Top 10 Skin Disorders a Dermatologist Encounters
Although most people don’t think of it as an organ, skin is, in fact, the biggest organ we have. As such, it requires a lot of our attention and care. Sometimes, even with proper skin care, multiple skin disorders occur on our skin. Some of those conditions are minor while others require professional medical help.
Many people fail to visit their dermatologist on a regular basis or decide to ask for help only when their condition becomes serious. Some, on the other hand, believe that their skin disorder isn’t serious enough and that it doesn’t require any help.
The truth is that all skin conditions can and should be managed; a good dermatologist can accurately diagnose and treat various skin disorders.
We present you the top 10 skin disorders that dermatologists encounter:
1. Acne (Acne vulgaris)
Acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States. We usually associate the problem of acne with teenagers; however, more and more adults suffer from acne as well. A lot of people believe that acne will come and go and that there’s no need to stress over it. While this might be true for a small percentage of people, it usually isn’t for the majority.
Acne is usually located on the face, chest, neck, upper back, and shoulders. Breakouts can appear in the form of pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, or painful nodules and cysts. If left untreated, or treated poorly, acne can leave scars or dark spots on the skin.
Both teenagers and adults with acne can benefit from medical dermatology. Even if we think that our acne isn’t serious, there’s no need to put up with it. With some professional help, we can have clear skin much faster.
2. Hives (Urticaria)
Red, raised, itchy areas we notice on our skin are hives. Bug stings or bites, certain medication, or food can cause hives. Even though they usually disappear in two to four hours, hives can persist for months or even years in some cases. If they cover a large area of our skin or affect our breathing, hives need to be checked by a dermatologist right away.
Avoiding the thing which triggers our hives is the best prevention. However, when that isn’t possible, dermatologists can prescribe medication which will control the itching. Even chronic urticaria can be managed with proper treatment.
3. Sunburn
When it comes to sunburn, we always say that it’s much better to prevent it than to cure it. When we expose our skin to too much ultraviolet light, either from the sun or sunlamps, our skin becomes red, hot and painful to the touch, and it can sometimes even peel away. It’s indeed difficult to determine how much time in the sun is safe, even when we put on sunscreen protection.
Most people know that they should get out of the sun and let their skin cool. A shower and a light, oil-free moisturizer should help relieve the burns. When our sunburn is more serious, a topical product which contains lidocaine might be needed. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug can help with swelling and pain.
If a fever, blisters, or chills accompany the sunburn, we should definitely see a dermatologist. It’s also essential that we don’t scratch our blisters; that could cause an infection.
4. Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic disease which makes our face swell, causes redness, prominent blood vessels, and pimples. It’s most frequently seen in women over 30, but men can suffer from it too. Various environmental factors, problems with veins or the immune system can trigger rosacea.
There is a number of effective treatments for rosacea; in order to choose the best one for ourselves, we should see a dermatologist. Our symptoms will determine which type of treatment will work best for our rosacea.
5. Eczema
Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is most common in children, though adults experience it too. The exact cause isn’t known, but scientists believe that the immune system, genetics, and/or the environment may affect the disease.
Eczema usually appears on the face, feet, hands, or in the places where our skin folds and creases. Flaky, dry, and itchy skin are the most common symptoms. Excessive scratching may lead to a thickened area. In some cases, we can experience hair loss in the area where the rash appears.
We can use topical steroids to lessen the symptoms, but for more permanent solutions, it’s advisable that we pay a visit to a dermatologist.
6. Herpes Zoster
The varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox) causes herpes – this red, blistered rash which may appear anywhere on our skin. We can also experience a headache, fever, or fatigue while we have herpes.
Those with an impaired immune system, as well as seniors, are at the highest risk. Herpes can be very painful if not treated from the start. It’s vital that we head to the dermatologist’s office sooner rather than later and start combating our symptoms with antivirals from early on.
7. Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)
Whether we like it or not, our feet are prone to fungal infections. This skin disorder can lead to extreme itching, redness, and cracked skin on our feet and between our toes. We can easily “pick up” a type of fungi called dermatophytes at shower stalls, public pools, and locker rooms.
