Friday, March 10, 2006
Factors That Can Affect An Eczema Diagnosis
The largest human organ isn't the liver, the kidneys or the lungs; it's the skin. Our skin is our front line protection against the outside world. The skin guards our internal organs against sunburn, dirt, bacteria, and other dangers.
There are hundreds of different skin conditions. Dermatitis, melanoma and other types of skin cancer, acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis are just a few of the many types of skin problems. Skin problems may be caused by food allergies, sunburn, hormones, pregnancy, genetics or a host of other causes. They are rarely life threatening. Even skin cancers (including melanoma) often respond well to treatment if detected early enough.
Skin problems cause many people emotional pain and suffering. Some skin conditions are severe enough that patients can suffer depression. In many cases, healing the emotional scars related to a skin condition can take even longer than treating the physical problem.
The cause of skin conditions range from sunburn and drug reactions to genetics and pregnancy. Many of the causes can be avoided with a little prevention, while others are more random in occurrence. Below are the most common causes of skin conditions. Any of these conditions can occur alone or in a combination of two or more which can sometimes make the diagnosis difficult.
Skin Infections - Skin infections have a viral, bacterial or fungal basis. Rashes caused by athlete's foot, impetigo, and chicken pox all fall into this category. Bacterial and fungal skin infections are usually successfully treated with antibiotics and other medications. Viral skin infections must be combated by the body's own immune system, although the symptoms associated with the infection can be treated. Skin conditions caused by infections may appear as rashes or other types of lesions such as pustules.
Sun Exposure, Sunburn and Heat Rash - Sunlight contains harmful ultraviolet rays that can damage the skin. Sunburn increases your chance of developing a skin condition, as does tanning and lengthy unprotected exposure to the sun. Skin cancer is the best known condition caused by sunburn and tanning. Premature aging of the skin also occurs with prolonged exposure to the sun.
Certain drug reactions increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, thereby increasing the chance of sunburn or heat rash. A skin condition called hyperpigmentation, where areas of skin become darker than the surrounding area, can be caused by unprotected exposure to sunlight. As hyperpigmentation may also be caused by drug reactions; excessive sun exposure while taking certain medications is ill advised.
In hot, humid weather, prickly heat rash can develop. Staying cool and dry, wearing light, cool clothing and drying thoroughly after bathing are the best defenses against the irritating prickly heat of the heat rash pustules.
Pregnancy - Certain skin conditions occur more often during pregnancy. Almost 90% of pregnant women have temporary hyperpigmentation called Melasoma, or the "mask of pregnancy" where naturally darker areas of pigmentation (such as freckles, scars, moles, and nipples) appear darker than usual. The condition slowly disappears after childbirth.
Natural Irritants and Allergies - Many temporary skin problems are caused by natural sources. Insect bites inflame and irritate the skin. Poison ivy and other irritating plants cause skin rashes, pustules and itching. Parasites such as lice and mites can cause extreme itching and discomfort.
A food allergy can cause skin rashes, hives and even facial swelling. While the symptoms of a food allergy are often dramatic, tracking down the food that causes the allergic reaction can sometimes take time. If you suspect you have a food allergy, consult your doctor: allergy testing may be in order.
Diaper rash is caused by exposure to urine and feces, allergies to disposable diapers, soaps and detergents, or by diapers that are worn too tightly. While most cases of diaper rash are mild and resolve in a day or two, more severe cases form painful pustules that cover the baby's bottom, and may even result in a yeast infection. All cases of diaper rash should be monitored for potential secondary infection by bacteria or yeast.
Drug Reactions - Adverse drug reactions can cause rashes, hives, and swelling. As mentioned above, some medications increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun. Notify your doctor of any skin problem that develops after you start a new medication.
Genetics - People whose parents suffer from skin-affecting allergies may themselves be at increased risk of developing allergies. Acne has a hereditary pattern, as do some other common skin conditions. In the field of new drug development, a skin rash is considered to be a relatively "minor" side effect. Even medicines that successfully treat problems for most people frequently list the side effect of causing or worsening skin problems for an unfortunate few. After all, who's to say whether their product caused a new rash, or was just ineffective in treating an existing one? Supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, and amino acids. The FDA requires that they include the words, "dietary supplement" on the label. By law, supplement manufacturers may not make health claims linked to a specific disease, in most cases. But many supplements do mention specific diseases (including eczema) in their ads, which is a legal gray area. Some supplements probably are effective, but don't yet have formal scientific studies to demonstrate this. Others may be a waste of your money or may worsen your condition.
