One in three Americans suffers from one form of skin disorder. It can be uncomfortable knowing your skin problem cannot be hidden. Research shows that people with these disorders tend to worry about others’ perceptions of them, which may be why many adopt skincare routines to keep some disorders at bay. Below is a discussion of some common skin disorders and how to treat them.
- Atopic dermatitis
Otherwise known as eczema, atopic dermatitis is prevalent in children aged 0-10 years but is also quite common among adults. The national eczema website states that 7.3% of the adult population lives with atopic dermatitis, which is autoimmune. And statistics indicate that it affects 1 – 3% of adults on a more global scale.
Unfortunately, this makes people with atopic dermatitis more susceptible to other infections. Indeed, this is expected, especially due to the compromised immune system. Lesser-known findings also state that chronic atopic dermatitis could be genetic or due to environmental factors. Atopic dermatitis can occur on any part of the body, but it commonly appears on the face, back, neck, arms, and within skin folds. Moreover, due to the itchy nature of this condition, scratching them could result in a thickening of the affected skin that eventually becomes scaly.
When commencing your eczema treatment, you should first know the types of medications available. You may be required to do a patch test to avoid any allergy issues. Prescription medications like ADBRY can be injected to treat moderate to severe forms of eczema or atopic dermatitis. You may want to avoid using it for children due to the lack of evidence in how safe it is for minors. Topical corticosteroids creams can also be used in its treatment.
- Hives or Urticaria
Hives appear as skin rash triggered by different factors. Medical reports say it could be a reaction to foods, bug bites, medicine, plants, or other unknown irritants. In appearance, they look raised, taking the form of welts. While a small area of hives’ appearance on the skin may not be alarming, there is cause for concern when it affects your breathing or causes swelling. Under normal circumstances, hives disappear within four hours of the first appearance.
On the other hand, chronic hives are a different story altogether. Some people are usually aware of their triggers, but others are unfortunately not well-informed. If you belong to the latter group, now may be the moment to discover your triggers. While the American College of Dermatology says about 20% of the adult population will experience hives at some point in life, it is prevalent among women. In a webmd.com report, the numbers indicated that women are twice likely to live with chronic urticaria.
Regarding treatment forms, it is best to avoid the triggers. However, when you get it, antihistamines work well. If you’re engaged in any activity, you may want to avoid antihistamine medications that cause drowsiness. On the other hand, if you want to improve sleep quality at night with hives, you can take the sleep-inducing antihistamine. For severe hives, your physician may recommend a cetirizine injection. But that will not be an option if you have impaired liver or kidney functions.
- Rosacea
What may look like an intense natural blush on your face may not be something else. Rosacea is a skin condition characterized by chronic face swelling, the appearance of blood vessels under the skin, pus-filled pimples, and redness. It is also more common in women over 30 years for unknown reasons. Meanwhile, infants and children from 0 to 10 years can also experience Rosacea.
The type and severity of treatment for this skin condition would depend on the symptoms. Additionally, treatment may be topical or oral, depending on the severity. The FDA approved a constricting agent to reduce the appearance of blood vessels under the skin. Your physician or dermatologist may recommend it if needed.
- Acne
Acne can be a nightmare for teenagers, regardless of gender. Unfortunately, even during adulthood, it can persist and cause the sufferer undue stress and worry about appearance. Acne occurs when hair follicles under the skin get blocked, especially on the face. Excess sebum, dead skin cells, and dirt can cause these blockages. Apart from the regular washing of the face to reduce dirt and excess oil (sebum), dermatologists usually prescribe Isotretinoin for acne treatment. While you stick to that or other approved treatment methods, it is recommended to avoid picking at your acne.
- Psoriasis
Psoriasis is often confused with atopic dermatitis (eczema). The two are similar in appearance, but some differences tell them apart. While both cause itching, Psoriasis has a milder itch but a stinging or burning sensation. Psoriasis makes the affected look inflamed, thickened, scaly, and silvery. Medical research indicates that Psoriasis tends to appear more among people aged 15 to 35 years. Steroid creams and ointments are the usual go-to products in treating Psoriasis. These are also the best options when dealing with mild to moderate Psoriasis. Your physician may recommend other treatment types if you have a severe case of Psoriasis.To conclude, it is always recommended to get a clinical diagnosis of the skin disorder you’re experiencing—this helps in the proper treatment method.