Skin diseases

Skin disease is a human disease of varying etiologies characterized by pathological changes in the skin, nails and hair and in the visible mucous membranes. They may be manifested by spots, vesicles filled with transparent fluid or pus (pustules), nodules elevated above the skin, scratches, ulcers, and cracks. Many skin diseases are accompanied by itching, burning, redness, swelling and pain. Such skin problems, such as acnes, can affect your appearance. Our skin may also develop several kinds of cancers.

Dermatology is the branch of medicine that studies skin diseases. They may include skin infections and skin neoplasms. Infection of the skin is distinguished from dermatitis, which is inflammation of the skin, but a skin infection can result in skin inflammation. Inflammatory skin diseases result from direct exposure to chemicals, mechanical factors, radiation, or extremes of temperature. Skin diseases may be caused by allergies, irritants, metabolic disorders and immune system problems. Some skin diseases are manifestations of increased body sensitivity to various stimuli, including drugs and certain plants.

The term “dermatitis” (or eczema) is used to describe changes in the upper layer of the skin that include redness, itching, blistering, crusting, scaling, thickening and sometimes pigmentation. The cause of dermatitis is unclear. One possibility is a dysfunctional interplay between the immune system and skin. Most cases of dermatitis develop in people with sensitive skin and can be prevented simply by avoiding the irritant.

One of the most common skin diseases is acne. It is characterized by comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and pus-filled spots (pustules). It usually starts at puberty and varies in severity from a few spots on the face, back and chest, which most adolescents will have at some time, to a more serious problem that may cause scarring. At present there is no cure for acne, although the available treatments can be very effective in preventing the formation of new spots and scarring.

Such skin diseaseas scabies may be caused by parasitic insects, bacteria or pathogenic fungi. Viral skin infections are most often caused by one of three groups of viruses: poxvirus, human papillomavirus, and herpes simplex virus.

Treatment of scabies depends on the cause of the infection and severity. Some types of viral skin infections may not require treatment. Bacterial infections are often treated with medications such as antibiotics. Medication is often administered directly on to the skin.

Neoplasms such as birthmarks, warts, and tumors may develop on the skin. Skin cancers are due to the development of abnormal cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Melanomas are the most aggressive. The exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun increases the risk of all three main types of skin cancer.

Exercise 6. Answer the following questions:

1. In what cases may the most common skin diseases occur?

2. How may skin diseases manifested?

3. What are many skin diseases accompanied by?

4. What diseases may affect the appearance?

5. What science studies skin diseases?

6. What does the inflammation of the skin result from?

7. What are the main manifestations of dermatitis?

8. What is the causative agent of scabies?

9. What infections may be treated with antibiotics?

10. What may skin cancers be due to?