Skin irritation is a common occurrence throughout life. There are so many things that can irritate or cause damage to our skin, which is why it is important to be aware of your body so you can recognize the signs when something is wrong. Something as simple as a new washing powder or skin cream can cause a reaction on our body, so make sure you know what you are putting in contact with your skin. Knowing how to spot the signs of a skin condition is important, so within this article, we will go over a few different skin conditions and discuss their signs and their treatments.
Alopecia
The first skin condition we are going to discuss is alopecia. Alopecia is the general term used for hair loss, which is why you may hear the phrase used for lots of things. The main sign of alopecia, as described by Patient, is sudden, unexplained hair loss. The hair does not necessarily fall out all in one go, but instead, the individual may notice a small bald patch on their head. It is not just the scalp hair though, alopecia can affect any parts of the body that grows hair, so people may experience hair loss from their eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard. Often, the main cause of alopecia is stress, so if you are living a particularly stressful life, then you could potentially develop alopecia. Not only this, iron deficiency and a weaker immune system are both thought to cause hair loss in people.
In terms of treatment, some people choose not to go through any treatment and just wait for the hair to grow back. This method definitely works if the hair loss you have suffered is minimal. A small patch of missing hair will be unnoticeable in different hairstyles, so you can understand why some people choose this route. However, some people may opt for something more serious like steroid injections. Steroid injections can help to stimulate the growth of the hair, so this could be a good option if you have suffered a severe amount of hair loss.
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a fairly common skin condition that is most commonly found in people with weaker immune systems, like children and the elderly, but anyone can get cellulitis at any age. Cellulitis is an infection in the skin, so you must make sure you know the signs so you can get it treated as soon as possible. The first symptoms of cellulitis will be redness and swelling of the skin, which will feel quite hot to the touch. You may also notice that the skin hurts to touch, so try your best to avoid touching in.
As cellulitis is an infection, the treatment for it is a course of antibiotics. If you notice any of the signs of cellulitis, call your doctor right away and book an appointment. They will be able to prescribe you some antibiotics that can fight away the infection. Infections can spread quick if they are not treated, so you really have to keep an eye on your body and seek medical help, should you notice any major changes. While you wait for the antibiotics to take effect, you can apply a cold, wet dressing to the infected area, as this can help to draw out some of the eat and it can also ease the swelling.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a skin condition that is not particularly serious, but it is very contagious. Impetigo can spread from touching someone else’s skin, so you need to be aware of the symptoms, so you can get treatment right away. Impetigo is most commonly found among children, but it can actually affect anyone at any age. The first signs of impetigo are red stored and blisters which can occur anywhere on the body, but especially on the hands, face, and feet. After a short while, the blisters burst and change into crusty skin, which may also appear a little red on lighter skin tones. The blisters have a tendency of popping quite quickly, so you may not even notice them at first. Once the blisters have popped though, the flaky skin will look quite obvious, and it is often said to look like cornflakes as they are golden-brown in color.
As mentioned above, this condition is very contagious, so if you notice any of these symptoms, you must stay inside. Call you doctor right away and explain all the symptoms you are experiencing. Your doctor will likely have a phone consultation with you, and they will let you know what the course of treatment will be. For impetigo, your doctor will prescribe you some antibiotic cream that needs to be applied all over the sores and flaky skin. It would be a good idea to ask someone to pick up the cream for you, so you do not need to leave the house. Make sure that you apply the antibiotic cream as soon as you get it and that you finish the full course of treatment. Using the antibiotic cream as it is intended should clear up the infection within a few days.