Skin Diseases

This skin is the outer layer of the human body that is soft and elastic. It is the layer that protects the body from many different foreign objects. The skin is designed to help maintain the body temperature of an individual and help in the temperature regulation as well, through activities like sweating or hair standing on end. The skin prevents fluid loss from the body. A lot of fluid is lost in the form of sweat or through evaporation. The skin offers some form of control over this movement of fluid out of the body, allowing the body to retain its moisture. The same applies for the vital nutrients that are found in the tissues of the body. The skin protects this nutrition by acting as a barrier against water.

A skin disease is any condition that has directly infected or affected the skin. It is important to separate skin diseases from other conditions that have symptoms that appear on the skin. These conditions are different and must not be confused with a skin disease. The presentation of a skin disease depends on the type of disease that has affected the skin. Some diseases affect the pigmentation of the skin while others cause skin irritation which may result in boils or rashes on the skin. Vitiligo is an example of a skin disease that affects the pigmentation of the skin. Dermatitis is an example of a condition that causes rashes to appear on the skin.

There are many different types of skin disease that can affect an individual. Generally the classification of the condition can be made based on the source of the condition. The skin could be affected by a bacterial infection or a fungal infection. Other skin conditions may not be infectious but can occur due to deficiencies or excesses in the body. A vitamin deficiency can cause the skin to react in a particular way. Acne is an example of a skin condition that is sometimes caused by hormonal changes in the body which is why one notices that several teenagers suffer from this condition. The diagnosis of a skin condition is usually made by visual examination of the affected skin. A trained dermatologist will usually be able to make this diagnosis. Some conditions may require a small sample of skin to be removed for chemical analysis in a laboratory. Most skin disorders and diseases are treated with ointments and lotions that seek to reduce the severity of the symptoms.