotted pink or red skin condition that may be accompanied by itching.
Steroids: A category of naturally occurring chemicals that are very effective in reducing inflammation and swelling.
Ultraviolet (UV) light: A naturally occurring part of ordinary sunlight that may, under some circumstances, have beneficial effects in curing certain medical disorders.
Causes
Dermatitis
Contact and atopic dermatitis are allergic reactions. Allergic reactions are caused by the bodys immune system. The immune system is a network of organs, tissues, cells, and chemicals designed to fight off foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. Sometimes the immune system reacts to substances that are normally harmless to the body. It attacks the harmless material in the same way it would attack a disease-causing organism. Such responses are allergic reactions.
Allergic reactions can be caused by a great variety of objects, including:
Flowers
Herbs
Vegetables
Chlorine
Household cleansers
Detergents and soaps
Fabric softeners
Glues
Perfumes
Certain types of medications
Statis dermatitis is caused by poor circulation in the legs. Fluids collect in the lower legs, and they begin to swell. The swelling may cause a red, itchy rash.
The cause of nummular dermatitis is not known. A number of factors that can increase the risk for the disorder include hot or cold weather, stress, allergies, and bathing more than once a day.
Seborrheic dermatitis is cased by an over-production of oil glands in the skin.
Psoriasis
The cause of psoriasis is not known. However, researchers have identified a number of factors related to the occurrence of the disorder. These factors include:
History of psoriasis in a persons family
Stress
Exposure to cold temperatures
Injury, illness, or infection
Use of steroids or certain other medications
Vitiligo
The cause of vitiligo is not fully understood. There appears to be a strong genetic factor involved. That is, the disorder seems to occur commonly in certain families. The condition is usually triggered by some stressful event, such as an accident, job loss, death of a family member, severe sunburn, or serious illness.
Symptoms
The symptoms of all forms of contact dermatitis and psoriasis are similar. They include a red, itchy rash that covers specific areas of the skin. In the case of vitiligo, the primary symptom is the loss of skin color. People with vitiligo may have other symptoms also, such as abnormal eye coloring.
Diagnosis
All forms of skin disorders can be diagnosed fairly easily based on visual observation. The skin rashes associated with contact dermatitis and psoriasis are very distinctive. A doctor may scrape off a small sample of skin for examination under the microscope. That examination can usually provide positive identification of the specific condition bothering the patient.
Treatment
Dermatitis
One step in treating the allergic reactions that cause contact dermatitis is to eliminate the substance that causes the reaction. For example, people who are allergic to certain household cleanser should not use those cleansers. They should find substitutes for them.
The itchiness and inflammation caused by dermatitis can be treated with a variety of products. The most effective products contain steroids. A doctors advice should be sought, however, as some over-the-counter products can make a patients condition worse. Antihistamines can also be taken to reduce an allergic reaction. These products act against the chemicals produced by the immune system that cause a rash.
Patients with other forms of dermatitis may require specialized treatments. For example, patients with statis dermatitis should elevate their legs whenever possible. They should sleep with a pillow under their lower legs.
Psoriasis
The treatment of psoriasis depends on the severity of a patients condition. Mild cases may be treated in much the same way as contact dermatitis. Steroid creams often relieve the itchiness of rashes and scabs.
More serious cases of psoriasis may be treated with applications of ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet (UV) light is a naturally occurring part of ordinary sunlight. Under some circumstances, it can have beneficial effects in curing certain medical disorders. But it can also have serious side effects. It should be administered only under the direction of a medical professional. UV light may also be used in conjunction with steroids and other medications.
The most severe cases of psoriasis are difficult to treat. Various medications are available for use, but most have serious side effects. Methotrexate has become popular for the treatment of psoriasis, but it can damage the liver. A number of deaths have occurred among patients whose liver functions were not adequately checked by doctors.
Vitiligo
Vitiligo can not be cured, but it can be managed. The primary goal is to improve the appearance of the white areas caused by the condition. Careful use of cosmetics and selection of clothing can help. Patients may also need counseling about their condition. Extreme cases of vitiligo can be very unattractive. Patients may need help in learning how to live with their disorder.
Alternative treatment
As with traditional medicine, the first step recommended for treating contact dermatitis is removal of the material that causes the allergy. Alternative practitioners then have a number of ways for relieving the redness and itchiness of a rash. These include:
A warm oatmeal bath
Clay or mud packs
Herbal remedies, such as burdock root, calendula, chamomile, cleavers, evening primrose oil, nettles, and sassafras
Suggested treatments for psoriasis, in addition to the ones listed above, include:
Soaking in a warm chamomile or salt water bath
Drinking up to three cups a day of hot tea made from burdock root, dandelion root, Oregon grape, sarsaparilla, or balsam pear
Eating a diet rich in fish, turkey, celery, parsley, lettuce, lemons, limes, fiber, and fruit and vegetables
Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day
Taking nutritional supplements, such as folic acid, lecithin, vitamin A, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc
Prognosis
Contact dermatitis can be controlled in most cases if the agent that causes the reactions is avoided or eliminated. Future exposure to the agent is likely to cause a reoccurrence of the condition.
The symptoms of psoriasis can often be treated successfully. However, the disease can not be cured and may become worse over time.
Patients with the most severe forms of the disorder may require counseling as well as medical advice. The condition can become very disfiguring and emotionally upsetting for the patient.
Vitiligo may become stable or slowly grow worse over time.
Prevention
Most cases of contact dermatitis can be prevented if the agent that causes the allergic response can be identified. If the agent can not be avoided, other forms of prevention are possible.
For example, a person who has to work with a chemical that causes a reaction should use gloves and protective clothing. People who accidentally come into contact with an agent that causes an
allergy should wash thoroughly with soap and water as soon as possible.
Neither psoriasis nor vitiligo can be prevented. However, psoriasis has the potential to develop into more serious conditions. For that reason, patients should monitor the status of their condition. They should seek medical help if they develop a fever, begin to feel achy, feel unusually tired, or experience other unusual symptoms.
Source : Skin Medicine
