Impetigo is a contagious bacterial infection of the skin ...



Skin Diseases and Conditions

1. Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the skin, characterized by tiny blisters with clear, yellow fluid discharge.

|Symptoms of Impetigo: |[pic] |

|Tiny blisters that rupture easily | |

|Clear, yellow fluid discharge from the rupture | |

|Yellow-colored crust from the dried discharge | |

|Scabs | |

|Itching or burning sensation | |

|Impetigo (pronounced im-puh-TIE-go) is a superficial skin infection, caused by| |

|Staphylococcus ("staph") and Streptococcus ("strep") bacteria. Impetigo is | |

|more common in children than in adults. | |

Impetigo blisters occur most commonly on the face, scalp, arms and legs, especially near cuts, scratches, or insect bites on the skin.

Impetigo is very contagious and can be easily spread to other parts of the body or another person by direct contact or shared clothing or towels.

To avoid scarring, blisters should not be scratched or picked.

Who Gets It?

This condition affects mostly young children, although it may also occur in adults. Adult impetigo cases are usually accompanied by other skin disorders, such as eczema.

Prevention of Impetigo:

▪ Avoid direct skin to skin contact with infected person

▪ Do not share towels, washcloths, or clothing with an infected person

▪ Wash your hands often with antimicrobial soap

▪ Gently wash blisters with antimicrobial soap several times a day

Treatments of Impetigo?

Your doctor may prescribe:

▪ Oral antibiotics

Usually a 10-day course of penicillin, cephalexin, or erythromycin.

▪ Topical antibiotics, such as mupirocin.



2. Vitiligo or leukoderma is an irregular patch of white caused by the loss of melanocytes or melanin pigment producing cells.

In a similar condition called chemical leukoderma, phenol chemicals commonly found in industrial cleansers and solvents cause depigmentation when applied to the skin.

|How is it Pronounced? |[pic] |

|Veet-tel-I-go (rhymes with "little-I-go"). | |

|The word vitiligo is derived from the Latin viti meaning "blemish" and | |

|ligo meaning "to cause". | |

|Symptoms of Vitiligo | |

|The symptoms of vitiligo are: | |

|Irregularly shaped white patches | |

|Body hair turning white in the areas | |

|One or many patches on the body | |

|Although it can occur on any part of the body, vitiligo most often | |

|occurs on: | |

|Face | |

|Neck | |

|Arms | |

|Hands | |

|Underarms | |

|Feet | |

|Genitals | |

This condition is progressive - the patches usually becomes larger in size and more numerous. They may gradually spread to other parts of the body.

Causes of Vitiligo?

The exact cause is not known. It is thought, however, it is a form of autoimmune disorder, where the body's immune system mistakenly recognize the melanocytes as foreign cells and destroy them.

Vitiligo is thought to be triggered and made worse by:

▪ Stress

▪ Injury

▪ Sunburn

Who Gets Vitiligo?

It is thought that this skin condition is a genetic or inherited condition. Although most people with vitiligo are perfectly healthy, they often have higher risk of developing:

▪ Thyroid disease

▪ Anemia

▪ Diabetes

Is it Contagious?

No, vitiligo is not contagious.

Treatment of Vitiligo

Self-treatment for vitiligo is limited to:

▪ Using cosmetics to "cover and hide" the white patches

▪ Avoiding suntanning on normal skin

Remember that the white areas do not have any pigments and therefore are particularly prone to sunburn and sun-damage. Use lotion with high SPF (sun protection factor) of 45 or higher.

Medical treatments for vitiligo are:

▪ Psoralen photochemotherapy

This is a light therapy using ultraviolet A (UVA) combined with psoralen - a medication that causes the skin to become more sensitive to UVA. This procedure is done at your doctor's office several times a week for many months.

▪ Steroid cream

When caught early, steroid creams may bring color and pigment back to the area after about 6 months.

Depigmentation

In people with more depigmented areas than normal, a chemical depigmentation process can be done to achieve a more uniform skin color. (Did this happen to Michael Jackson?)





Here, monobenzylether hydroquinone chemical is used to permanently remove pigment from normal areas of the skin.

Note that the treatments above often have low and varied success rate.

