What are skin diseases?
Skin conditions can be caused by dysfunction of the keratinized epithelium lining the skin, loss of immune protection of the skin, or any wound into which a microorganism may enter.
Another more frequent cause is the lack of hygienic care, where an accumulation of cellular waste and sebum occurs that, not being exfoliated, occludes the pores of the skin.
Causes of skin diseases
Skin disorders can be caused by a myriad of reasons.
We will mention some of the most common.
Bacteria
Group A staphylococci and streptococci generate a wide number of skin manifestations, such as impetigo, cellulitis and staphylococcal scald syndrome.
In addition, viruses can affect the annexes of the skin, such as the sebaceous glands and the hair follicle, causing furuncle and folliculitis, respectively.
Virus
Most of the viruses that cause skin diseases are cosmopolitan (that is, they are found all over the world), but they can coincide after an old man returns to the tropics.
Molluscum contagiosum, warts caused by different types of herpes simplex virus, and chickenpox are common examples. In people with HIV, the progression of the disease is marked by skin conditions.
They are also at increased risk of cytomegalovirus infections.
Mushrooms
A large number of fungi are capable of affecting the skin of different parts of the body and its respective annexes (hair and/or nails). They are categorized into Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, and Microsporum depending on the structure they affect.
Common examples include ringworms on the hands, feet, dermatophytids, tinea barbae, pityriasis versicolor (caused by Malassezia globosa), mucocutaneous candidiasis, and sporotrichosis.
parasites
The most common example of an ectoparasite that causes skin lesions and intense itching at night is scabies or scabies, caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei.
Weak immune system
People immunocompromised by HIV can suffer from a large number of skin conditions throughout the course of the disease, especially if they are not under treatment.
These include pruritus, xerosis, eczema and seborrheic dermatitis. Subsequently, the immunodeficient person may suffer from infections such as dermatophytosis and cutaneous cryptococcosis and infection by cytomegalovirus and molluscum contagiosum.
Hereditary Factors
It has been hypothesized that the origin of alopecia, and its different types (androgenic or areata), may involve different environmental and genetic factors. The risk of developing baldness increases if a very close relative (parents or siblings) also suffers from it.
The affected genes that predispose to alopecia areata are the same ones that predispose to type 1 diabetes mellitus, celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
stress and anxiety
It is hypothesized that stress (or any stressor) are psychosocial factors that increase the risk of certain skin conditions, such as alopecia.
Tostudy published in the Psychology Rep.In 1998 surveyed 25 women who suffered from diffuse, unexplained hair loss and 25 women who did not.
They found that, in the first group, 22 of the women with hair loss reported high levels of stress in their lives. On the other hand, from the second group, only 10 expressed feeling stress daily.
This study suggests a connection between alopecia and stress.
Types of skin diseases
The skin is one of the largest organs and the most exposed to the environment. It is, therefore, that there are multiple diseases that affect it.
We show you some of the most frequent.
Acne
Acne is one of the most common skin diseases worldwide. Glands in the skin produce sebum, a material made up of lipids, and lubricate our skin and body hair.
When an excess of sebum is produced or there is not adequate hygiene and the sebum accumulates, the exit holes of the gland become occluded.
When this occurs, inflammation begins in the area and an increased risk of infection by Propionibacterium acnes. This perpetuates the inflammatory response, releasing harmful substances that degrade and destroy the normal structure of the skin.
Urticaria
Urticaria consists of highly itchy, raised, reddish papules.
It is an allergic response of the skin of certain people to insect bites, food, certain medications, or psychological triggers such as stress.
The lesions last a few days and very rarely permanently affect the skin. The younger the person, the shorter the duration of the condition.
bottle
They are raised, inflamed and well-defined lesions that contain serous fluid inside, composed of various body fluids.
When a burn or friction occurs to the skin, blistering occurs to protect the inner layers of the skin during the wound repair process.
When the wound is healed, the liquid is reabsorbed and, with it, the blister disappears without any sequelae.
Vesicles or blisters are blisters that exceed 5 mm in diameter.
Cold sores
Herpes simplex virus enters keratinized cells and reproduces in large numbers.
These products travel to the connective tissue between cells and penetrate deep, reaching a nerve ganglion and remaining dormant for years.
In certain individuals, the virus can reactivate and travel again to the perioral and intraoral skin. There it produces painful and reddish vesicles, which cause discomfort in the person. They can appear on the lips, palate or gums.
These vesicles may burst, exposing the skin to superimposed bacterial infections, or shrink to scabs.
Psoriasis
It is a very common skin disorder. Triggered by infections, lithium salts, antimalarials, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cold, stress, obesity and smoking.
They are erythemas (eruptions) accompanied by silvery scales with defined edges. They can appear on the elbows, scalp, knees and lower back.
