Is your skin itching, breaking, or having a rash or strange spots? Inflammation of the skin, changes in texture or color, and spots can be due to infection, chronic skin conditions, or exposure to an allergen or irritant. If you think you have any of these common skin problems, consult a doctor or dermatologist. Most are minors, but others may signal something more serious.
Below are lists of skin problems that shouldn’t be ignored;
Hives
Hives look like welts and can be itchy, stinging, or burning. They differ in size and sometimes join together. They can appear on any part of the body and last anywhere from minutes to days. Causes include extreme temperatures, infections such as strep throat, and allergies to medications, and foods. Antihistamines and skin creams can help.
Eczema
Eczema is a general term for many non-infectious conditions that cause skin irritation, redness, dryness and itching. Doctors do not know exactly what causes eczema, but they do know that stress, irritants (such as soap), allergens, and climate can cause flare-ups. In adults, it often appears on the folds of the elbows, hands and skin. Many medications treat eczema. Some of them are spread on the skin, while others are taken by mouth or as an injection.
Cold sores (fever blisters)
The herpes simplex virus causes small, painful fluid-filled blisters on the mouth or nose. Cold sores last about 10 days and spread easily from one person to another. Triggers include fever, stress, excessive sun exposure, and hormonal changes like menstruation. One can treat cold sores with antiviral pills or creams. Consult a doctor if the sores contain pus, the redness spreads, experience a fever, or if your eyes become irritated.
Razor bumps
After shaving, razor bumps appear when the sharp edge of a closely cut hair extends backward and grows into the skin. This can cause pimples, irritations, and even scars. To reduce razor bumps, take a hot shower before shaving, pull the blade in the direction your hair is growing, and don’t pull the skin while pulling the razor. Always use shaving cream or foam. Rinse with cold water and apply moisturizer.
Acne
Acne occurs when pores become clogged with oil and dead skin cells become inflamed. Pores that remain open and darken are called blackheads. Completely clogged pores are known as whiteheads. Bacteria and hormones cause acne, which is most common on the face, chest, and back. To control acne, keep oily areas clean and do not squeeze them (this can cause infection and scarring).
Athlete’s foot
This fungal skin infection causes foot rash, redness, itching and burning. One may also get blisters and ulcers. Athlete’s foot is contagious and comes into direct contact. To prevent this, do not share shoes with an infected person or walk barefoot in areas near a pool. Treat it with topical antifungal lotions. For more serious cases, a doctor can prescribe medication. During treatment, you should change and dry the inside of your feet and your shoes.
Warts
In most cases, common warts appear on the fingers and hands. They are caused by the human papillomavirus. Touching what the person carrying the virus is using will spread the warts. To prevent more warts, cover them with bandages, keep them dryand do not pick them. They are usually harmless and painless. You can treat them with topical medications, or a doctor mayfreeze or burn them. More advanced removal techniques include surgery, lasers, and chemicals.
