Here at Misumi, we're committed to improving the health of your skin overall, instead of just offering specialized solutions. As we’ve mentioned in previous articles, skin care is a vast, complex area.
Everything that has to do with the skin is technically skin care - from sunburns to rashes, and dry skin from excessive dishwashing and dark circles under our eyes, to acne. That is why we're covering an often overlooked area of skincare: the most common skin conditions.
What is a Skin Disorder?
Our skin is our largest organ. It's responsible for a ton of important functions, such as protecting our body from pollutants and bacteria to keeping it warm, and protected, and enabling it to breathe. But, the skin being our largest organ also means that it’s fairly prone to suffering all sorts of skin conditions and disorders, due to infections, inflammation, or diseases. Some skin conditions are fairly mild and temporary, but others can be chronic and sometimes even life-threatening. You can have either mild or severe symptoms.
If you ask a doctor just what, exactly, a skin disorder is, you might find yourself perplexed. They’ll speak of cutaneous conditions, and they’ll talk of something called the “integumentary system.” Don't worry - integumentary is just synonymous with "skin."
Basically, what doctors are trying to get at is that a person's skin is just the external, surface manifestation of this much vaster system of organs referred to as the integumentary system. Our skin is just the visible top of the iceberg. There is much more going on under the surface.
The integumentary system protects the body and contains all skin, hair, nails, certain glands, and even some muscles. The main purpose of the integumentary system is to act as a protective barrier against the environment and the elements.
So, when our skin experiences a permanent, or temporary skin disorder (or a condition), chances are it’s not merely a superficial phenomenon relegated to the skin.
The problem often runs much deeper.
There are many skin disorders caused by genetic factors, or other health conditions, like diseases and so on. When the cause of the skin disorder is genetic, or hormonal, the skin disorder can be permanent. But other times, skin conditions are merely temporary, such as acne - which can be treated with medicated creams, changes in diet, and amazing skincare solutions, such as Misumi's Complete Clear 3-Step System).
Other temporary conditions include certain types of contact dermatitis and irritations or allergies.
The symptoms of skin disorders are sometimes very similar, and it’s difficult to discern. But we're here to help. Let’s take a look at the most commonly seen skin disorders.
1. Acne
Acne is by far the most common skin disorder, affecting almost anyone. While acne is the most prevalent in teenagers and adolescents, adults can have it too. The causes and types of acne are complicated and numerous: from whiteheads and blackheads to painful cysts and subsequent scars, acne is no simple phenomenon.
Acne is caused by blocked skin follicles (or hair follicles). The pores in the skin become blocked with sebum, dirt, dead skin cells, and other nasty debris, which causes spots. If there are bacteria trapped, you might even end up with an infection. Acne can also be caused by hormonal changes.
But just as there are many types of acne (hello there, butt acne), there are many ways to get rid of acne as well. And while there are no real fast solutions, there are tons upon tons of tips, skincare advice, and skincare products that help us deal with acne.
In case you need something extra, be sure to check out our articles on the different treatment options for various acne conditions, from mild to severe:
- Spot Treatment
- Strong Acne Medication Guide
- Home Remedies For a Clean Face
- Skincare Routine Steps Explained
- Why Is Your Skin Acne-Prone and How to Take Care For It
Try the No #1 Skincare Routine for Acne
Misumi's Complete Clear 3-Step System shows that skin care doesn't need to be complex. It's designed especially to treat acne and will treat blemishes, kill acne-causing bacteria, remove dirt and dead skin cells, and reduce redness and inflammation. It's also SPF 30, meaning you're protected against different skin cancers. Try it now!
2. Cold Sores, or Herpes
As you probably know, cold sores (also known as herpes) resemble reddish blisters filled with fluid, that usually form on the face, often close to the mouth. In rare occurrences, cold sores can appear on the fingers, inside the mouth, or near the nose.
These sores are usually painful to the touch and are caused by the Herpes Simplex virus. They’re highly contagious and can be transmitted to other people by kissing or touching.