3. Keloids

A keloid is an itchy, hard, raised, lump on the skin. It is the result of an overproduction of scar tissue. Keloids occur at the site of a skin injury. The injury can be a result from severe acne, a burn, an operation, a vaccination or a minor scratch.

Keloids are harmless. Sometimes they stop growing or disappear without treatment.

Keloid is also called keloid skin and hypertrophic scarring. They occur on darker skin much more often than on lighter skin.

What Causes Keloids?

The cause of keloids is unknown. Researchers believe that keloids are caused by the body's failure to turn off the healing process needed to repair skin.

What does a Keloid look like?

Keloid are shiny and is often dome-shaped. The color ranges from slightly pink to red to medium brown to dark brown.

What part of the body do Keloids occur?

Keloids can occur on any part of the body. They are most commonly located on the chest, upper back, and shoulders.

Symptoms of Keloids?

The major sign is a flesh or lighter colored nodular or ridged growths over scars on the skin.

Treatment Options?

Small keloids can be removed by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. Surgical removal is not recommended because it can cause additional keloids. Injection of corticosteroid drugs directly into the keloid will reduce itching.



4. Moles are growths on the skin that are usually brown or black. Moles can appear anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups.

Most moles appear in early childhood and during the first 20 years of a person's life. Some moles may not appear until later in life. It is normal to have between 10-40 moles by adulthood.

As the years pass, moles usually change slowly, becoming raised and/or changing color. Often, hairs develop on the mole. Some moles may not change at all, while others may slowly disappear over time.

What Causes a Mole?

Moles occur when pigmented cells in the skin grow in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. These cells are called melanocytes, and they make the pigment that gives skin its natural color. Moles may darken after exposure to the sun, during the teen years, and during pregnancy.



Types of Moles

Congenital nevi are moles that appear at birth. Congenital nevi occur in about one in 100 people. These moles may be more likely to develop into melanoma (cancer) than are moles that appear after birth. If the mole is more than eight inches in diameter, it poses a significant risk of becoming cancerous.

Dysplastic nevi are moles that are larger than average (larger than a pencil eraser) and irregular in shape. They tend to have uneven color with dark brown centers and lighter, uneven edges. These moles tend to be hereditary (passed on from parent to child through genes). People with dysplastic nevi may have more than 100 moles and have a greater chance of developing melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. Any changes in a mole should be checked by a dermatologist to detect skin cancer.

How Do I Know if a Mole Is Cancer?

Most moles are not dangerous. The only moles that are of medical concern are those that look different than other existing moles or those that first appear after age 20. If you notice changes in a mole's color, height, size or shape, you should have a dermatologist (skin doctor) evaluate it. You also should have moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch, appear scaly, or become tender or painful.

Examine your skin with a mirror or ask someone to help you. Pay special attention to areas of your skin that are often exposed to the sun, such as the hands, arms, chest, neck, face, and ears.

If your moles do not change over time, there is little reason for concern. If you see any signs of change in an existing mole, if you have a new mole, or if you want a mole to be removed for cosmetic reasons, talk to your dermatologist.

***Know this*** The following ABCDEs are important characteristics to consider when examining your moles. If a mole displays any of the signs listed below, have it checked immediately by a dermatologist. It could be cancerous.

• Asymmetry. One half of the mole does not match the other half.

• Border. The border or edges of the mole are ragged, blurred, or irregular.

• Color. The color of the mole is not the same throughout or has shades of tan, brown, black, blue, white, or red.

• Diameter. The diameter of a mole is larger than the eraser of a pencil.

• Elevation. A portion of the mole appears elevated, or raised from the skin.

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer. The most common location for melanoma in men is the back and in women, it is the lower leg. Melanoma is the most common cancer in women ages 25 to 29.





How Are Moles Treated?

If a dermatologist believes a mole needs to be evaluated further or removed entirely, he or she will either remove the entire mole, or first take just a small tissue sample of the mole to examine thin sections of the tissue under a microscope (a biopsy). This is a simple procedure. (If the dermatologist thinks the mole might be cancerous, cutting through the mole will not cause the cancer to spread.)

If the mole is found to be cancerous, and only a small section of tissue was taken, the dermatologist will remove the entire mole by cutting out the entire mole and a rim of normal skin around it, and stitching the wound closed.

