The skin is the largest and one of the most complex organs of the body. Adults may suffer from a variety of skin disorders with tremendous variation in symptoms and severity. The causes of adult skin disorders may be genetic (hereditary), infectious, degenerative, or allergic. A great deal of adult skin disorders are benign (not life threatening), but some may be life threatening. Others may warrant referral to a dermatologist (a specialist in the treatment of skin disorders) for treatment that may entail medications, minor office procedures, or invasive surgery.
common adult skin disorders are…
1. Acne
Acne is not solely restricted to adolescents and is a common condition among adults, especially females. Most individuals develop acne as an adolescent that persists into adulthood. A small portion of individuals may develop acne for the first time as an adult. Acne is characterized by pores clogged with oil and dead skin cells and may or may not be accompanied by inflammation. It may consist of whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, cysts, or deep nodules.
Acne is strongly linked to hereditary factors, but may be made worse by fluctuating hormone levels, stress, hair and skin care products, medication side effects, or undiagnosed medical conditions. Most acne treatments are topical. Oral, or systemic, treatment is reserved for severe cases of acne and may be used in combination with topical treatments. Lastly, acne cases severely resistant to the combination of topical and oral treatments may be treated with minor office procedures.
2. Eczema
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common adult skin condition. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates 1 to 3-percent of adults have the condition. Most individuals develop the condition during childhood or adolescence and it persists into adulthood. Less often, it develops exclusively in adulthood. Inflamed, red, dry, and itchy patches of skin characterize eczema. The patches can occur anywhere on the body, but most commonly are seen on the elbows, hands, and in skin folds.
Eczema has strong genetic links and is commonly associated with asthma and hay fever (allergic rhinitis). It is estimated about 70-percent of individuals diagnosed with eczema have a family history of eczema, asthma, or hay fever. Eczema is not contagious. It has no cure, but may be controlled with topical steroid creams and ointments, oral antihistamines, and immunosuppressants (medications that prevent the immune system from overreacting). Particularly resistant cases of eczema may be treated with light therapy, or phototherapy.
3. Hives
Hives, also known as urticaria, are raised, red bumps (welts) that suddenly appear on the surface of the skin. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology estimates the condition affects about 20-percent of individuals at some point in their lives. Hives can occur anywhere on the body. They are usually itchy, but can also sting or burn. Hives blanche, or turn white, when pressed. They vary in size from small to large and may coalesce, or come together, to form a very large mass.
Hives are usually caused by an allergic reaction to medications, foods, or food additives; but they may also be caused by bacterial infections (strep) and physical factors such as cold, exercise, or sunlight. They are usually acute (lasting < 6-weeks), but may be chronic (lasting > 6-weeks). Since chemicals called histamines drive many of the symptoms of hives, antihistamines provide effective relief.
4. Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a common adult skin condition in which an individual loses the pigment, or melanin, in their skin. Melanocytes are the cells in the skin responsible for the production of pigment. Vitiligo is characterized by the appearance of depigmented, or white, patches of skin due to loss of melanocytes. It usually occurs in areas of the skin exposed to sun such as the hands, face, arms, and feet.
The exact cause of vitiligo is unknown, but it is thought to represent an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune refers to the body attacking itself. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases estimates up to 30-percent of individuals diagnosed with the disorder have a family member with the same condition. Vitiligo cannot be cured and treatment is purely cosmetic. Treatment may options include topical steroids, ointments with immunomodulators (chemicals that interfere with the immune response), ultraviolet (UV) light therapy, or depigmentation of the rest of the body.
5. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a common chronic adult skin condition characterized by thick, red patches or plaques of skin covered with white or silvery scales. Normally new skin cells takes weeks to form, but with psoriasis new skin cells form within days. The accelerated growth of new skin cells causes the accumulation of dead skin cells leading to the characteristic thick, red patches of the disease. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates 7.5-million Americans suffer with psoriasis.
The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it is thought to represent an autoimmune response. Autoimmune refers to the body attacking itself. The patches of psoriasis most commonly appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. Psoriasis has no cure, but can be effectively treated with various modalities including topical therapy, light therapy, and medications taken by mouth, injection, or IV to suppress the immune system.
I will list some other skin disorder in my next article.
2. Eczema
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common adult skin condition. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates 1 to 3-percent of adults have the condition. Most individuals develop the condition during childhood or adolescence and it persists into adulthood. Less often, it develops exclusively in adulthood. Inflamed, red, dry, and itchy patches of skin characterize eczema. The patches can occur anywhere on the body, but most commonly are seen on the elbows, hands, and in skin folds.
Eczema has strong genetic links and is commonly associated with asthma and hay fever (allergic rhinitis). It is estimated about 70-percent of individuals diagnosed with eczema have a family history of eczema, asthma, or hay fever. Eczema is not contagious. It has no cure, but may be controlled with topical steroid creams and ointments, oral antihistamines, and immunosuppressants (medications that prevent the immune system from overreacting). Particularly resistant cases of eczema may be treated with light therapy, or phototherapy.
3. Hives
Hives, also known as urticaria, are raised, red bumps (welts) that suddenly appear on the surface of the skin. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology estimates the condition affects about 20-percent of individuals at some point in their lives. Hives can occur anywhere on the body. They are usually itchy, but can also sting or burn. Hives blanche, or turn white, when pressed. They vary in size from small to large and may coalesce, or come together, to form a very large mass.
Hives are usually caused by an allergic reaction to medications, foods, or food additives; but they may also be caused by bacterial infections (strep) and physical factors such as cold, exercise, or sunlight. They are usually acute (lasting < 6-weeks), but may be chronic (lasting > 6-weeks). Since chemicals called histamines drive many of the symptoms of hives, antihistamines provide effective relief.
4. Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a common adult skin condition in which an individual loses the pigment, or melanin, in their skin. Melanocytes are the cells in the skin responsible for the production of pigment. Vitiligo is characterized by the appearance of depigmented, or white, patches of skin due to loss of melanocytes. It usually occurs in areas of the skin exposed to sun such as the hands, face, arms, and feet.
The exact cause of vitiligo is unknown, but it is thought to represent an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune refers to the body attacking itself. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases estimates up to 30-percent of individuals diagnosed with the disorder have a family member with the same condition. Vitiligo cannot be cured and treatment is purely cosmetic. Treatment may options include topical steroids, ointments with immunomodulators (chemicals that interfere with the immune response), ultraviolet (UV) light therapy, or depigmentation of the rest of the body.
5. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a common chronic adult skin condition characterized by thick, red patches or plaques of skin covered with white or silvery scales. Normally new skin cells takes weeks to form, but with psoriasis new skin cells form within days. The accelerated growth of new skin cells causes the accumulation of dead skin cells leading to the characteristic thick, red patches of the disease. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates 7.5-million Americans suffer with psoriasis.
The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it is thought to represent an autoimmune response. Autoimmune refers to the body attacking itself. The patches of psoriasis most commonly appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. Psoriasis has no cure, but can be effectively treated with various modalities including topical therapy, light therapy, and medications taken by mouth, injection, or IV to suppress the immune system.
I will list some other skin disorder in my next article.
No comments:
Post a Comment