Common Adult Skin Conditions & How To Deal With Them Effectively

Skin diseases are commonly referred to as skin conditions. There are various factors that trigger these skin conditions, including genetics or lifestyle. 

There are a great number of different skin conditions, each with its own symptoms and inconveniences. A skin condition may be chronic or acute, severe or mild, painless or painful. In this article, we take a look at some of the most common skin conditions in adults.

Most Common Skin Conditions in Adults

Acne

One of the most recognized and common skin conditions in adults, acne is caused when pores get inflamed due to blockage by oil and dead skin cells. There are various forms of acne that can affect your skin.

• Pores that remain open and are filled with oil and dead skin are known as blackheads, as they are dark in appearance.
• Pimples that are completely blocked with oil and dead cells are called whiteheads.
• When pimples get pus in them, they are called pustules. These look similar to whiteheads, except with surrounding red skin.

While there are many factors that cause acne, it is mostly triggered by hormonal activity and is prevalent in the teenage years as well as in adulthood. Other factors include genetics, bacteria, high humidity, stress, and the use of oily care products. Acne mostly affects the face, chest, or upper back areas of the body.

Contact Dermatitis

Another common adult skin problem is contact dermatitis. As the name suggests, it is an irritation of the skin due to contact with a substance or an allergen, like cosmetics, fragrances, plants, and metals.

Though it is not contagious, contact dermatitis can be extremely uncomfortable and irritating. Symptoms include rashes, bumps, and blisters on the skin, swelling, and dry or cracked skin. It is strongly advised against scratching the affected area, as the skin affected by contact dermatitis can become moist, which can breed bacteria and cause infection.

Eczema

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a rash that makes your skin dry, inflamed, and itchy. It usually occurs in children but is also one of the more common adult skin problems. Due to being a chronic condition, eczema can cause extreme irritation, stress, and pain for a long time. Affectees may also experience flares from time to time. Moisturizing is recommended to relieve pain and prevent flare-ups.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that is fairly common among adults. It can cause severe pain, itching, irritation, and unexpected flare-ups. Skin affected with psoriasis becomes discolored and covered with thick scales called plaques.

There are various different types of psoriasis, each with its own symptoms, triggers, and treatments:

Plaque Psoriasis: This is the most common form of psoriasis. Usually affecting the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, plaque psoriasis causes dry, itchy, and raised patches on skin covered with scales. Data shows that among people affected by psoriasis, 80-90% are affected with plaque psoriasis, but fortunately, products for psoriasis treatment are available.

Nail psoriasis: Psoriasis is one of those common adult skin problems that can affect nails. Nails affected with psoriasis can become discolored, and they might even loosen and detach from the skin.

Guttate psoriasis: This type of psoriasis typically targets young people. Its primary trigger is bacterial infections, which result in small, round scales on arms, legs, or the trunk area of the skin.

Inverse psoriasis: Psoriasis that affects the skin folds of the breasts, groin, and buttocks is known as inverse psoriasis. It is different from normal psoriasis as there are no scales in this condition. Rather it results in smooth patches of itchy skin. The most common trigger for inverse psoriasis is fungal infections.

Pustular psoriasis: An uncommon occurrence, pustular psoriasis causes pus-filled blisters on the palms or the soles.

Erythrodermic psoriasis: The rarest and probably the most disturbing form of psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis causes the body to be covered in an intensely burning rash that can peel off. This condition can either be chronic or acute.

Cold sore

Cold sores, or fever blisters, are also a very common occurrence. Caused by the herpes simplex virus, cold sores are small fluid-filled blisters formed on the mouth or nose. These blisters are painful and very irritating. Cold sores are triggered by fever, stress, over-exposure to the sun, or by hormonal changes. These blisters typically last for ten days but can be treated with antivirals.

How to Deal With Skin Problems In Adults

Certain chronic skinkin conditions may or may not be curable, but sometreatments can always provide relief for such conditions. Depending on the nature and severity of your skin condition, your dermatologist can suggest antibiotics, medicated creams, steroids, or even surgical procedures.

Your doctor may also suggest you adopt lifestyle changes for treating your skin condition. For example, a healthy diet and exercise are always beneficial for skin care. Stress management and good hygiene also help with numerous skin diseases.

Preventive Measures For Common Skin Conditions In Adults

As we mentioned before, some skin conditions cannot be prevented. Preventive measures in such cases are adopted to stop the further spread of the disease.

• Avoid sharing cosmetic items and personal items like razors and shavers.
• Always disinfect public-use objects.
• Have a good amount of quality sleep.
• Keep your hands clean.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Keep yourself out of the sun.

In addition to taking these precautions, there are specific skin care products that can provide relief and even prevent many common adult skin problems like dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, etc. Always keep in mind that different skin conditions have different symptoms, triggers, and treatments, so it is recommended to always take advice from a dermatologist or your doctor before using any skincare products.