Common skin problems come in all forms and shapes. While some are minor and need nothing but time and little care, others are threatening. When you notice something new on your skin, it’s only natural to be curious or even anxious, at times. That’s why a little bit of knowledge about common skin issues is wise to acquire.
Various types of skin problems differ in severity and aesthetic impact. We hate pimples, especially if it’s annoying. You should know that the apparent skin problem is just a symptom most of the time. The real problem is hidden somewhere else, such as allergies.
Therefore looking for a treatment that only deals with the symptoms will only alleviate their annoyance, leaving the real problem untreated. So, let’s get to know more about the most common skin conditions to avoid them.
Skin Health
Healthy skin is a sign of general health. People with fair, moist, and clear skin are often healthy. Their skin reflects their general well-being, so they look more lively.
When you’re a teenager, things might be a little bit different. Acne can be a natural thing to expect as a teenager for some years; it’s a sign of health.
When we have problems with our skin either due to genetic factors, daily habits, infections, or mere chance, it should alarm us. It might signal that we should take some preventive measures to ensure we’re not doing anything wrong.
The Challenge of Identifying Skin Conditions
From simple sunburns to advanced infections, the umbrella term “skin conditions” covers a lot of ground. It’s super challenging to talk about everything, especially if you don’t have a medical degree. You need to study for at least 7 years and practice for more than a decade to declare yourself an authority on skin.
However, to have laypeople’s knowledge, we will briefly discuss the common skin problems just to have an idea. This is not an article that you should see as an authority. Instead, you should look at it as Skin Issues 101; just a document for reference.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the 13 most common skin problems that we usually encounter!
13 Most Common Skin Issues
Since including all the skin problems would require writing a full-length book, we will only suffice with 13. These 13 skin problems are the most common among people.
1 – Acne
Acne is probably the most common skin problem. Commonly located on the face, neck, and upper body, acne can be described as a mess of pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, etc.
When you leave acne untreated or treat it poorly, it can leave scars or darken the skin.
The causes of acne are different from person to person. Teenagers and young adults experience acne at a certain point. Other causes can be nutritional, hormone-related, or due to your skin contact with something triggering.
While stress might not directly cause acne, it can make the situation worse.
To treat acne, you might want to consider changing your diet, especially if you eat greasy food.
2 – Eczema
Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is a common skin problem that affects many people. Eczema refers to a spot on the skin that feels very itchy and develops harsh, scaly skin.
The skin naturally keeps itself moisturized to protect itself. When a spot on your body fails to do that, eczema develops. Your skin becomes vulnerable to environmental factors such as heat, pollen, and other irritants.
To avoid the itchiness associated with eczema, you should keep your skin moisturized in the infected area, stay hydrated, clean, and avoid foods that trigger it.
3 – Sun Burn
Sunburns are these minor skin problems you get when you have pale skin and spend some time under the sun. While skin burns are not very serious, they can develop into more grave problems if your skin is vulnerable.
To avoid sunburns, you should apply sunscreen before exposing your skin to too much sun.
And if you’re already suffering from a sunburn, taking a cold shower a couple of times a day might be super helpful. You can also apply some lotion to help your skin moisturize and regain its health.
4 – Allergic reactions
Allergic reaction is a big term that includes skin issues and other health problems. Sometimes, when you eat certain foods, you get an allergic reaction to them that shows up on your skin.
The best approach to identifying your triggering allergens is to pay close attention to your diet and how certain foods affect your body.
Pet allergies and allergy to touching certain substances is also a factor. You can consult a professional healthcare provider specializing in skin conditions to tell you about your triggers.
5 – Blisters
You get blisters every time your skin is burnt or exposed to friction; they’re little areas on the skin filled with a clear liquid.
The best thing you can do to treat a simple blister is not to pop it if you don’t have to, keep it clean, and wait for it to go away.
Suppose you have a serious case of blisters. In that case, you should see a professional healthcare provider or do more research about them.
6 – Rosacea
Rosacea usually appears as dry reddish spots on the skin, especially around the cheeks and forehead.
In extreme cases, you sometimes get an annoying sensation and an inflated nose.
While most people who suffer from Rosacea are middle-aged women, this common skin problem can infect anyone.
Some triggers include extreme weather conditions and some foods and drinks like alcohol.
7 – Chilblains
Chilblains are those itchy red spots that you get during winter, especially in the tips of your fingers. Sometimes, the whole fingers suffer from chilblains.
Chilblains can be really annoying before you go to sleep. They’re usually a problem that you develop when you expose your skin to extreme cold and heat. When you warm your hands very quickly after you return home, the chilblains get triggered and start to itch.
To avoid chilblains, one has to wear gloves during winter.
