Skin is the body’s largest organ that serves vital roles and different purposes. It protects our body from external threats like UV rays from the sun, bacteria and viruses, foreign objects, chemicals, and dirt. It’s the first thing that people see in us. That’s why if you start suffering from a skin condition, you become shy and embarrassed. Your self-confidence will drop until you get to address your condition.
Let’s discuss the five most common embarrassing skin conditions you might suffer and learn how to address them.
Folliculitis
Inflamed hair follicles can lead to a common skin ailment called folliculitis. A bacterial infection frequently brings it on. It may initially appear as little pimples surrounding the tiny holes where each hair grows hair follicles. It can be an unsightly, sore, and irritating condition.
It’s a common skin condition affecting over 3 million individuals annually in the USA alone. If you’re among these individuals suffering from folliculitis, remember there are many ways you can do to address this condition.
The first option you have to address your folliculitis is to use medication. Some pills and creams can help calm the inflammation. You can also opt for antibiotic cream for folliculitis to treat the infection directly.
Other interventions are available for you, like minor surgery to drain the pus, relieve pain, and speed up recovery. Your healthcare provider will also offer laser hair removal. Laser hair removal will only be offered if other treatment doesn’t improve your condition.
Eczema
Another prevalent yet embarrassing skin condition is eczema. This skin condition affects over 31 million Americans, including infants and children. For infants, nearly half of the eczema sufferers outgrow the condition or show improvement when they become older.
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is an inflammation in the skin that causes severe itching, scaly rashes, redness, and oozing. This skin condition can become painful, change the color of your skin, and can cause blisters. Allergy is known to be the main culprit for eczema.
If you have eczema, you should schedule a visit with an allergist. Your allergist will recommend prescription medication like antihistamines or topical steroids, especially for moderate to severe eczema. Meanwhile, for mild eczema, ointments like petroleum jelly and moisturizers are used to relieve its symptoms.
Psoriasis
The next embarrassing skin condition is psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic illness, meaning it is long-lasting. It is caused by an overactive immune system, which causes skin cells to multiply too quickly.
If you have psoriasis, patches of your skin will become inflamed and scaly. It happens mostly on the scalp, knees, or elbows. However, expect that other body parts will also be affected with psoriasis.
Around 7.5 to 8 million Americans are known to be affected with psoriasis. Meanwhile, around 125 million individuals are affected worldwide. This skin condition is also a genetic illness, which means if a family member has psoriasis, you have a significant chance of developing such a condition.
You can address psoriasis by using topical therapy such as:
- Corticosteroids
- Retinoids
- Vitamin D analogue
- Salicylic Acid
- Coal tar
- Anthralin
You also have the option to undergo light therapy like:
- Excimer laser
- Psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA)
- Sunlight
- UVB Narrowband
- UVB Broadband
- Goeckerman therapy
Warts
Another embarrassing skin condition that is common worldwide is warts. This skin condition is not only embarrassing because of its appearance, but it is also known to be a sexually transmitted disease caused by the human papillomavirus or HPV.
Warts, commonly found on the feet, fingers, hands, and face, can affect children and adults. Medication is available for wart treatment. It can be either over-the-counter or prescription medication.
Most warts aren’t painful, except if it’s located in an area where they are constantly being pressed, like in the finger. If you’re experiencing a painful wart, you must schedule an appointment with your physician as soon as possible to know if the condition is serious so that you will be given appropriate treatment.
Acne
Out of all the five skin conditions, acne is the most common. Every individual will experience acne at least once in their lifetime. This skin condition occurs when the hair follicle gets clogged with oil, dirt, and dead skin cells.
The majority of individuals affected with acne are teenagers due to the activation of hormones during puberty. When a person’s hormones become active, they stimulate the oil glands, which results in an overproduction of sebum.
Moreover, genes also play a significant role in developing acne. If you have one or more family members who suffer from acne, you’ll likely also experience this skin condition. Acne occurs in clusters on the face.
Aside from the face, acne can also be found on the back, referred to as bacne. Fortunately, acne is avoidable. All you need to do is to clean your face regularly. But if it’s genetics, you might want to visit your dermatologist to know what medication suits you.
Medication for acne doesn’t need a prescription. You can buy them over the counter. Moreover, keep in mind that acne can be a result of a health problem. For instance, in women, acne can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS. So, it’s better to discuss this condition with your healthcare provider.
Final Thoughts
Many skin conditions can be very embarrassing, but the five mentioned are the most common and the most embarrassing of them all. That’s why you must know how to treat them to get rid of them completely and help alleviate the symptoms.