There are several variants, such as vulgar psoriasis, where plaques form; guttate psoriasis, common in children and young people after tonsillitis; psoriatic erythroderma, where pronounced desquamation of the skin occurs, and other variants.
Eczema
Eczema is not a specific pathology, it is the term given to a series of inflammatory responses of the skin to irritating agents, exogenous or endogenous (atopic dermatitis).
Exogenous eczema is an irritation due to contact of the epidermis with an irritating substance or an allergic reaction ( type IV hypersensitivity ) after contact with metals (nickel or mercury) or medications such as antihistamines or antifungals.
The reaction begins as a rash that becomes a vesicle. This erodes and forms a small ulcer that becomes a scab. The scab, over the days, suffers from desquamation.
atopic dermatitis
It is a type of eczema caused by internal factors of the body. It is common in patients with asthma or chronic rhinoconjunctivitis, where there is an increase in type E antibodies.
Its triggering is believed to involve genetic (inheritance and immunological) factors.
Atopic dermatitis can appear in babies, children and even adults. The lesions are similar to those that occur in exogenous eczema.
Alopecia
Also known as baldness, it is a very common dermatological condition. A significant percentage of older adults experience some degree of alopecia.
It can be categorized as healing or non-healing. The former is common after head injuries, infections, or inflammatory skin conditions such as lupus. Non-healing is common after fungal infections.
It is also categorized depending on whether the hair loss is localized or diffuse. The first is common in alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder where areas are formed where the hair falls out excessively and others where the hair remains intact.
Diffuse is the most common type of baldness, androgenic. It can occur in both men and women, with different patterns of involvement.
Androgenic alopecia is hypothesized to be due to increased sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone, a derivative of the hormone testosterone.
This metabolite reduces the life cycle of the hair, leading to its rapid degeneration and loss.
Actinic Keratosis
This dermatological condition falls into the category of precancerous lesions, that is, skin conditions whose evolution can lead to malignant skin tumors.
However, most are asymptomatic and progress slowly. They are thick patches that form on the skin of people over 40 years of age, after exposure to solar radiation.
They can occur on the face, lips, behind the ears, neck, back of the hands, or forearms.
Rosacea
It is a chronic inflammatory disease that shares similarities with acne. Its origin is unknown exactly.
It could be caused by immune disorders, excessive dilation of the blood vessels of the face to substances such as alcohol, coffee, tea and tobacco, increased sensitivity to UV rays and even infections (Demodex folliculorum).
The lesions occur on the face, primarily. Cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. These lesions are: erythema, papules, pustules, redness and swelling of the skin of the face.
Unlike acne, however, comedones are not present.
Cellulitis
It is an inflammatory reaction against bacterial invasion of the subcutaneous tissue.
The main causative agents are group streptococci or Staphylococcus aureus, both commensal bacteria of the skin, which can penetrate it after a wound.
Risk factors that predispose to cellulite are a weak immune system, diabetes mellitus, and skin infections.
They are reddened, poorly defined, painful areas that can swell (edema). It can appear in any part of the body, but frequently in the face or lower limbs.
Measles
It is part of the exanthematic infectious diseases along with rubella and chickenpox. It is produced by a virus of the Morbillivirus genus.
The disease begins with the appearance of small whitish spots in the person’s mouth, known as Koplik’s spots. A red rash (exanthema) then begins on the face, and then spreads to other areas of the body.
The lesions generally last between 3 to 5 days after the onset of symptoms.
Cancer
Skin cancers or neoplasms are categorized into benign and malignant.
Among the benign ones we find seborrheic keratosis, a yellowish macule that turns brownish-black, finally becoming a wart.
Another example of the most common benign neoplasms are nevus or moles.
Among the malignant neoplasms we find squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas.
Lupus
Cutaneous lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that can involve multiple organs or be limited to the skin. Its onset and development appears to be influenced by environmental, genetic, and hormonal factors.
Exposure to medium or high doses of UV rays is believed to induce the release of TNF-alpha and IL-1, which stimulate the production of proinflammatory cytokines. In addition, it induces cell death of keratinocytes through apoptosis.
Well-demarcated, reddened, rounded papules or plaques occur. They can be localized in one region of the body or diffuse.
The lesions evolve to leave a scarred and atrophied area, where normal skin pigmentation has been lost.
There are several variants, such as subacute and acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, depending on the evolution of the disease.
Vitiligo
It is a condition characterized by hypopigmented areas in different parts of the body. It is hypothesized that it may be due to autoimmune factors that cause atrophy of melanocytes (cells responsible for producing melanin).
They are categorized into two groups: segmented and non-segmented. The former only occurs on one side of the body, and the latter on both sides.
Warts
Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus family, made up of more than 100 different subtypes . The most common are 2, 3, 4, 27, 29 and 57.
