Public Health - Taking Care of Your Skin - Public Health - Treatment of Skin Problems By Microbiology Doctor dr (doctor_dr)

Taking Care of Your Skin

Skin issues are quite prevalent. Some are caused by natural processes that occur in your body as you get older. Others are brought on by viruses, injuries, or the environment. Simple first aid can help to prevent and treat several ailments. A dermatologist should be consulted for more significant issues. A dermatologist [DUR muh TAHL uh just] is a physician who specialises in the treatment of skin diseases.

Acne
Acne is a frequent skin issue among teens. It's linked to the body's natural changes during development, which result in an excess of sebum production. Acne is caused by excess sebum, which results in blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. A blackhead is a pore blockage made of hardened sebum. The blackhead darkens due to exposure to air rather than dirt. Because sebum has accumulated beneath the epidermis, a whitehead is a blocked pore that is not exposed to air. Bacteria can develop in trapped sebum on occasion. Pimples appear as a result of this. A pimple is an inflamed and diseased plugged pore. It's possible that it's packed with pus.

For long years, experts believed that pimples were caused by fatty meals like chocolate. Foods, on the other hand, are seldom the cause of acne, according to recent study. However, consuming certain meals might aggravate acne. One example is iodine in seafood. If you notice that particular foods make your skin problems worse, avoid them.

Acne may be managed in mild instances by keeping the skin clean. Some dermatologists advise using simply a face towel and warm water to cleanse the face. Others advise only using extremely mild soaps. Picking or squeezing pimples and blackheads is also a bad idea. Squeezing is more likely to exacerbate rather than alleviate your condition since it spreads illness.

Dermatitis 
Dermatitis [dur muh TY tis] is the medical term for skin redness and swelling. Dermatitis is not a disease, but rather a skin condition that can be caused by a variety of factors. 

A reaction of the body to an irritating chemical is known as an allergy. Allergies are commonly caused by pollen, dust, plants, and animals. 

Eczema [EK suh muh] is a skin condition characterised by swelling and redness, as well as blisters and itching, which is generally triggered by an allergic reaction. It can also be caused by certain foods, such as chocolate or tomatoes. Hives are little lumps on the skin's surface produced by an allergic response to food or medication. Emotional stress may also be a factor. The pimples might be tiny or big, and they can cover a considerable region of the skin. Hives generally itch and burn a lot. Your doctor may prescribe antihistamines to help with the itching. If you suspect you are having an allergic response, attempt to figure out what it is so you can avoid it. cause
When a harsh or irritating material comes into contact with the skin, it can induce dermatitis. Detergents, clothes, soaps, fragrances, hair colours, and cosmetics are all known to induce contact dermatitis.

A poison ivy rash is one of the most frequent types of contact dermatitis. This plant's sap contains an oil that causes the skin to become red and blister within 48 hours. Itching and burning are common side effects. Some folks even get fevers and headaches. A poison ivy rash usually goes away in three weeks, whether it is treated or not. This book's First Aid Manual includes some advice on how to treat a poison ivy rash right away. This sap's oil is highly powerful. A single ounce of it may give 28 million individuals a rash. The sap from a leafless broken vine can elicit a response even in the dead of winter. The easiest approach to avoid poison ivy is to stay away from the plant. The three-leaf arrangement of poison ivy and poison oak, as well as the fernlike leaves of poison sumac.

Skin Infections
Germs are the source of skin infections. In most cases, they may be avoided by avoiding contact with an infected person or item. Various bacteria are responsible for a wide range of skin issues.
A boil outbreak is one of the skin diseases caused by bacteria. An infected hair follicle causes a boil, which is a firm, red mass that is painful to the touch. If left alone, most boils will rupture in approximately two weeks. Every few hours, apply wet, hot compresses to the boil to alleviate discomfort and stimulate bursting. It is not a good idea to squeeze or mash a boit, as this will spread the illness.

Impetigo is another frequent bacterial illness. Impetigo (pronounced "im pih TY goh") is a bacterial skin illness characterised by tiny blisters that develop yellow crusts. Insect bites, wounds, and scrapes are all common ways for the illness to spread and enter the body. Wash the affected areas several times a day, long enough to soak off any crusts. If the condition is more serious, a doctor should be consulted. Internally and at the infection site, medicines are utilised to combat the germs.
A wart is a virus-induced skin development. Teenagers are prone to warts. Warts usually go away on their own after a few months without treatment. A doctor should inspect and cure warts that appear on the face, soles of the feet, or in the genital area.