8- Measles Skin Rash
The measles rash is reddish in color. It’s a respiratory disorder caused by bacterial infection.
The fever is what causes the skin rash.
It usually starts from the face, working its way down from the upper body to the limbs and legs, until finally reaching the feet.
The rash usually lasts for a week before it goes.
9 – Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition where white patches develop on the skin. When the pigment of the skin, called melanin, lacks in certain areas, that’s where Vitiligo develops.
Vitiligo can impact any skin area, but we commonly see it on the face, hands, feet, and neck.
Vitiligo is apparently one of those skin conditions that just develop randomly in 1% of the population and has no severe symptoms. Other than the aesthetic impact, vitiligo is virtually harmless.
10 – Lupus
Lupus happens when your immune system starts attacking your tissues for some reason or another. In the case of lupus affecting the skin, you often see red spots on the skin, especially around the cheeks.
To reduce the negative effects of lupus on the skin, you need to reduce inflammation. You can either take anti-inflammatory medication or use something else. For example, vitamin E oil is a good anti-inflammatory agent.
Taking cold showers can also help you reduce lupus symptoms on your skin.
11 – Keratosis pilaris
Keratosis pilaris is a harmless skin condition that shouldn’t be alerting at all. Keratosis pilaris causes rough patches and tiny bumps on the upper arms, thighs, and buttocks. The bumps are not annoying or itchy.
Most professionals and experts consider Keratosis pilaris a variant of normal skin.
12 – Chloasma/Melasma
Melasma, also known as chloasma, is a skin condition characterized by freckle-like spots of brown to blue-gray color. Most people know it as the “mask of pregnancy.” Melasma happens when the body overproduces the cells controlling the color of the skin: melanin.
Melasma is one of those skin problems that need no treatment at all because it’s harmless.
13 – Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that develops on areas of the skin exposed to too much sun, like the face. While it’s not a very serious type of skin cancer and can be treated quite easily, basal cell carcinoma might be a sign that should alert you.
It usually appears as a bump with brown or black color and has a rolled border.
If the bump is very annoying in the local area, you should immediately consult a healthcare professional.
Skin conditions FAQ (frequently asked questions)
1 What is the difference between skin diseases and disorders?
While the two terms, disease and disorder, are often used interchangeably, they are subtle differences.
A disease is distinct and easily measurable. Skin diseases are easy to spot and measure.
On the other hand, a disorder might indicate the existence of a disease. Still, there’s not enough evidence to spot the source of the problem. Disorders take further diagnosis to determine their cause.
2 Which medicine is best for skin allergy?
Depending on the severity of your condition, you might want to try various approaches.
For minor allergy symptoms on the skin, you can try Hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, antihistamines, or cold compresses. Oatmeal baths are also super helpful to alleviate the symptoms.
3. How can I treat my skin at home?
The best approach to treat your skin at home is to prevent it from issues in the first place. You can watch over your diet and see if there are any foods you should stop eating because they’re not good for your skin.
Staying hydrated and applying moisturizers from time to time on your skin should also be a priority.
If you get a minor problem, you can just google it and see if there are any videos explaining how to treat it.
4. Why am I getting so many skin problems?
If you’re a teenager or a young adult, the situation with your growth hormones might be the number one cause of your skin problems, like acne.
However, there are other reasons why you’re constantly having skin problems. That could be because of your diet, your lifestyle, or environmental triggers beyond your power.
5. How do you repair damaged skin?
Depending on how much your skin is damaged, you can follow various strategies to repair it.
While some strategies only require homemade products that you can easily prepare in your kitchen or bathroom, some may require the consultation of a professional.
6. How do I get rid of all skin problems?
Unfortunately, some skin problems are there for life, and you can’t do anything about them. However, some can be dealt with and treated with proper precautions, hygiene, a good diet, and a healthy lifestyle.
You can also avoid skin problems caused by allergies by staying away from triggers.
7. How can I get clear skin overnight?
Here are some strategies you can use:
- Clean your face before bed.
- Use Apple Cider Vinegar to wipe your face.
- Use a sheet mask before going to sleep.
- Avoid eating salty foods after the sunset.
- You can use some kind of oil.
- You can try vitamin C or A oils.
- Hydrate yourself and moisturize your skin.
- Leave those pimples alone, and don’t pop them.
Bottom line
Reading online material about skin issues, especially when you have a severe problem, will not do you any good. What you should be doing is looking for practical solutions with the help of rationality and a professional.
Make sure to take care of your skin by watching your diet and the triggers that give you issues. You should also expose your skin to the sun regularly without overdoing it to avoid sunburns. Regular exercise while drinking mineral water and eating foods that have high anti-oxidant content are also necessary for skin health.
Other practical ways to take care of your skin can be found in books on the subject and also by professionals.