There are hundreds of different skin conditions. Dermatitis, melanoma and other types of skin cancer, acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis are just a few of the many types of skin problems. Skin problems may be caused by food allergies, sunburn, hormones, pregnancy, genetics or a host of other causes. They are rarely life threatening. Even skin cancers (including melanoma) often respond well to treatment if detected early enough.
Skin problems cause many people emotional pain and suffering. Some skin conditions are severe enough that patients can suffer depression. In many cases, healing the emotional scars related to a skin condition can take even longer than treating the physical problem.
The cause of skin conditions range from sunburn and drug reactions to genetics and pregnancy. Many of the causes can be avoided with a little prevention, while others are more random in occurrence. Below are the most common causes of skin conditions. Any of these conditions can occur alone or in a combination of two or more which can sometimes make the diagnosis difficult.
Skin Infections - Skin infections have a viral, bacterial or fungal basis. Rashes caused by athlete's foot, impetigo, and chicken pox all fall into this category. Bacterial and fungal skin infections are usually successfully treated with antibiotics and other medications. Viral skin infections must be combated by the body's own immune system, although the symptoms associated with the infection can be treated. Skin conditions caused by infections may appear as rashes or other types of lesions such as pustules.
Sun Exposure, Sunburn and Heat Rash - Sunlight contains harmful ultraviolet rays that can damage the skin. Sunburn increases your chance of developing a skin condition, as does tanning and lengthy unprotected exposure to the sun. Skin cancer is the best known condition caused by sunburn and tanning. Premature aging of the skin also occurs with prolonged exposure to the sun.
Certain drug reactions increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, thereby increasing the chance of sunburn or heat rash. A skin condition called hyperpigmentation, where areas of skin become darker than the surrounding area, can be caused by unprotected exposure to sunlight. As hyperpigmentation may also be caused by drug reactions; excessive sun exposure while taking certain medications is ill advised.
In hot, humid weather, prickly heat rash can develop. Staying cool and dry, wearing light, cool clothing and drying thoroughly after bathing are the best defenses against the irritating prickly heat of the heat rash pustules.
Pregnancy - Certain skin conditions occur more often during pregnancy. Almost 90% of pregnant women have temporary hyperpigmentation called Melasoma, or the "mask of pregnancy" where naturally darker areas of pigmentation (such as freckles, scars, moles, and nipples) appear darker than usual. The condition slowly disappears after childbirth.
Natural Irritants and Allergies - Many temporary skin problems are caused by natural sources. Insect bites inflame and irritate the skin. Poison ivy and other irritating plants cause skin rashes, pustules and itching. Parasites such as lice and mites can cause extreme itching and discomfort.
A food allergy can cause skin rashes, hives and even facial swelling. While the symptoms of a food allergy are often dramatic, tracking down the food that causes the allergic reaction can sometimes take time. If you suspect you have a food allergy, consult your doctor: allergy testing may be in order.
Diaper rash is caused by exposure to urine and feces, allergies to disposable diapers, soaps and detergents, or by diapers that are worn too tightly. While most cases of diaper rash are mild and resolve in a day or two, more severe cases form painful pustules that cover the baby's bottom, and may even result in a yeast infection. All cases of diaper rash should be monitored for potential secondary infection by bacteria or yeast.
Drug Reactions - Adverse drug reactions can cause rashes, hives, and swelling. As mentioned above, some medications increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun. Notify your doctor of any skin problem that develops after you start a new medication.
Genetics - People whose parents suffer from skin-affecting allergies may themselves be at increased risk of developing allergies. Acne has a hereditary pattern, as do some other common skin conditions. In the field of new drug development, a skin rash is considered to be a relatively "minor" side effect. Even medicines that successfully treat problems for most people frequently list the side effect of causing or worsening skin problems for an unfortunate few. After all, who's to say whether their product caused a new rash, or was just ineffective in treating an existing one? Supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, and amino acids. The FDA requires that they include the words, "dietary supplement" on the label. By law, supplement manufacturers may not make health claims linked to a specific disease, in most cases. But many supplements do mention specific diseases (including eczema) in their ads, which is a legal gray area. Some supplements probably are effective, but don't yet have formal scientific studies to demonstrate this. Others may be a waste of your money or may worsen your condition.
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