7 Common Skin Conditions to watch out for

If you’ve got a rash that refuses to go away, it could be any of these common skin conditions! Keep reading to find out.

Everyone suffers from a skin rash at some point in their lives. These curable rashes can come and go with the seasons. However, if you suffer from rashes that don’t go away easily, you could have any one of the following common skin conditions.

1. Atopic Eczema

One of the most common skin diseases is atopic eczema. It is also known as atopic dermatitis. This condition results in a skin rash that that make your skin look red, dry, itchy and cracked. Atopic dermatitis is a long-term skin ailment, though it can improve with continued treatment. Children often grow out of it.

How is it treated?

Doctors may prescribe medicinal moisturizers as well as creams with steroids.

2. Cold sores

Cold sores are most often related to herpes. The term refers to small blisters that occur around the mouth or lips. The problem may begin with a sense of tingling, burning, or itching around the mouth. After this, a blister filled with fluid appears. Do not scratch the sores as it will only prolong the healing time.

How is it treated?

Generally, cold sores heal without any intervention. They may take anywhere between 7–10 days to clear up. However, if you want to speed the treatment up, you can use OTC creams. Be sure to get antiviral creams, not an antibiotic cream for skin infection. This is because herpes is a viral condition.

3. Hives

Hives are common skin conditions that can occur all over one’s body. Hives have many names including nettle rash, welts and weal. These raised bumps on your skin are very itchy but not pus-filled. However, you can draw blood if you scratch too hard. This can lead to scarring and infection.

How is it treated?

Hives generally clear up within a few days. However, depending on the reason behind their occurrence, doctors may prescribe antihistamines. If your hives do not clear on their own, you should consult a dermatologist.

To prevent hives, make a note of known allergens and make it a point to avoid contact with them.

4. Impetigo

Infectious skin diseases are diseases that can spread from one person to another through air, touch or contaminated water. Impetigo is an example of contagious skin disease. This disease is very common in children and infants. It presents as a red rash around the mouth and nose, however certain types of impetigo occur on the body too. This skin rash is filled with pus and forms a yellow-brown crust when it ruptures. The sores can ooze pus for a few days.

How is it treated?

Doctors generally prescribe antibiotic creams for skin infections. However, they can also prescribe antibiotic tablets that kill bacteria. If your child has impetigo, schedule a consultation with a dermatologist on MediBuddy for an effective treatment plan.

5. Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin disease that results in a red skin rash. Typically, this rash is covered in silver scales. Sometimes, the condition can lead to minor irritations on the skin. At other times, the symptoms can be very severe. The rash can occur anywhere like the lower back, elbows, knees, or scalp. It can make the skin very sore and itchy.

How is it treated?

Psoriasis has no cure. However, certain ointments for skin disease can make the condition a little more manageable. Some doctors also prescribe phototherapy to make the symptoms less severe. Oral and topical medications can be used too.

6. Ringworm

Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection that typically occurs on the groin, arms or legs. However, it can appear anywhere. It leads to a ring-shaped skin rash that is red and scaly. Ringworm is one of the common skin conditions to occur in children. However, this problem can occur in adults too.

How is it treated?

Antifungal creams, ointments, and tablets are used to treat this problem.

7. Scabies

Scabies is a common problem in children. It occurs when mites burrow their way into one’s skin and lay their eggs there. It causes itching and can make the skin look red and silvery. The itching can be particularly severe at night. A scabies skin rash typically occurs between the fingers and can then spread all over the body.

How is it treated?

Scabies is treated with the help of a cream or lotion that kills the mites. A pharmacist can help you get an OTC lotion for the same. As this is a very infectious skin condition, everyone who has come into contact with the patient must be treated, even if the rash hasn’t appeared. This is because it can take close to 8 weeks for the rash to start. It is better to kill the eggs immediately rather than waiting for the baby mites to hatch and devour your skin.

Conclusion

A skin rash can indicate many common skin conditions so diagnosing yourself is never helpful. Visit a dermatologist on MediBuddy and find out what is wrong with your skin instead!