Skin diseases: Info & specialists for skin diseases

Leading Medicine Guide Editors
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Leading Medicine Guide Editors

The skin is our largest organ and the mirror of our soul. The average skin area of an adult is around 1.8 m². Our skin is an important sensory organ, protects us from pathogens and regulates our body temperature.

Its diseases are correspondingly diverse. If your skin causes discomfort, you should consult a doctor to clarify the cause. Here you will find further information as well as selected obesity specialists and centers.

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Article overview

Recognizing skin diseases

Skin diseases (dermatoses) show many different symptoms. Depending on the cause, the first signs of a skin disease appear at a very early stage. These signs are referred to as primary efflorescence. They allow you to make an initial assessment of what type of dermatosis it may be.

A visit to the doctor is essential when the symptoms appear for the first time and the cause must first be clarified.

Acne

Acne vulgaris is an inflammation of the skin appendages (hair follicles and sebaceous glands). Acne causes

  • increased activity of the sebaceous glands in the skin,
  • a strong keratinization of the pores and
  • the proliferation of acne bacteria.

This combination leads to severely damaged skin with numerous blackheads (comedones) and painful inflamed bumps that heal with scarring.

Treatment is carried out at home in the form of intensive skin care with pH-neutral cleansing lotions. In severe cases, drug therapy with

  • benzoyl peroxide,
  • vitamin A,
  • antibiotics and
  • hormone preparations

is appropriate.

Akne
Facial skin with acne © praisaeng | AdobeStock

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic or chronically recurring (relapsing) inflammatory skin disease. It manifests itself in the form of

  • Redness,
  • mucus and
  • abrasive formations on the skin, which are accompanied by agonizing itching.

If you suffer from neurodermatitis, you should consult a dermatologist who specializes in these skin diseases. First and foremost, the treatment involves consistent and correct skin care. Care products with urea and glycerine support the natural skin barrier.

At the same time, it is also important to avoid trigger factors. Prescription cortisone and immunosuppressants are also used for treatment.

Neurodermitis
Toddler with neurodermatitis © Gina Sanders | AdobeStock

Herpes

This skin condition manifests itself as typical painful fluid-filled blisters on the mouth. Usually only one lip is affected, but herpes can also spread to the skin around the mouth or nose.

When the affected half of the face is moved, the blisters can burst and their contents can leak out.

The blistering can be accompanied by

  • itching,
  • pain and
  • tingling of the skin

may precede blistering. Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus. Viruses from the same family cause genital herpes.

Warts

Warts are benign growths on the skin that can develop after an infection with the human papillomavirus. A distinction is made between

Stalk warts, ice warts and senile warts do not belong to the group of true warts.

Warts differ in appearance: They often appear as small, sharply defined bumps on the skin, which can be smooth or rough, pointed or rounded. They can also cause pain or be painless.

Warts often develop on areas of skin that are exposed to strong sunlight, such as the hands. Plantar warts, on the other hand, only occur on the feet.

Vulgärwarze
Vulgar wart on the hand © Olena | AdobeStock

Psoriasis (psoriasis)

Psoriasis is a benign skin disease. Psoriasis is often limited to isolated lesions, especially on the elbows and knees. However, psoriasis can also spread to the entire body. Nails, joints and mucous membranes are less frequently affected.

Psoriasis can occur at any age. Around 2 million people in Germany suffer from psoriasis. Men and women are equally affected.

Psoriasis is most likely an autoimmune reaction. The body's own defense system attacks the cells of the epidermis, whereupon they begin to multiply rapidly. The skin of patients with psoriasis thickens and flakes.

Most patients suffer from psoriasis vulgaris. The most common form of this disease is type I. It occurs at a young age and is severe. Type II develops between the ages of 35 and 60 and is usually milder.

To treat psoriasis, the doctor develops an individual therapy concept. Various medications and forms of therapy are available for this.

Schuppenflechte
Man with psoriasis © irina_g | AdobeStock

Skin cancer

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of tumor. Excessive UV radiation is a major risk factor. Sunburns at a young age increase the risk of skin cancer.

The most common skin cancer is white. This cancer occurs in two forms: Basal cell carcinoma, also known as spiny cell carcinoma or spinal cell carcinoma. White skin cancer mainly occurs in areas of skin that are particularly exposed to the sun. Particularly at risk are

  • The face,
  • shoulders,
  • back,
  • décolleté and
  • the back of the feet.

Basal cell carcinoma forms a white-reddish pustule that often falls off in the middle and looks like a small crater. Squamous cell carcinomas begin as a red, lumpy area on the skin called a keratosis. This then leads to increased keratinization, which eventually develops into cancer.

Black skin cancer, medically known as melanoma, is less common but also more aggressive. In most cases, black skin cancer appears as a changing mole.

Melanomas can occur all over the body, even in sun-protected areas. Black skin cancer can also develop in the genital area or under the soles of the feet. In contrast to white skin cancer, melanoma can also form metastases.

Surgery and removal of the tumor is the preferred treatment for all forms of skin cancer. Radiation and chemotherapy may also follow for malignant melanoma.

Shingles

Anyone with shingles has been infected with the chickenpox virus. The initial infection usually occurred many years ago and manifested itself as chickenpox. After recovery, the virus remains in the body for life. Viruses settle in the cranial nerves and nerve roots of the spinal cord.

If the immune system is weakened, the viruses begin to multiply again. The virus then travels up the nerve to the skin, where it causes shingles, also known as herpes zoster.

People with shingles are often between 60 and 70 years old, but in some cases shingles can develop in children and teenagers.

Symptoms of herpes zoster include

  • Fatigue,
  • mild fever and
  • a burning sensation near the affected nerve.

A shingles rash appears with a reddened background and swollen, pinhead-sized blisters.

After a week, the blisters slowly dry up and turn into dry crusts that fall off after about two to three weeks.

Herpes zoster symptoms can occur throughout an infected person's body, depending on which nerve is affected by the shingles.

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