Skin Conditions and Disorders
Knowledge of the structure and functions of skin and the integumentary system generally is included in training for many therapies, such as massage, aromatherapy, acupuncture, shiatsu and others. This page is intended for students of introductory level courses in such
therapies e.g. some ITEC Diplomas.
This page is divided into the
following sections:
- Congenital Skin Condition
- Bacterial Skin Conditions
- Viral Skin Conditions
- Fungal Skin Conditions
1. Congenital Skin Conditions
Eczema
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A common skin condition
characterized by reddening
(erythema) and vesicle
formation, which may lead
to weeping and crusting.
It is endogenous, or 'constitutional'.
This means that outside agents do not play a primary role. (Contrast this with dermatitis, in which case outside agents DO play a primary role.) However in some contexts the terms 'dermatitis' and 'eczema' are used interchangeably to refer to the symptoms of these skin conditions.
There are five main types of eczema:
- Atopic Eczema, which is associated with asthma and hay fever.
- Seborrhoeic Eczema (or Dermatitis), typically affecting the scalp, eyelids, nose, and lips. this is associated with the presence of Pityrosporum yeasts and is common among AIDS patients.
- Discoid (or Nummular) Eczema, characterized by coin-shaped lesions and only occuring in adults.
- Pompholyx, affecting only the hands and feet.
- Gravitational (or Stasis) Eczema, associated with poor venous circulation
(sometimes referred to as 'Varicose Eczema').
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Psoriasis |
A chronic skin
disease in which scaly pink
patches form on the elbows,
knees, scalp, and other parts
of the body. Psorisis is one
of the commonest skin diseases
in Britain, affecting about
2% of the population (cause
unknown).
This disorder often runs in
families, the commonest time
of onset being in adolesence. It sometimes occurs in association
with arthritis. Occasionally
the disease may be very severe,
affecting much of the skin and
causing considerable disability
in the patient. While psychological
stress might make psorisis worse,
the only significant event thought
to precipitate this condition
is a preceeding streptococcal infection. |
Dermatitis |
An inflammatory
condition of the skin
caused by outside agents.
(Contrast this with eczema,
an endogenous disease
in which outside agents
do NOT play a primary
role).
- Primary
irritant dermatitis may occur in anyone
who has sufficient
contact with irritants
such as acids, alkalis,
solvents and (especially)
detergents.
- Primary
irritant dermatitis
is the commonest
cause of occupational
dermatitis in
hairdressers, nurses,
cooks etc..
- In
the case of allergic
contact dermatitis skin changes resembling
those of eczema
develop as a delayed
reaction to contact
with a particular
allergen which
might only have been present at
low concentrations.
- The
commonest example
of allergic contact
dermatitis in women
is nickel dermatitis due to the metal
nickel used in jewellery,
jeans studs etc,
whereas
- In
men chromium
dermatitis is
relatively common.
Treatment of dermatitis
depends on removing
the cause, which
is not always possible.
- Dermititis
herpetiformis is an uncommon very
itchy rash with
symmetrical blistering,
especially on the
knees, elbows, buttocks
and shoulders. It
is related to sensitivity
to gluten.
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2. Bacterial Skin Conditions
Acne vulgaris
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A common inflammatory
condition of the sebaceous
glands. These grease-producing
glands are under androgen
control, but the cause
of acne is unknown. It
involves the face, back
and chest and is characterized
by the presence of blackheads
with papules, pustules
- and in more severe cases
- cysts and scars.
Acne (acne vulgaris) is readily treatable. |
Impetigo |
A superficial bacterial infection of the skin. There are two types of impetigo:
- Nonbullous
impetigo is caused by Staphylococcus
aureus, Streptococcus
species, or both organisms.
It mainly affects young children
and is highly contagious, with
yellowish-brown crusting.
- Bullous impetigo is caused by Staphylococcus
aureus. It is characterized
by blisters, is less contagious
than the nonbullous form, and
occurs at any age.
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Acne Rosacea |
A chronic inflammatory disease of the face in which the skin becomes abnormally flushed. At times it may become pustular and there may be associated keratitis (inflammation of the cornea of the eye).
The disease occurs in both sexes and at all ages but is most common in women in their thirties.
The cause of acne rosacea is unknown. |
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3. Viral Skin Conditions
Warts
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A wart is a benign growth on the skin caused by an infection with 'human papillomavirus'.
(However, a few of the many types of this virus are known to be a causal factors in the production of tumours, which is why some people say that it is a good idea to haveany new or unknown growths on the skin checked by an appropriately qualified person.)
- Common Warts firm horny papules (1-10mm in diameter) usually located
on the backs
of the hands.
Most will
clear spontaneously
within two
years.
- Plantar
warts (or verrucae)
can occur
on the soles
of the feet
and are
often tender
and especially
sensitive
to pressure.
- Plane
warts are flat,
skin coloured,
and therefore
difficult
to see.
They are
usually
located
on the face
and may
be present
in very
large numbers.
- Genital
warts are frequently
associated
with other
genital
infections.
Infected
women have
an increased
risk of
developing
cervical
cancer.
|
Verrucas |
Also known as 'Plantar Warts'. |
Herpes |
Inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes at is caused by herpes viruses and characterized by collections of small blisters.
There are two types of herpes. |
Herpes simplex |
There are two types
of Herpes simplex (HSV):
- Type I causes the common cold sore , which is usually present on or around the lips.
- Type II is mainly associated with genital herpes and is sexually transmitted.
Types I and I can both cause either genital herpes or cold sores, depending on the site of initial infection. HSV blisters are contagious through skin-to-skin contact and are recurrent in some people. HSV can also affect the conjunctiva. |
Herpes zoster |
Also
known as 'Shingles', Herpes zoster is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. Following an attack of chickenpox, the virus lays dormant in the dorsal root ganglia
of the spinal cord.
Later, due to one of various possible stimuli, the virus might move down the sensory nerve to affect one or more dermatones on the skin in a band, causing the characteristic singles rash. One side of the face or eye (ophthalmic zoster) may be involved. Shingles may be chronically painfully (post-herpetic neuralgia), especially in the elderly. |
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4. Fungal Skin Conditions
Tinea corporis, manus, pedis
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Also known as "Ringworm", this is a fungal infection that can affect the skin, the scalp, or the nails.
Ringworm is caused by the dermatophyte fungi - species of Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton. It also affects non-human animals, which may be a source of infection for people. It can be spread by direct contact or via infected materials. The lesions of ringworm may be ringlike and may cause intense itching.
- Tinea pedis (Athelete's Foot) is the most common form of ringworm. It affects the skin between the toes.
- Tinea capitis is another common form of ringworm and affects the scalp.
- Tinea cruris is the form of ringworm that affects the groin and thighs.
- Tinea barbae is the form of ringworm that affects the skin under a beard.
Ringworm is often treated with anti-fungal agents, which may either be taken by mouth (orally), or applied locally. |
Verrucas |
Plantar Warts - see above. |
Folliculitis |
Inflammation
of the hair follicles
in the skin, commonly
caused by infection.
Folliculitis may be caused
by Pityrosporum yeasts. |
Boils |
Tender
inflamed areas of skin
that contain pus.
The infection is usually
caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus entering through a hair
follicle or a break in
the skin. Local injury
or lowered constitutional
resistance may encourage
the development of boils. These usually heal when
the pus is released, or
with antibiotic treatment
(though occasionally the
latter may cause more
widespread infection).
The medical name for a
'boil' is a
furuncle. |
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This page only includes the most common skin conditions that are typically included in first-level exam courses.
See also skin pigmentation conditions, skin lesions, the structure of skin, functions of skin and skin glands.