Skin diseases and disorders can be caused by bacteria, fungi and viruses, by immunity problems, by excessive sebum production, improper hygiene, medical conditions, diet and environmental factors.
Given that skin is the largest organ of the human body, any skin disorder can affect ones overall health state, altering the bodys equilibrium. Preventing and treating skin ailments should therefore be a priority for us all, as a healthy skin keeps bacteria and toxins away from internal organs, regulates the body temperature, eliminates waste products and is responsible for ones healthy appearance.
Most common skin diseases and disorders
There are several categories of skin diseases that one can get due to an improper diet, hygiene and lifestyle or due to ailments affecting other organs.
The most common skin conditions are acne, bacterial infections like cellulitis, chronic skin conditions like rosacea, dermatitis, rashes and psoriasis, viral infections including warts and fungal infections like athletes foot. Also, injuries from sunburns and blisters to cuts, bruises and burns, moles, birthmarks and skin cancer are listed among the common skin disorders.
Acne affects 80% of all people aged between 11 and 30, which means 40 to 50 million people only in the United States! Psoriasis is present in almost 8 million people within the U.S., while skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, affecting over 5 million people. Eczema affects mostly women aged between 16 and 24 and is present in 10% of all population, while rosacea is most common in women aged 30 to 50.
How are skin disorders treated
A skin disorder can be treated with either internal or external remedies. The first category includes foods and drugs, while the second refers to creams, ointments and topical products. Systemic drugs are taken by mouth or given by injection, being more effective than topical treatments in certain cases, as they act from the inside, targeting the cause of the skin disorder.
In case of acne outbreaks triggered by high blood sugar levels for example, an internal treatment can be more effective than an external one, although creams and cleansing solutions play an important role as well. But in burns and cuts, external treatments and skin care products are surely more indicated, as they act directly on the affected area, speeding up skins healing.
Ointments with high concentrations of drugs, emulsions and creams containing natural ingredients or pharmaceutical substances, lotions with high content of water, baths and cosmeceuticals are all effective in treating skin diseases and disorders. Cleansing and moisturizing agents are also needed for removing debris, bacteria, excess sebum and dead skin cells, as these are all factors that can trigger skin disorders.
Then, dietary habits can be responsible for skin conditions, so in order to get rid of a skin disorder one should also check their regimen and eliminate those foods linked with increased risk of acne, rash, eczema, psoriasis or cancer. A sedentary lifestyle and high stress levels can lead to skin diseases and disorders as well, so practicing physical activities on a regular basis, taking relaxing massages, using aromatherapy and adopting a healthy sleeping schedule can also be helpful in maintaining skins health.