5. Skin Tag

A skin tag is a small flap of tissue that hangs off the skin by a connecting stalk. Skin tags are not dangerous. They are usually found on the neck, chest, back, armpits, under the breasts, or in the groin area. Skin tags appear most often in women, especially with weight gain, and in elderly people.

Skin tags usually don't cause any pain. However, they can become irritated if anything, such as clothing or jewelry, rubs on them.

How Are Skin Tags Treated?

Your dermatologist can remove a skin tag by cutting it off with a scalpel or scissors, with cryotherapy (freezing it off), or with electrosurgery (burning it off with an electric current).



6. Lentigo

A lentigo (pronounced len-ti´go; plural: lentigines, pronounced len-TIJ-i-nez), is a spot on the skin that is darker (usually brown) than the surrounding skin. Lentigines are more common among whites, especially those with fair skin. Some people call them age or liver spots instead of sun spots.

What Causes Lentigines?

Exposure to the sun seems to be the major cause of lentigines. Lentigines most often appear on parts of the body that get the most sun, including the face and hands. Some lentigines may be caused by genetics (family history) or by medical procedures such as radiation therapy.

How Are Lentigines Treated?

• Cryotherapy (freezing it off)

• Laser surgery

• Creams that are applied to the skin. These include retinoids and bleaching agents.

Can Lentigines Be Prevented?

The best way to prevent lentigines is to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Use sunscreen when outdoors, and avoid using a tanning bed.



7. Freckles

Freckles are small brown spots usually found on the face and arms. Freckles are extremely common and are not a health threat. They are more often seen in the summer, especially among lighter-skinned people and people with light or red hair.

What Causes Freckles?

Causes of freckles include genetics and exposure to the sun.

Do Freckles Need to Be Treated?

Since freckles are almost always harmless, there really is no need to treat them. As with many skin conditions, it's best to avoid the sun as much as possible, or use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. This is especially important because people who freckle easily (for example, lighter-skinned people) are more likely to develop skin cancer.

If you feel that your freckles are a problem or you don't like the way they look, you can cover them up with makeup or consider certain types of laser treatment.



8. Seborrhea, or dandruff, is a skin condition that is characterized by greasy or dry, white flaking scales over reddish patches on the skin. The areas may itch, but they are usually painless unless an infection occurs.





The cause of seborrhea is not fully understood. A number of factors, such as hormones and stress, are associated with seborrhea. Seborrhea tends to run in families. It is not contagious. A yeast-like organism plays an important role in this condition and may make it worse.

Seborrhea can affect anyone, from infants to the elderly. It is more common in children under 3 months of age and in adults from 30 to 60 years of age. Men are affected more often than women. It is more commonly seen in winter and early spring, with fewer cases during the summer. It is often found in patients with Parkinson's disease or AIDS.

Seborrhea occurs in various forms:

• In infants it is known as "cradle cap." This appears as oily, yellowish scales or crusts on the scalp, or behind the ears or on the eyebrows. It is usually not itchy or uncomfortable. Cradle cap is typically worse in the first year and disappears on its own.

• In older children and adults, seborrhea of the scalp is known as "dandruff" and produces white, dry flakes. Seborrhea is commonly found in the folds of the skin, such as under the arms or breasts, in the groin or buttocks, around the navel, and behind the ears. The face, forehead, eyebrows, eyelids, and middle of the chest can also be affected. Some people experience an itchy, burning sensation, while others have no discomfort.

• When skin inflammation occurs, it is called seborrheic dermatitis. This more severe form has thick, oily, yellowish-brown crusts with severe inflammation, redness, scaling, and itching. Seborrheic dermatitis is more common in people with acne or oily skin or hair. In some patients, flare-ups can be triggered by stress. Seborrheic dermatitis tends to be a chronic condition. It may lead to psoriasis in some patients. A severe, explosive case of seborrheic dermatitis should be evaluated by a healthcare provider, since it may be linked to a more serious disease, such as HIV or AIDS.

9. Seborrheic Keratoses

Seborrheic keratoses are brown or black growths usually found on the chest and back, as well as on the head. They originate from cells called keratinocytes. As they develop, seborrheic keratoses take on a warty appearance. They do not lead to skin cancer.

What Causes Seborrheic Keratoses?