The virus enters the thickness of the epidermis. There, it replicates and generates a multiplication of keratinocytes (the cells responsible for the production of keratin) called hyperkeratosis.
This is how warts are formed, raised papules with a rough surface and irregular edges. They can appear on the back of the fingers or toes and around the nails.
HPV types 16 and 18 can cause lesions in the oropharynx and even the genitals, with a possible development of cancerous lesions.
scabies
It is the infestation of the skin by the ectoparasite Sarcoptes scabiei. It is a highly contagious parasite that can infect anyone of any age, race, or gender.
The mite digs a micrometric tunnel in the skin and deposits its eggs, secretions and other substances that generate an allergic reaction in the skin. Highly pruritic lesions occur.
Papules, vesicles, nodules and tunnels, products of scaling, are common. The itching becomes intense at night or when the body temperature rises, after a hot shower or exercise.
Treatment for skin diseases
Fortunately, dermatological treatments are highly effective for most of these disorders, if the treatment is followed to the letter.
Below, we show you some of the most common treatments and indications.
Medicines recommended by specialists
Dermatology is the branch of medicine responsible for diagnosing and treating skin disorders.
The dermatologist evaluates the state of the lesion, its characteristics, any other concomitant symptoms, and possible solutions for it.
Before applying any home treatment, we recommend seeing a dermatologist so that he approves, or not, the use of alternative and non-pharmacological therapies.
Creams and ointments
Creams and ointments are common treatments for a large number of conditions, such as scabies, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis are some examples.
These treatments contain corticosteroids that help reduce inflammation, as well as inhibit calcineurin, an enzyme responsible for T-lymphocyte maturation and replication.
Antihistamines and antibiotics
In allergic processes, such as urticaria and contact dermatitis, an elevation of histamine occurs .
Histamine is an important mediator of inflammation and itching that occurs in the area. Antihistamine medications (for example, diphenhydramine) fight swelling and pain.
Antibiotics are used to treat skin infections, such as cellulitis, acne, strep scalding and many more.
Laser therapies
For certain wounds, such as papillomatous warts, CO2 laser resection is highly effective, minimally invasive, and the chances of skin deformation are low.
How to avoid skin diseases?
Taking care of your skin is indispensable, since in most cases, these conditions can be prevented with proper and constant hygiene.
We show you some hygienic changes that can favor the health of your skin.
Maintain proper hygiene
Proper hygiene of each part of your skin is very important.
Each skin, and its needs, are different. What a child’s skin may need is different for the skin of an older adult.
Properly washing your skin, rubbing the impurities and dead cells that accumulate, prevents the accumulation of these and the clogging of the pores of your skin.
We also recommend using soaps, shower gels, facial cleansers, and other similar products that are safe for your skin to use.
Avoid sharing personal items
Avoid sharing toothbrushes, towels, and other personal hygiene products. Remember that each person’s skin contains its own world of microorganisms, substances and others to which your skin is not accustomed.
This could lead to an allergic reaction or even infections.
Protect yourself from environmental factors
Excessive cold and heat are environmental factors that put your skin under constant stress. They can encourage the development of conditions, particularly in children whose skin is still sensitive.
Avoid prolonged exposure to UV rays. Solar radiation induces keratinocyte death, cellular oxidation and release of inflammatory substances.
Use sunscreens whose ingredients are not aggressive to your skin. If you are not sure about buying, consult a pharmacist or dermatologist about it.
It also takes care of your skin from moisture. Certain microorganisms appear most often under these conditions.
Sleep properly
Deep sleep is a physiological mechanism where our body seeks to repair as best as possible the effects of stress on our body, particularly on the skin.
Sleep deficit accelerates skin aging, also decreases the synthesis of collagen and other structural proteins that maintain the integrity of your skin.
stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is essential. There are physiological mechanisms that detect dehydration, and prioritize the use of body fluid to certain tissues over others.
The skin is affected by dehydration, causing dryness and loss of luster.
Drink plenty of water, although the amount will depend on physiological and environmental factors (age, physical activity, temperature).
We also recommend the use of natural exfoliants that contain alpha hydroxy acids, a natural compound found in fruit extracts and other foods.
Maintain a balanced diet
Collagen-rich foods such as red meat, chicken and fish are excellent natural sources of this protein for your skin.
Incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet. They contain a high number of amino acids, vitamins and minerals that are used to maintain the integrity of your skin.
Omega-3 and omega-6 are polyunsaturated fats that act as natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, slowing the aging of your skin.
Polyphenolic compounds, rich in green tea, also help your skin health.
Keep vaccinations up to date
Timely vaccination against highly infectious microorganisms, such as the herpes virus and HPV, is another strategy to prevent certain skin lesions.
Both cause perfectly preventable diseases if the corresponding vaccination schedule is applied in your country from an early age.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.