Sometimes, cold sores can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as a mild fever, a runny nose, swelling, some aches in the body, and similar flu-like symptoms. They're best treated with antiviral ointments or oral antiviral medications such as acyclovir and others. Don't pain if you have one - these are one of the most common skin problems you can get.
3. Blisters
Well, a blister is a… blister. We’ve all seen one, and fluid-filled blisters are one of the most everyday skin disorders, right alongside acne and herpes.
Blisters look like small bubbles made of skin, and they’re usually filled with translucent fluid. Dermatologists characterize blisters as vesicles (if they’re smaller than 1 cm) or bullas (if they’re larger than 1 cm). Blisters can appear anywhere on your body and are caused by a variety of skin conditions (including herpes, eczema, burns, and so on).
Usually a fluid-filled blister will require no treatment - if you leave them alone, they’ll leave you alone too. They can be sore and painful, though, so watch out. It’s recommended to cover painful blisters with a bandaid, to protect them from accidentally bursting and risking infection.
4. Hives, or Urticaria
Also known as urticaria, hives resemble raised bumps or raised welts on the skin. In other words, hives look like chicken skin or goosebumps (but the wrong kind).
Hives can be very itchy, and usually, appear after your skin makes contact with an allergic substance. Hives are usually red and warm to the touch and can feel sore too.
But what to do if you have it? Well, since hives are a symptom of an allergic reaction, your best bet is removing any allergens, taking anti-allergic medications (such as antihistaminics), and washing the area with mild water.
5. Sunspots, or Actinic Keratosis
As we get older, we accumulate more sun exposure, as well as damage by environmental pollution and the elements. All this makes our skin age, sometimes forming rough, scaly skin patches over our face, hands, arms, and so on.
The medical term for these patches is actinic keratosis, but for everyone else, the term is sunspots. Sunspots can be tan, brown, pink, and, in some cases, even gray. Sunspots aren’t alarming, but there's a small likelihood they may progress to skin cancer.
Treating sunspots after they’ve formed is often expensive and complicated, so your best bet is to prevent this skin problem in the first place. Generally, that means using sunscreen whenever possible, even more so because sunscreen can delay aging.
6. Rosacea
Rosacea can look deceivingly similar to acne, or to an ordinary rash. But upon closer inspection, rosacea resembles a red rash made up of hundreds of tiny red pimples, and it usually covers a wider area on your face.
Like acne, rosacea can be chronic too and can appear, then fade away, then reappear again at a later time. Dermatologists warn that alcohol, stress, too much sunlight, or spicy foods can trigger it.
There are four types of rosacea, and each manifests itself and is treated, slightly differently.
7. Eczema
Eczema is easily one of the most persistent, and annoying skin conditions. It can take the form of scaly patches, either white or yellowish in color. It can also turn your skin pink and can be very itchy. But just what is it? Well, nobody knows. Eczema is just a conventional, popular name for an entire class of skin disorders - called atopic dermatitis - that is a bit of a puzzle to scientists.
Unlike topical dermatitis, the “a” in “atopical” means that there is no known cause for eczema. This makes eczema difficult to treat, and what treatments there are usually have to do with soothing the skin and making the itchy areas more bearable.
8. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a tough one because it’s basically a skin disorder and an autoimmune disease in one. Being an autoimmune disorder, psoriasis happens because a person’s own immune system attacks the body instead of protecting it.
There are hundreds of millions of people in the world who live with this skin disease, which manifests as super itchy, scaly patches on the skin. The itching can sometimes be so unbearable that it makes people bruise themselves by scratching.
There are several different types of psoriasis, and it can appear on the elbows, the scalp, the back of the neck, as well as the knees, and the lower back. While there is no cure for psoriasis, there are effective treatments that can soothe this skin disease, make it more bearable, and prevent complications.
9. Cellulitis
In the introductory section, we mentioned that some common skin diseases and disorders can even be life-threatening. Well, this is one of them.