Fungal infections are skin infections caused by a collection of microorganisms that include yeasts and moulds that cause redness, itching, and peeling. Ringworm and athlete's foot are the two most prevalent fungal skin diseases. Ringworm is named by how it appears, however it is not caused by a worm.
The fungus ringworm creates red, scaly, circular spots. Ringworm can be passed from one person to another or from a pet to a human. It is not a dangerous condition that can be readily addressed. 

Athlete's foot is a fungus that infects the moist area beneath and between the toes, causing irritation and discomfort. The skin becomes red, flaky, and itchy as a result of the fungus. Drying the feet thoroughly, applying an antifungal lotion or ointment, and wearing absorbent cotton socks will all assist to eliminate the infection and prevent it from returning.

Scalp Problems
Dandruff is a term for little flakes of dead skin on the scalp. Dandruff is caused by minor skin disorders, and these flakes develop when the skin cells on the scalp grow extremely quickly. Eczema or psoriasis, for example, but it is typically not a significant condition. Antidandruff shampoos may assist if frequent shampooing and thorough rinsing aren't enough to keep the flaking at bay. If the shampoo fails to work after a few weeks of use, you should consult a dermatologist. 

The condition pediculosis [puh dik yuh LOH sis] occurs when microscopic creatures called lice infest the hair. Lice eat on the scalp, which itches. A rash on the neck is also possible. As illustrated in Figure 2-11, lice deposit their eggs on hair shafts.

The eggs are referred to as nits. The nits, unlike dandruff, are not easily removed. Sharing clothes, combs, and brushes with others can help prevent the spread of pediculosis. If you find lice in your hair, use a fine-toothed comb dampened with vinegar to remove the nits. After that, wash your hair with a medicated shampoo.

Burns
Being in touch with hot items, hot liquids or vapours, or electricity or chemicals can cause burns. Burns wreak havoc on the skin and compromise the body's capacity to fight infections. Blood circulation is also disrupted by burns. Depending on the extent of the injury, burns are classified as first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree burns. Burns that just affect the epidermis and recover without leaving scars are known as first-degree burns. Mild sunburn might be the source of these symptoms. Second-degree burns cause damage to the epidermis and a portion of the dermis, as well as scarring. There's a lot of swelling and blistering going on. Hot liquids, steam, and severe sunburn can all result in second-degree burns.

Third-degree burns damage the tissue beneath the skin and travel through all layers of the skin. The skin might seem white, bright red, or even black. The majority of third-degree burns do not heal on their own. The damaged skin is generally removed and replaced with fresh skin grafts.

Skin Cancer
Skin cancer may come in a variety of forms. Cancer is the uncontrolled development of cells that infiltrate and destroy healthy tissue in the surrounding area. Small pink growths that develop in size and damage surrounding tissues but do not spread to other regions of the body are certain skin malignancies. Other cancers start as a lump that develops into an ulcer, then spreads to other regions of the body. Melanoma is a kind of skin cancer that is quite frequent. Melanomas are swollen, bleeding moles. They can be flat or elevated, and their size varies. Skin cancer of this sort generally spreads throughout the body.

If skin cancer is detected and treated early, it can be cured. It can also be avoided by avoiding excessive sun exposure. Long-term exposure to UV radiation can cause skin cancer. The risk of skin cancer rises with age and the amount of years spent in the sun. 

Protection from the Sun's Harmful Rays 

Your skin produces vitamin D after a little exposure to sunshine. Vitamin D is required for the proper development of bones and teeth. Overexposure to the sun's UV radiation, on the other hand, can harm your skin.

Knowing how much sun you can get without damaging your skin is part of good hygiene.
Depending on your skin type, there are several preparations that protect you from the sun. Number is used to rate these preparations. The higher the number, the more secure the environment. People with fair skin should use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 10. Individuals with darker complexion may be able to get away with a lower grade. When applying sunscreen, be sure to cover the nose, lips, shoulders, and knees, as these areas burn more easily than other parts of the body.

Review of the Lesson
The majority of teens suffer from one or more of the typical skin issues. Many of the negative impacts of these disorders, however, may be mitigated. Personal hygiene, avoidance of infected person's personal items, and quick medical attention if a problem persists can all help lessen the impact of skin issues.