There are various antifungal treatments; however, symptoms are sometimes very persistent. It can take up to weeks for our skin disorder to improve. In order to speed up the healing process, we should see a specialist and make the most of our treatment.
8. Psoriasis
This autoimmune disease is a chronic skin disorder. More than 6.7 million in the United States people have psoriasis. When we notice scaly patches, which are sometimes red or silver and can be painful and itchy, we might have psoriasis. Medical dermatology recognizes more than one type of this skin condition.
Besides the above-mentioned symptoms, we can feel stiffness, swelling, or pain in our joints. Our symptoms can vary depending on the type of psoriasis we have. In order to properly treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, we have to know which type we have.
Moisturizing is very important; it will prevent the skin from becoming too dry and itchy. A cortisone cream or an ointment-based moisturizer could help. However, not everything works for everyone. A dermatologist can help us determine the type of our psoriasis and employ an effective treatment for it.
9. Basal Cell Carcinoma
This type of skin cancer is the most common type in the United States. It grows in the upper basal cells of our skin; it rarely spreads, and it is curable. If we spend a lot of time in the sun or use sunbeds frequently, we are at a higher risk of developing BCC.
The head, nose, ears, and neck are the most commonly affected areas. Growths can look shiny, scaly and red, or like an open sore. If a smaller area is affected, skin medication can help us treat BCC. For bigger areas, radiation or surgery might be needed.
In order to prevent basal cell carcinoma, skin care has to be our priority. We shouldn’t spend too much time in the sun; we should wear protective clothing and always put on sunscreen protection. In addition, it’s vital to visit our dermatologist once a year.
10. Warts
Warts are raised bumps on our skin which are caused by the HPV (human papillomavirus). Skin disorders associated with warts have been affecting people for thousands of years. In most cases, warts aren’t dangerous; however, they are contagious, ugly, and sometimes painful.
There are, in total, five major types of warts: common, plantar, flat, filiform, and periungual warts. Each type appears on a different part of our body. Common treatments include freezing and using patches with salicylic acid. If usual treatments fail, doctors can perform surgery.
When we have warts on sensitive parts of our body, such as our face, nostrils, or genitals, we should see a dermatologist as soon as possible. Also, if we notice bleeding or a sign of infection, or if the wart changes its color or becomes painful, it’s time to see a specialist.
Final Thoughts
As we mentioned at the beginning, our skin is the largest organ we have. Plus, its role is an important one – it protects all of our other organs. With that being said, it’s obvious that skin care is vital. Numerous skin conditions can be avoided with prevention. If we still experience skin disorders, medical dermatology can be of great help.
We might think that our condition isn’t worthy of a dermatologist’s attention, but we are wrong. Dermatologists can help us choose the most effective treatment for our symptoms and speed up the healing process.
Furthermore, they can help us feel good about ourselves. Various skin conditions can leave us feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable. There’s no need to feel that way, though. A simple visit to the doctor’s office could help us combat our skin disorders much more effectively.
If you’re looking to visit a Dermatologist NYC – Best Modern Care | Dermatology and Laser Group, then feel free to book an appointment with us here. We’re located in Midtown, Manhattan.
Arash Akhavan, MD is founder and owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group, one of the top centers for cosmetic procedures in New York City for over a decade. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD is a Board Certified Dermatologist and an Associate Professor at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Akhavan is a Castle Connolly Top Doc, New York Magazine Best Doctor, and Super Doctor featured in The New York Times. Dr. Akhavan is a key opinion leader that has been featured on hundreds of media publications including The New York Times, Allure, Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, ABC News, Fox News, Fox 5, NY1, WPIX, and more. He has been featured on nationally syndicated television programs such as The Doctors.
Dr. Akhavan serves as an educator and lecturer for multiple aesthetic device and injectable companies. This allows his office access to newer technologies at an earlier date than other offices, as well as a higher level of expertise in the use of these devices. This, in turn, translates to more effective and safer treatments for our patients.