Cellulitis is a (sadly) very common and often painful bacterial infection of the skin. It generally begins as a red swelling on the skin that can feel tender or hot to the touch. However, the swelling and the redness don’t stop there, spreading rapidly. It can sometimes crack and ooze fluids. These symptoms can often first appear on the lower parts of the legs, although it sometimes manifests on the face, the torso (both front and back), or the arms.
From then on, the bacterial infection can spread into the lower tissues of your skin, infecting your bloodstream and internal organs too. Then, fever sets in, which complicates things even further.
Needless to say, this skin disease can be fatal, and it's the very reason cellulitis is considered a medical emergency. If you suspect you’re seeing symptoms of cellulitis, or know someone who does, do not hesitate to call the doctor immediately.
10. Melanoma
Although it’s one of the rarest types of skin cancer, melanoma is definitely one of the most dangerous - and deadliest. What makes it so deadly is that even though it begins as skin cancer, it can spread to other organs in the body and cause their failure as well.
According to Cancer.org, around 91,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma every year, and around 10% (or 9,000 people) die from it. Rates of melanoma are rising, and typical risk factors include constant sun exposure and getting frequent sunburns (especially if they’re severe), using tanning beds, having fair skin, having a family history of melanoma, and having a high number of moles on your body.
People who live in places with more sunlight during the year, such as Hawaii, Florida, Australia, and so on, are at a greater risk of melanoma.
If you suspect you may be at a higher risk from melanoma, or believe you’re experiencing some of the symptoms, talk to your doctor and dermatologist immediately. It's best to get treated early.
11. Lupus
Like psoriasis, lupus is an autoimmune disease as well, and according to the Lupus Foundation of America, it’s a condition that affects more than 1.5 million Americans.
Similarly to psoriasis, lupus involves your immune system going haywire and attacking your own organs and tissues. However, unlike psoriasis, this disease is more severe, as it can damage your blood vessels, kidneys, nervous system, and of course, your skin.
There are several different types of lupus, each type with its own symptoms. Out of those, Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common kind, while Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is the one that affects the skin.
Common symptoms of lupus include headaches, fatigue, swollen joints, fevers, disc-shaped, and scaly rashes that don’t itch or hurt.
12. Contact Dermatitis, Also Known as Topical Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is one of the most common kinds of skin disorders and irritations out there. Unlike some of the other skin disorders on this list, contact dermatitis is usually temporary and impermanent.
It's aptly named - the symptoms only appear after our skin “has made contact” with an irritating substance or an allergen. Unlike skin disorders classified as atopic dermatitis (such as eczema, for example), topical dermatitis has a known cause, but it varies from person to person.
Symptoms include a reddening of the skin, a rash with visible borders that usually appears over the area of skin that touched the allergic substance, then itchiness, flaking, scaly, dry skin, and sometimes even blisters that can ooze or weep liquid and develop crusts. If the reaction is on your face, you may also have watery eyes.
14. Warts
While warts are fairly common, they’re not the most natural disorder affecting our skin. Like moles, warts resemble bumps on our skin and are caused by an infection with the human papillomavirus (also known as HPV).
However, that shouldn’t worry you much, because while warts are pretty ugly and off-putting, they’ve been hanging out with humans for thousands of years. Warts have plagued everyone from Ancient Egyptian mummies, to Shakespeare all the way to the present day (when we have such nice, apt phrases like “warts and all”).
Warts, however, can be painful, and they are definitely contagious. While ordinary warts on your hands and feet (such as athlete's foot) are harmless, when they’re on your genitals, they should give you pause.
Genital warts can lead to all sorts of trouble, not the least of which is cervical cancer. So if you have genital warts, schedule a visit with your doctor and dermatologist as soon as possible.
15. Ringworm, also Known as Jock Itch and Crotch Rot
Don’t let the name fool you - ringworm isn’t caused by a worm, but by a fungus. This fungal infection of the skin (which dermatologists and doctors refer to as dermatophytosis) manifests itself as red patches of itchy skin. Ringworm can appear on the feet, the scalp, the beard, and sometimes the groin or around the genitals. When that’s the case, ringworm is called jock itch, crotch rot, and so on.
