Common skin problems you should know about
Skin health is a mirror of a person’s overall health and is also an important part of external grooming. Good skin health means a good diet and a metabolism that’s working well, while skin problems can point to several underlying health conditions. Let’s take a look at some common skin problems and their causes.
Acne
Acne occurs when the skin pores are blocked by the sebaceous gland’s secretions. A very common skin problem, acne can be categorized into whiteheads, blackheads, and cystic acne, which is a severe type of acne that occurs beneath the skin.
Symptoms
Acne may lead to red spots on the skin, and these may or may not be filled with pus. The most common areas of the body affected by this skin problem are the face, back, and neck. Also, acne may swell upward or be compressed into the skin, and black open pores are known as blackheads.
Causes and risks
Acne has many causes, but it is mostly caused due to skin pores getting clogged due to excess sebum production, which makes people with oily skin more prone to acne. This normally happens due to hormonal activity among teenagers and also due to steroid consumption in athletes. Acne is also common in women who take contraceptive pills, but it can also affect other adults due to hormonal changes as a result of any other cause.
Psoriasis
This skin problem runs in a family and leads to symptoms like red or silver bumps on the skin. It might cover the whole body or affect only some parts of the body in certain cases, but the condition is not contagious.
Symptoms
The symptoms of psoriasis are the development of scales and tiny reddish bumps on the skin, which may bleed when itched. Also, the nails may form pits and become discolored when a person is affected by this skin condition.
Causes and risks
Although the causes of psoriasis are known, it is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and abnormal production of skin cells, which buildup on the skin. Also, a psoriasis rash can be triggered by an injury to the skin and by stress.
Rosacea
This skin condition affects the face and leads to redness of the cheeks and forehead. It can also affect the nose and can cause a condition called rhinophyma in severe cases. Rosacea can also lead to bumps on the skin, along with visible blood vessels on the face.
Symptoms
This skin condition has symptoms like visible blood vessels, flushing of the skin, and pus-filled pimples. It may also be marked by swelling in the affected areas and dry skin, along with watery eyes and a stinging sensation in the face.
Causes and risks
Although the exact cause of rosacea is not known, some studies show that it might be the result of neurovascular issues. Additionally, statistics show that women are at a higher risk of developing the condition, and so are people with fair skin.