Types of skin diseases and how to overcome them

The causes and symptoms of skin diseases vary. There are skin diseases that feel itchy or painful, some are just making the skin so unsightly. Skin diseases can be mild, can also be dangerous and potentially life threatening. The skin is the largest organ in the body. Its function is to protect the body from bacteria, viruses, and sunlight, help regulate body temperature, feel the sensation of touch and pain, and produce vitamin D. As the outer portion of the body that receives various exposures from the environment, the skin can easily experience interference or disease. Skin diseases can occur unexpectedly, and many people assume the cause is always related to poor bodily hygiene. In fact, there are many factors that can cause skin disease.

Various Types of Skin Diseases

The following are the types of skin diseases based on their causes:

1. Skin disease due to inflammation

Inflammation of the skin is called dermatitis. This condition occurs when the skin comes in contact with an irritating substance or an allergen (substances or objects that cause allergic reactions). Symptoms of dermatitis generally include itching, redness, and swelling. Based on the cause, there are several types of dermatitis, namely:

• Irritant contact dermatitis

Irritant contact dermatitis is one of the most common skin diseases. This skin disease is characterized by the appearance of rashes, dry skin, irritation, or even blisters on the area of ​​skin that comes in contact with irritants. Some examples of irritants are chemicals, clothes bleach, detergents, alcohol, and soap.

• Allergic contact dermatitis

Symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis, such as redness and swelling, appear when the skin comes in contact with allergens. Allergens can be chemicals, cosmetics, nail polish, latex gloves, protein, or jewelry. In normal people, contact with these allergens will not cause allergic reactions. But in people with allergies, contact with allergens will cause symptoms of dermatitis. Sometimes this condition is called wet eczema.

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)

Eczema is characterized by red, itchy, dry, or scaly skin. Many people call this condition as dry eczema. These complaints often appear on the skin in the neck, elbow folds, or the back of the knee. If scratched, scaly skin can peel off the discharge. Long-term (chronic) skin disease, which usually begins with this baby, often recurs suddenly and then subsides.

• Seborrheic dermatitis

This skin disease usually affects oily areas of the body, such as the face, back and chest. Symptoms include redness and scaly skin. When it comes to the scalp, seborrheic dermatitis causes stubborn dandruff. In infants, this skin disease is known as a cradle cap.

2. Skin diseases due to autoimmune disorders

Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. Some skin diseases caused by autoimmune disorders are:

• Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a condition where skin cells grow too fast, so they accumulate and form reddish spots with silver scales.

• Vitiligo

Vitiligo occurs when skin cells that produce melanin (dark pigment) do not function. As a result, the skin loses its color and white patches appear. Vitiligo can be suffered by all skin types, but it will be seen more clearly in people with dark skin.

• Scleroderma

In scleroderma, the skin becomes hard and thickened. Scleroderma can only attack the skin, but can also attack blood vessels and internal organs.

• Pemfigus

There are two types of pemphigus, namely pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus. Pemphigus vulgaris is characterized by blisters that break easily but are not itchy. While pemphigus foliaceus is characterized by scaly or crusty skin, and small blisters that itch when broken.

• Discoid lupus erythematosus

This is a lupus disease that attacks the skin. Symptoms of discoid lupus erythematosus include severe rashes that tend to worsen when exposed to sunlight. Rashes can appear on any part of the body, but more often appear on the scalp, face, neck, hands, and feet.

3. Skin diseases due to infection

Skin diseases due to this infection are generally contagious. and can be caused by:

• Bacterial infection

Some skin diseases caused by bacterial infections include ulcers, impetigo, leprosy, folliculitis (infection of the hair glands), and cellulitis.

• Virus infection

Smallpox, shingles or smallpox snake, warts, molluscum contagiosum, and measles are skin diseases caused by viruses.

• Fungal infections

Fungus usually attacks parts of the skin that are often moist. Various types of skin diseases due to fungal infections are ringworm, tinea cruris (fungal infections in the groin), tinea versicolor, and water fleas (fungal infections in the legs).

• Parasitic infection

Parasites, such as lice and mites, are a type of parasite that often causes skin diseases, namely scabies. In addition to these two types of parasites, worm infections can also cause skin diseases.

In addition to the various skin diseases mentioned above, there are also deadly skin diseases, namely skin cancer. Skin cancer is caused by the growth of malignant cells in the skin. There are several types of skin cancer, namely melanoma, actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Overcoming and Preventing Skin Diseases

Treatment of various skin diseases depends on the type and cause. There are skin diseases that can heal on their own, and there are also those that must be treated medically, starting from administering ointment medicines to surgery. The following are some types of treatment that are often used to treat skin diseases:

1. Corticosteroids

This drug is used to reduce the body's overactive response. Corticosteroid ointments or drinking tablets are usually used to treat skin diseases due to inflammation, such as dermatitis or autoimmune disorders.

2. Antihistamines

Antihistamines are drugs that are used to relieve allergic reactions and itching on the skin. This drug can be purchased alone at a pharmacy or through a doctor's prescription.

3. Antibiotics

Antibiotic ointment is given to treat skin diseases due to bacterial infections. In extensive infections, the doctor will give antibiotics in the form of tablets or capsules taken by mouth. The consumption of antibiotics must be based on a doctor's prescription and must be finished.

4. Antiviral drugs

Provision of antiviral drugs aims to reduce symptoms and eradicate the virus that causes skin diseases.

5. Antifungal drugs

Antifungal drugs to treat skin diseases due to fungal infections are mostly in the form of topical medications. However, sometimes doctors will also prescribe antifungal drugs to take.

6. Operation

Surgery can be done to treat skin cancer or other skin diseases, such as warts. In addition to treatment, prevention also needs to be done, so that skin diseases do not recur and are not transmitted to others. The following are some steps to prevent skin diseases that can be done:

• Maintain personal hygiene by bathing every day. When bathing, it is recommended to use soap that is made from soft.
• Avoid physical contact with people with infectious skin diseases.
• Do not share the use of personal items, such as towels or clothing, with sufferers of skin diseases.
• Apply skin patches regularly to avoid dryness, itching, or irritation.
• Avoid the habit of scratching the skin and solving boils or blisters that appear on the skin.
• Avoid ways to treat facial skin, including how to brighten the face, which does not match the skin type.

Various types of skin diseases require different treatments according to the cause. If you experience complaints on the skin, do not hesitate to go to a dermatologist to get a proper examination and treatment.