Several skin conditions affect humans. The most common of these skin diseases have some symptoms that are quite similar. So it becomes all the more important to understand the differences between each one of them.
A number of these skin diseases last for a long time. Some might start in childhood and continue into adulthood. While in some cases, the condition will not always be present but could flare up at certain times.
You need to work closely with a dermatologist to diagnose and treat any of your skin diseases to ensure that they do not affect your lifestyle. Below are a few of the most common skin diseases separated by type.
Permanent Conditions – Skin Diseases
1 Moles
Moles are common growths on your skin that appear when the skin cells bunch up with tissue surrounding them.
Moles generally do not have any symptoms. But you should get your moles checked regularly, especially if they grow larger, appear abnormal, or change color.
2 Rosacea
Rosacea is most commonly associated with redness. However, there are four subtypes of rosacea that cause other symptoms as well. Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, seen commonly – causes the typical redness, visible blood vessels, and flushing. Ocular rosacea affects the eyes -causing red and irritated eyes, swollen eyelids, and symptoms that look like a stye. Papulopustular rosacea, on the other hand, causes swelling, redness and is accompanied by breakouts quite similar to acne. Phymatous rosacea causes your skin to thicken and have a bumpy texture.
As of today, there is no known cure for rosacea. But symptoms can and should be treated to keep your skin condition in check.
3 Seborrheic dermatitis
This skin disease in babies is also known as cradle cap. You can find scaly and greasy patches of skin formed on the baby’s skin. They commonly appear on the scalp. They are generally harmless and usually go away on their own.
In adults, seborrheic dermatitis may appear anywhere on the body and is prone to flare up and then disappear for the rest of your life. The affected might look reddish, swollen, and appear greasy. A white-to-yellow crust might appear on the surface of your skin.
Many modern treatments help to bring relief from symptoms.
4 Eczema
The condition is common in young children, though it can continue into adulthood. Symptoms include rashes on the face, scalp, elbows, neck, wrists, ankles, or legs. The skin rashes are very itchy and might become bumpy, change color, or thicken. In adults, the rashes might spread all over the body, causing very dry skin that might become permanently itchy.
There is no known cure for eczema. At times the eczema can clear up on its own or the symptoms can be treated with creams and medications.
5 Melanoma
Moles that are abnormal might lead to melanoma, a serious and life-threatening skin cancer. In case the moles have asymmetrical shapes, uneven colors, ragged edges, or change in size, you should immediately get them checked by your dermatologist.
Patients with melanoma often undergo surgery, chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
6 Lupus
Lupus is a complex skin disease that attacks your immune system, causing pain and inflammation. It can affect any part of your body. However, symptoms include red patches or ring shapes on the skin. Few other symptoms include sunburn-like rashes on the cheeks and nose or circular skin rash that don’t itch or hurt. These may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, headaches, fatigue, and swollen, stiffness or painful joints.
Treatment includes various medications specifically designed to help minimize the damage caused by lupus.
7 Psoriasis – Skin Diseases
Psoriasis is a long-term autoimmune disorder. Symptoms typically include patches of abnormal skin. The affected area typically appears red, scaly, and very itchy. The affected areas could vary in size and severity. There are basically five main types of psoriasis:
Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis that causes thick red patches of skin. A pustular psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis which has clearly defined pus-filled lesions. They occur on the palms of the hands or the soles of your feet.
Inverse psoriasis causes a shin, smooth red rash in the folds of the skin like the folds of the groin, buttocks and breasts. Guttate psoriasis causes small red spots primarily on your scalp, face, torso, and limbs. Erythrodermic psoriasis causes patches on the skin that resemble severe burns covering large portions of your body.
8 Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a skin disease where there is a loss of pigmentation in the skin. White patches on the skin are the main symptom of vitiligo and occur in areas where the skin is more exposed to sunlight. People with vitiligo tend to lose their hair color early as well. For some, the symptoms are visible in one area, while for others, it spreads slowly.
There is no known cure for vitiligo but there are some medical and surgical treatment options. You can talk to your dermatologist for the best option.
Temporary Conditions in Skin Diseases
9 Acne
One of the most widespread skin diseases, acne, comes in many forms. Pustules are the commonly appearing red pimples that have pus at their tips. In contrast, infected hair follicles cause papules that resemble raised red bumps.
Nodules are generally the painful lumps that lie just underneath the surface of your skin. Similarly, cyst is a larger painful, pus-filled infection beneath the skin.
The cream can treat all kinds of acne, and sometimes medication becomes necessary.
10 Warts
Warts are the common raised red bumps we see on the skin. Particularly, the human papillomavirus (HPV) causes skin disorder. Warts can appear on any part of the body and are contagious. Common warts typically grow on your feet, hands, and joints, though they can appear anywhere. Plantar wart is one such type.
