There are many conditions affecting the skin, hair, nails and the below identifies just a few of the more commonly known ones.
Acne is a skin inflammation resulting from the over activity of oil glands at the base of hair follicles. These glands, located beneath the surface of the skin, produce and secrete oil through openings in the skin. When the secretion is blocked, the oil builds up beneath the skin’s surface.
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation. Symptoms typically include thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches called scales. Skin Cells continuously grow deep in the skin to replace dead skin cells.
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is an inflammation of the skin in which tiny blister-like raised areas arise, reddening and swelling develops, followed by bumps and crusting of the skin. Eventually there is a thickening and scaling of the skin which results in an itching and burning sensation.
Rosacea, which often runs in families and affects the face, is a skin condition associated with fair-skinned people, 30-50 years old, who tend to blush or flush frequently. Red patches appear on the face and can remain for days at a time and pimples and small veins can develop on their nose and cheeks.
Shingles is caused by the herpes zoster virus (also known as the varicella zoster virus), the same one that causes chicken pox. Shingles, while looking like chicken pox- a rash consisting of blisters- affects one side of the body rather than all over. While chicken pox is characterized by itching, the major symptom of shingles is pain. Other symptoms include numbness, itching, tingling, burning or shooting pain on one side of the body or face.
Actinic Keratosis (solar keratosis) is a precancerous lesion of the outer layer of the skin caused by excessive exposure to sunlight. The affected area of the skin may become scaly, rough, discolored and tender to the touch. People with fair-skin and light-colored hair and eyes are more susceptible to this skin condition.
Dandruff is a common chronic scalp condition marked by itching and flaking of the skin on your scalp. Although dandruff isn’t contagious and is rarely serious, it can be embarrassing and sometimes difficult to treat.
Warts are harmless skin growths caused by a virus. They may grow on any part of the body and their appearance depends on their location.
Vitiligo is a common skin disorder in which white spots appear on the skin usually occurring on both sides of the body in the same location.
Herpes simplex is commonly referred to as cold sores or fever blisters. It is a viral infection of the skin that may occur once or return repeatedly.
