– The human skin, apparently is the largest organ of the human body. Being the external cover for all the vital organs of the body, it is prone to various illnesses; whenever the predisposing factors are present. Mostly; dirt, dust, dump environs, scratches, poor hygiene, skin exposure to potential hazards and cuttings/piercings may lead to infections in one way or another.
– The skin then becomes vulnerable to attacks that cause health detororiation on an individual. Below is a list of infections the skin is vulnerable to.
1). Acne
– This is a condition that occurs when the hair follicles become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria.
– It can cause pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and sometimes cysts or nodules on the face, chest, back, and shoulders.
–Acne can be triggered by hormonal changes, stress, medications, cosmetics, or genetics.
–Acne can be treated with topical or oral medications,
such as antibiotics, retinoids, or hormonal agents.
2). Alopecia areata
–A condition of the skin that causes patches of hair loss on the scalp and sometimes other parts of the body.
–It is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the immune system attacks the hair follicles by mistake.
– It may be triggered by stress, infections, medications, or genetics.
– Alopecia areata can be treated with corticosteroids injections, topical creams, or oral medications that suppress the immune system.
3). Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
– Amongst the chronic inflammatory skin conditions that causes dry, itchy, red, and scaly patches on the skin.
– It is more common in children than adults and often runs in families. It can be triggered by allergens, irritants, infections, stress, or changes in temperature or humidity.
–Eczema can be treated with moisturizers, topical steroids, antihistamines, or immunosuppressants.
4). Psoriasis
– It is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that causes thick, red, scaly plaques on the skin. It can affect any part of the body but is more common on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. It can be triggered by infections, stress, medications, alcohol, smoking, or genetics.
– Treatment is effective with the aid of topical creams, phototherapy (light therapy), oral medications, or biologics (drugs that target specific parts of the immune system).
5.) Raynaud's phenomenon
– This skin condition causes a reduced blood flow to the fingers and toes when exposed to cold temperatures or emotional stress.
–It can cause numbness, tingling, pain, and color changes (from white to blue to red) in the affected areas. It can be associated with other diseases that affect the blood vessels or connective tissues, such as scleroderma or lupus.
–Raynaud's phenomenon can be treated with medications that dilate the blood vessels (such as calcium channel blockers), avoiding cold exposure or stressors.
6). Rosacea
– This is a chronic skin condition that causes redness and flushing on the face.
– It can cause pimples (papules and pustules), visible blood vessels (telangiectasias), thickening of the skin (phymatous rosacea), or eye irritation (ocular rosacea).
– It is triggered by sun exposure, spicy foods, alcohol, hot drinks, stress, or genetics.
– Treatment of this condition is by applying topical creams (such as metronidazole or azelaic acid), oral antibiotics (such as doxycycline or minocycline), laser therapy (to reduce blood vessels), or surgery (to remove excess skin).
7). Skin cancer
– A common type of cancer in the present time due to changes in global warming.
– This is a group of diseases that involve abnormal growth of skin cells that can invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body.
🔅Types of skin cancer:
A). Basal cell carcinoma (BCC).
B). Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
C). Melanoma.
– BCC and SCC are more common and less aggressive than melanoma but can still cause disfigurement or complications if left untreated.
– Melanoma is less common but more dangerous and can be fatal if not detected early.
– The main cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds.
– Other risk factors include fair skin type (especially with freckles), history of sunburns or blistering sunburns in childhood.
– Skin cancer can be prevented by avoiding excessive sun exposure (especially between 10 am and 4 pm), wearing protective clothing and sunglasses, applying sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, and checking your skin regularly for any changes.
– Skin cancer can be treated with:
• Surgery - to remove the tumor.
• Cryotherapy - to freeze off the tumor.
• Electrodessication and curettage - to scrape and burn off the tumor.
• Radiation therapy - to kill the cancer cells with high-energy rays.
• Chemotherapy - to kill the cancer cells with drugs.
• Immunotherapy - to boost the immune system to fight the cancer; or
• Targeted therapy - to block specific genes or proteins that help the cancer grow.
8). Vitiligo:
– This is a condition that causes patches of skin to lose their pigment (color). It can affect any part of the body but is more noticeable on areas with more melanin (such as the face, hands, feet, or genitals).
– It is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the immune system attacks the melanocytes (cells that produce melanin) by mistake.
– It is triggered by stress, sunburn, injury, or genetics.
– Vitiligo can be treated with topical creams (such as corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors), phototherapy (light therapy), oral medications (such as immunosuppressants or antioxidants), surgery (such as skin grafting or micropigmentation), or depigmentation (removing the remaining pigment from the skin).
🔅Other common skin infections are:
a). Fungal infections e.g., ringworm, athlete's foot, or candidiasis.
b). Bacterial infections e.g., impetigo, cellulitis, or leprosy.
c). Viral infections e.g., herpes simplex, chickenpox, or warts.
d). Parasitic infections e.g., scabies, lice, or bedbugs.
e). Allergic reactions e.g., contact dermatitis, hives, or angioedema; and
f). Inflammatory disorders e.g., lichen planus, sarcoidosis, or granuloma annulare.
