Skin Conditions and Diseases

Overview

Many people do not think of it this way, but the skin is actually the body’s largest organ.  The skin is the first line of defense and best protection against bacteria that cause infection.  It also helps regulate body temperature.  There are a number of conditions that can negatively affect the skin and thereby challenge the immune system.  This can happen when the skin becomes, for example, irritated, inflamed, or injured.  Symptoms can range from mild to life threatening, and usually include burning, itching, swelling, and redness.  If not properly treated, infection can result in these damaged areas.  Some of the most common skin conditions are acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. There are many underlying causes for these problems, including allergies, irritants, a person’s genes, and certain immune-compromising diseases.  And these conditions share some similar treatments as well. 

Acne

Acne is a one of the most common skin condition.  Depending on the kind of acne, a person’s skin might develop whiteheads, blackheads, and/or red, inflamed patches of skin (cysts).  Acne develops when the pores in the surface of the skin become clogged and infected. 

Contrary to some common acne myths, research does not show that chocolate, nuts, and greasy foods cause acne. However, diets high in refined sugars may be related to acne. Skin conditions mentioned may be triggered or worsened by other factors, too, including:

• Hormonal changes related to puberty, menstrual periods, pregnancy, birth control pills, or stress;
• Oily cosmetic and hair products;
• Irritation from bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars;
• Certain drugs (such as steroids, testosterone, estrogen, and phenytoin); and
• High levels of pollution, excessive humidity or dryness (including seasonal changes), and sweating.

Eczema

Eczema is a general term used to describe a family of skin conditions in which the skin becomes swollen, irritated, dry, cracked, and itchy.  Several forms of dermatitis (including dandruff), diaper rash, and the rash that comes from contact with poison ivy are all types of eczema. The most common type is called atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema. Atopic is a term that refers to the tendency (usually inherited )to develop allergic conditions, such as asthma and hay fever.   

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is another kind of skin condition that shares some of the same causes and treatments as eczema.  With psoriasis, the skin becomes itchy and inflamed, and usually develops scaly patches that are rough and uncomfortable.  The scales develop because of a faulty immune system command to reproduce skin cells in days rather than in months.   Scales result because the body does not shed the skin cells quickly enough and they “pile up”.

Rosacea

Rosacea is yet another common skin disease that can look a little like psoriasis or eczema.  Rosacea often begins with a tendency to blush or flush more often than other people.  Symptoms of rosacea include frequent redness (flushing) of the face; small red lines under the skin; inflamed eyes/eyelids, a swollen nose, and eventually, thickened skin.  After a while, people with rosacea often see permanent redness in the center of their faces.  Sometimes, people with rosacea also develop acne-like breakouts that can lead to scarring.

None of these skin conditions -- not eczema nor psoriasis nor rosacea nor acne -- are contagious.  But they all do tend to run in families.  This is probably because of an inherited predisposition to develop these conditions.  They are also all usually chronic diseases and have no complete cure.  Sometimes though, the intensity and frequency of flare-ups can be minimized by avoiding irritants, allergens, and stress.  And there are prescription medications, as well as over-the-counter treatments available that can help.  If symptoms are severe, more dramatic therapeutic action can be taken by your doctor.

Some people develop conditions like eczema and acne when they are young, then grow out of them as they reach adulthood.  For others, the conditions develop later in life and never completely resolve.  For all these skin conditions, eating a nutritious diet, exercising, not smoking, and drinking very little or no alcohol will help relieve symptoms since smoking, drinking, and being overweight can make them worse, especially in the case of psoriasis.  These lifestyle factors can also make prescription treatments less effective.

Shingles

Shingles is a skin condition that can sometimes look like these other skin conditions, but it is quite different.  Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox.  After being exposed to the virus, a person never “clears” it from the body, although it can lie dormant in the nerves, and not produce any symptoms for years, if ever.  Researchers do not know what reactivates the virus, but it may be due to a short-term weakness in the immune system.

Unlike the other skin conditions mentioned, shingles is contagious, although much less so than chickenpox.  Anyone who has not had chickenpox previously can become infected with this virus.  If the virus spreads to someone who has not had it, the person will get chickenpox—not shingles. Newborns and those with a weakened immune system have the highest risk of contracting the virus from someone who has shingles.  This virus spreads when the person has uncovered, open blisters and someone touches the blisters. Once the blisters form scabs, the person is no longer contagious.

Older adults tend to have shingles more often than younger people. A vaccine, which can prevent shingles, is recommended for everyone 60 and older.  There is also an anti-viral medicine available for people who already have shingles that can make symptoms milder and shorter in duration. The medicine may even prevent long-lasting nerve pain. Anti-viral medicine is most effective when started within three days of seeing the rash.

Sun-exposure

A small amount of sun exposure may improve certain skin conditions like psoriasis and acne.  However, too much exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays is not recommended because it can dramatically age the skin and increase the risk for skin cancer.  Wrinkles and other signs of aging can negatively affect the appearance and proper functioning of the skin as much as any of these chronic conditions already described.  And sun damagecan make matters even worse.  Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun are actually a major cause of skin aging, as evidenced by sunspots, wrinkles, and sagging.  Cigarette smoking also contributes to wrinkles.  There are some products that can address some of this damage, but none can erase it completely.

But sun exposure is a complicated issue because while it can be harmful, it is also a source of something our bodies need: Vitamin D. The production of Vitamin D is triggered when your skin is exposed to sunshine. It is essential for maintaining healthy bones and other body systems.  But too much sun causes damage, so avoid getting a sunburn.  Not only do sunburns hurt, they can increase your risk for skin cancer even years later.  And tans are just a visible sign that UV rays have already killed off some skin cells.

Tanning beds are not a safe alternative to natural sunlight.  UV radiation is destructive no matter how your skin is exposed to it…from tanning beds or natural sunlight.  This damage increases the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging just like too much sunlight.  In fact, most tanning beds involve primarily UVA rays, which may increase the risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

You will probably hear competing advice about weighing the benefits of getting enough Vitamin D from the sun and the risks of skin cancer due to sun exposure.  You may hear different advice from different doctors.  What they will all say is that good skin care begins with sun safety.  Whether it is something as simple as age spots or as serious as skin cancer, the simplest and cheapest way to keep your skin healthy is to limit your exposure to the sun, and when in the sun, use a good sunscreen that is applied liberally and often.