Like a lot of fungal infections, ringworm is a temporary skin disorder and fairly easy to treat with medicated cream. If you are dealing with crotch rot (or ringworm, or jock itch, whichever suits your fancy) your best bet is to talk to your doctor specializing in skin conditions.
16. Melasma
Not to be confused with melanoma (a skin cancer), melasma is fairly harmless, although not the most pleasant thing to look at. It usually manifests as discolored, or dark patches on different areas of the skin. While scientists aren’t really sure what the exact cause of melasma is, it can often appear in pregnant women.
Becuase of this, it's alternatively called, “the mask of pregnancy.” Melasma is more common in women, although men aren’t immune to it either. However, the discrepancy is vast, since according to the American Academy of Dermatology, around 90% of people with melasma are women.
Melasma typically occurs on the sides of the face, and the marks are usually symmetrical, resembling a mask. Additionally, melasma can affect the neck, arms, or even the chest. Usually, melasma disappears on its own, but it can take a while to do so - most people see it go away in a year or so.
17. Keratosis Pilaris
Similar to actinic keratosis, keratosis pilaris is a temporary skin disorder, much like contact dermatitis. The appearance of keratosis pilaris resembles “chicken skin”, taking the form of hundreds, and sometimes even thousands of small bumps on the skin.
Keratosis pilaris often appears on the cheeks, the thighs or the upper arms. The bumps are usually red but not itchy. There's no known treatment for keratosis pilaris, but certain topical medications and ointments can alleviate the condition and improve the skin’s appearance.
If you suspect you’re dealing with this type of skin disorder, as always, we recommend that you consult with your doctor and dermatologist.
Preventing Skin Disorders
Good hygiene is necessary for preventing skin conditions. However, some skin disorders, (such as infectious ones like smallpox), will need you to be vaccinated as well.
But for the rest, maintaining good hygiene and proper skin care will do. Here are some of the best tips on how to prevent non-infectious skin disorders, such as eczema, acne, contact dermatitis, and so on:
- If you’re dealing with severe weather, whether heat or cold, make sure you always protect your skin from the elements. Areas exposed are more likely to suffer skin conditions.
- Make it a habit to wash your face at least twice a day (in the morning and before going to bed). Good hygiene will help fight off skin problems.
- After washing your face, apply some cleanser for additional hygiene.
- Never skip moisturizers. Moisturizers are good, and they won't harm your skin (provided you follow the instructions, of course). If you have dry patches, add more to the affected areas.
- If you’re allergic to certain foods, or environmental allergens and irritants, try your best to avoid direct contact with them.
- Avoid coming into contact with harsh chemicals, detergents, and even household dust. If you need to clean around the house, always use protective gloves. If you develop a typically red itchy rash, an irritated lump, or something else that doesn't subside, see a doctor.
- Don't underestimate lifestyle factors. Getting enough sleep is important - it’s when our body repairs itself. Try to sleep for at least 7, or 8 hours each night.
- Keep yourself hydrated. You can achieve that by drinking plenty of water, or, alternatively, drinking tea or eating juicy fruits and vegetables.
- Try to follow a healthy diet to the best of your ability. Healthy diets, when combined with a healthy lifestyle, will improve our immune systems, and soothe auto-immune and allergic reactions.
- If you think you may have a skin disease or condition, speak to a doctor.
Summing It Up
Skincare is so much more than just applying cream before going to bed - it’s a lifestyle. From dealing with a pimple here or there to tackling the most severe skin disorders, Misumi Skincare is at your service. Every journey is better with friends along the way, and when it comes to all things skincare, we're your best friends. Have a good day.
References
The 10 Most Common Skin Conditions
Common skin diseases and conditions
This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances, and its goal is to offer a general view of the subject. In case you are suffering from a severe case of acne, you should consult with a dermatologist or a certified medical professional.