Many warts do not need treatment and go away on their own. Liquid nitrogen or medicated creams can treat some kinds of the wart.
11 Hives
Hives or urticaria are itchy skin rashes that rise from the normal layer of your skin. The red rashes sometimes burn or sting and occur due to an allergic reaction, which could be medication or food. Outside factors, such as illnesses, stress, or even tight clothes can cause these rashes.
Antihistamines medication and other preventive practices can treat hives.
12 Fungal nail infection
It is a skin disease where the fungus lives near and around the nails, usually in the feet. The fungal buildup around the nails causes the nail’s edges to crumble away. Resulting in the production of white-yellowish scales and flakes on the surface of your nails.
Your doctor will treat it using an antifungal cream or other fungal treatments.
13 Cold sore
A cold sore is a fluid-filled blister that usually appears near your mouth and lips. The sore itself is painful. Other symptoms include itching or burning sensations on the site before the sore is visible. Outbreaks might be accompanied by mild, flu-like symptoms like body aches, low fever and swollen lymph nodes.
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, and there is no known cure for this virus. Medical treatment includes medications and creams.
14 Candidiasis
When the Candida albicans fungus overgrows on your body surface is called Candidiasis. Usually, symptoms include irritated patches of skin, commonly occurring on the armpits, groin, or under folds of skin like the knee.
You can prevent Candidiasis by maintaining proper hygiene, home remedies and by reducing the overuse of antibiotics.
15 Athlete’s foot
It is a rash caused by a fungus that rapidly multiplies in warm, damp conditions, such as athletic shoes. However, symptoms include dry, itchy, red skin. The skin between the toes or under the foot might appear soggy, white, cracked, or scaly. It often itches and causes soreness.
The problem usually arises quickly. Medicated ointments and maintaining good foot hygiene can help treat athletes’ foot disorders.
Skin Diseases Caused by Internal Conditions
16 Carbuncle
A carbuncle is produced when the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria make their way into the hair follicles and cause an infection. This is a red, irritated lump visible underneath your skin. Carbuncles can be of any size, and the lump is quickly filled with pus and becomes swollen. Other symptoms generally include tiredness, itching and fever.
Carbuncles can be treated with antibiotics, drainage, and antibacterial washes. Carbuncles often respond well to medical treatment.
17 Cellulitis
It is a bacterial infection that is seen in the deeper layers of the skin, which develops quickly and spreads rapidly throughout your body. The area might become red and swollen and feel hot, painful. It commonly occurs in the legs but can occur everywhere. Severe infections could be life-threatening.
Most cases of Cellulitis can be treated with antibiotics.
Age-related Skin Diseases In Children
18 Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas is generally visible on the neck, head, or face of infants. They begin as small red scratches, which later bulge out and turn into large, noticeable growths. These bumps can grow on various organs of your body, especially on the liver. They usually disappear when your child becomes 10 years old.
19 Measles
Measles is a highly infectious airborne viral illness. Your child is most vulnerable to the illness, but it can happen to anyone. Common symptoms include red or brown rash, fever, runny eyes and nose, cough, and small reddish spots inside the mouth. Measles tends to go away after a week.
20 Impetigo
Impetigo is a common and contagious infection of the skin. In fact, it is one of the most common skin infections in young children. Usually, blisters appear around the mouth and face. Without treatment, it would take three weeks to treat.
21 Dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis is a rare inflammatory skin disease. You can see this disease common in children aged 5 to 15 and in adults between 40 and 60 years. Usually, the symptoms include rashes on the chest, face, nails, or elbows, as well as muscle swelling. There is no cure for dermatomyositis. However the treatment aims to manage the symptoms.
Age-related Skin Diseases In Adults
22 Shingles (herpes zoster)
Shingles commonly occur in the elderly. It is a viral infection that can cause painful rashes. It can appear on any part of your body but primarily on the torso. For two days, you can see a reddish, blistering rash that spreads on the surrounding skin.
If you take the antiviral medication within the first 48 hours after the eruption, the pain can be reduced. Vaccines can help prevent shingles.
23 Seborrheic keratoses
These are harmless bumps seen in elderly people. They are black, dark brown, or yellow bumpy patches on the skin. You might confuse Seborrheic keratoses with skin cancers.
24 Age spots
Age spots or liver spots are flat spots visible on the skin with more pigment than the surrounding area. If you stay in the sun for long, these spots might occur. Medical treatment is the best option.
Moles generally do not have any symptoms. But you should get your moles checked regularly, especially if they grow larger, appear abnormal, or change color.
