In this article, we describe some common medical conditions and other factors that can cause dry skin and how to deal with them. The skin can become dry, scaly, or flaky for many everyday reasons, such as being exposed to chemicals in soaps or harsh, windy weather. In many cases, a person can alleviate the symptom by applying the right lotion to the affected area regularly and avoiding cleaning and personal care products that contain harsh chemicals. Skin conditions can become worse in cold weather, including dermatitis, which broadly refers to any condition that causes skin inflammation.
There are many types of dermatitis. This type of dermatitis usually results from contact with an allergen, such as poison ivy or animal dander.
Also, some laundry detergents can trigger an allergic reaction. People can prevent further reactions by identifying what had triggered the dermatitis and by avoiding it in the future. Contact dermatitis occurs on the area of skin that came into contact with the allergen. This means that it can affect any part of the body.
It is common in exposed areas, such as the hands and face. Learn more about contact dermatitis here. Atopic dermatitis, or eczema , is a chronic skin disease that mainly affects children. The exact cause remains unclear, but genetic and environmental factors play significant roles. Learn more about atopic dermatitis here. Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that occurs when the sebaceous glands produce too much oil.
They result from a problem with the melanin in the skin. If a person has lighter or darker skin patches, this may signify a skin pigmentation disorder. Type of skin pigmentation disorder include:. This is a common skin condition that usually affects facial skin and causes brown patches. It affects women more often than men. Triggers of melasma can include sun exposure and hormonal changes. This disease can affect any part of the body.
It causes the cells that produce melanin, known as melanocytes, to stop working correctly, which results in patches of lighter skin. The exact cause of vitiligo is unknown, but a problem with the immune system may be responsible.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. This is a temporary increase or decrease in skin pigment following skin trauma, such as a blister or burn. People with albinism do not produce enough melanin. This leads to little or no pigment in the skin, hair, or eyes. Albinism is a genetic disorder, meaning that a person inherits a faulty gene from one or both of their parents. Undiagnosed or untreated diabetes can also cause changes in the skin, such as:.
If discolored skin patches appear suddenly and then disappear, there may be a simple explanation. If a new patch of discolored skin appears and does not go away, it is best to see a doctor. The edges of each patch are irregular, but distinct from the surrounding skin.
Each patch grows very slowly. Only rarely are the patches sore or irritated. Age — the condition is more common in people over 40 years. Elderly women are particularly prone. Arsenic — people who are exposed to arsenic are at increased risk.
Systemic immunosuppression — this is required by organ transplant recipients to prevent organ rejection. Diagnosis of Bowen's disease Bowen's disease produces persistent red scaly patches on the skin that are not sore or itchy.
Diagnosis methods include: physical examination medical history biopsy of the lesion, including laboratory examination of the tissue sample. Treatment for Bowen's disease Treatment options include: Cryosurgery — the lesion is destroyed with intense cold. This type of treatment has a success rate of around 90 per cent when conducted by specialists.
Curettage — the lesion is scraped off the skin with a curette and the base of the wound is treated with cauterisation, where the skin is lightly burnt with an electric current.
It has a success rate of around 90 per cent when performed by dermatologists. Photodynamic therapy PDT — a special type of light is used to destroy the lesion. A shiny bump or nodule. A scar-like area that is flat white, yellow or waxy in color. Keep in mind that BCCs can also look different from the descriptions above. In some people, BCCs can resemble noncancerous skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. Other times, the condition is diagnosed when a cut from shaving does not heal.
In patients with darker skin, about half of BCCs are pigmented meaning brown in color. When in doubt, check it out. Follow your instincts and visit your dermatologist if you see anything new, changing or unusual on your skin. A basal cell carcinoma may be pigmented, like this one, on skin of color. BCCs on the nose, ears and lips are more likely to recur, usually within the first two years after surgery. Julie K. Karen, MD Ronald L.
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