The cause of seborrheic keratoses is unknown. They are seen more often as people get older.

How Are Seborrheic Keratoses Treated?

Seborrheic keratoses are benign (not harmful) and are not contagious. Therefore, they don't need to be treated.

If you decide to have seborrheic keratoses removed because you don't like the way they look, or because they are chronically irritated by clothing, methods for removing them include cutting them off, cryotherapy, and electrosurgery.



10. Eczema is a chronic recurring intensely itchy inflammation of the skin usually starting in early childhood. It is known as atopic eczema as well as atopic dermatitis.

Who Is Affected By Eczema?

Eczema affects probably 10-15% of the population and is becoming more common for reasons that are not well understood. The frequency is variable throughout the world. Eczema is easily recognized by the dermatologist. Three quarters of the time, eczema presents itself in the first six months of life. The condition waxes and wanes over the years with frequent flare-ups. There are no specific tests available to confirm the diagnosis. The majority of cases have an increase in the serum IgE level which is a sign of increased immunological activity during many allergic reactions.

What Does The Word Eczema Mean?

In Greek eczema means to “boil over” and this refers to the weeping stage of acute eczema. Eczema, hay fever and asthma are grouped together in a complex known as atopy. The cause of eczema is not entirely understood. Genetic, immunological as well as skin barrier defects are important factors. External factors often influence the condition. The barrier function of the skin is less effective which allows more water loss from the skin. An increase in skin bacterial infections especially by Staphylococcus aureus can be seen.

Is It Contagious?

Eczema is not contagious, so there's no need to keep a baby or child who has it away from siblings, other children, or anyone else.

Can It Be Prevented?

Scientists believe that eczema is inherited, so there's no way to prevent the condition. However, because specific triggers may tend to make it worse, flare-ups can be prevented or improved by avoiding possible triggers such as:

• pollen

• mold

• dust

• animal dander

• dry winter air with little moisture

• allowing the skin to become too dry

• certain harsh soaps and detergents

• certain fabrics (such as wool or coarsely woven materials)

• certain skin care products, perfumes, and colognes (particularly those that contain alcohol)

• tobacco smoke

• some foods (Which foods may be eczema triggers depends on the person, but dairy products and acidic foods like tomatoes seem to be common culprits.)

• emotional stress

• excessive heat

• sweating



11. Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition. Psoriasis is a chronic, meaning lifelong, condition because there is currently no cure. People often experience flares and remissions throughout their life. Controlling the signs and symptoms typically requires lifelong therapy.

Treatment depends on the severity and type of psoriasis. Some psoriasis is so mild that the person is unaware of the condition. A few develop such severe psoriasis that lesions cover most of the body and hospitalization is required. These represent the extremes. Most cases of psoriasis fall somewhere in between. Between 10% and 30% of people who develop psoriasis get a related form of arthritis called “psoriatic arthritis,” which causes inflammation of the joints.

Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. About 80% of people who develop psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, which appears as patches of raised, reddish skin covered by silvery-white scale. These patches, or plaques, frequently form on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp. However, the plaques can occur anywhere on the body.

The other types are guttate psoriasis (small, red spots on the skin), pustular psoriasis (white pustules surrounded by red skin), inverse psoriasis (smooth, red lesions form in skin folds), and erythrodermic psoriasis (widespread redness, severe itching, and pain).

Regardless of type, psoriasis usually causes discomfort. The skin often itches, and it may crack and bleed. In severe cases, the itching and discomfort may keep a person awake at night, and the pain can make everyday tasks difficult.

Researchers now believe that psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition. This means the condition is caused by faulty signals in the body’s immune system. It is believed that psoriasis develops when the immune system tells the body to over-react and accelerate the growth of skin cells. Normally, skin cells mature and are shed from the skin’s surface every 28 to 30 days. When psoriasis develops, the skin cells mature in 3 to 6 days and move to the skin surface. Instead of being shed, the skin cells pile up, causing the visible lesions.

Genes. Researchers have identified genes that cause psoriasis. These genes determine how a person’s immune system reacts. These genes can cause psoriasis or another immune-mediated condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes. The risk of developing psoriasis or another immune-mediated condition, especially diabetes or Crohn’s disease, increases when a close blood relative has psoriasis.



[pic][pic]

[pic]

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download