Common Adult Skin Problems and How to Deal With Them

The Skin

A blemish here, a pimple here and there”all these are enough to diminish your self-esteem. But are we really familiar with the common skin problems that continue to affect us?

It is of no wonder that we should be much concerned for our skin. Our skin, after all, is one of the most important organs of the body, and is also the largest, with the size of about 20 square feet. Our skin functions to protect us from microorganisms that may invade our internal organs and other unhealthy elements as well as it also helps regulate body temperature through the sweat glands and its pores. The skin is also the recipient of numerous sensations and the transmitter of these sensations to the brain and the nerves.

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Just like any other organ in the body, the skin may become sick every now and then. The skin may experience itchiness, breaks, cracks, redness, swelling, rashes or spotting. There are many reasons for these, but here are some of the common skin ailments that you should consider.

Common Skin Lesions

Burning, tingling or sensitive skin later on having rashes made up of raised dots that later on develop painful blisters is a characteristic finding of shingles or herpes zoster. These skin lesions can last for as long as two weeks and can affect the skin of the trunk, buttocks, and other areas. This condition can be treated with antiviral medications, ointments, creams, steroids, antidepressants and other agents.

Itchy welts that burn or sting and gather to form larger areas may be hives or urticaria. Urticaria is a form of allergic reaction to medicines, food, cold, infections, food additives and others. Your doctor may prescribe you with an antihistamine for relief.

If there are thick reddish plaques with scaly rash affecting the scalp, elbows, knees and back, you may be having psoriasis. Psoriasis is usually triggered by a reaction of the immune system so that the skin cells grow quickly to form scale-like lesions.

Inflamed skin which is red, itchy and dry may be eczema, which may be due to irritants, stress, allergens and weather. The cause is usually unknown in most cases but it can disappear and flare up again. Ointments, creams and oral medicines can be used.

Redness of the nose, cheeks, forehead, eyes or chin may be due to rosacea; the redness may have a ruddy appearance with visible blood vessels and pus-filled pimples. Skin may thicken over time. Medications may be given, as well as treatment through laser therapy and other derma procedures.

Blisters on the mouth or nose are known as cold sores or fever blisters and may be due to the herpes simplex virus. This lesion is contagious and may last for 10 days or more. Antiviral medications and creams may be used but you have to consult your doctor if fever develops.

A pimple is a clogged pore which is filled with oil and dead skin cells. It soon opens to become a blackhead or open comedo; if it remains closed it can become a whitehead or closed comedo. These lesions are visible on the face, back, chest and other areas. The trick is to keep the area clean and remove oil frequently.

Peeling, redness, itching, blistering and burning of the foot may be caused by athlete's foot, a fungal infection. This is often spread through shared shoes or walking barefoot in locker rooms and pools. Antifungal creams can help.

Raised lesions occurring on the fingers or hands are commonly caused by warts. Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus and are contagious. If you have a wart, you should cover it, not lick it and keep them dry. In persistent cases, ointments and creams may be used as well as laser therapy and cautery.

If you want to know more on how to take good care of your ski, check out our other articles on this site.