The Four Causes Of Skin Conditions And How Your Dermatologist Discerns Which One Caused Your Skin Issues
Human skin acts as a barrier against everything that could cause your internal body parts to become sick or diseased. So what happens when your skin itself appears to have a problem? A dermatologist looks at your skin issue and determines if it has occurred because of one of the following causes. Then he or she will treat it in a way that combats the root of your skin condition.
Allergic Reaction
Your skin can have an allergic reaction to things it touches. Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are examples of this type of skin condition. Your skin does not even have to touch these plants; their oils can remain on your clothes and then touch your skin to set off a reaction. The dermatologist only has to look at the blisters and/or the rash to tell what is going on, but he or she may also take a swab or skin sample to look at under his/her microscope to confirm this problem. Usually a topical cream or ointment with medicine in it is all that is needed to make this problem go away.
Hormonal Issues
If acne is any indication, hormones also play a part in skin conditions. Most people who see a dermatologist for this are either past their adolescent years and do not know what it is they have or they are teenagers with acne so bad it requires medical treatment to alleviate it. Older patients may need to have their hormone levels checked while teens may have to take both pills and topical creams to address their acne. As an adult, you may have to treat your condition with hormone pills to put your hormones back into balance.
Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune disorders, such as psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis and lupus often have accompanying skin conditions. Your body is fighting its own cells, thinking that your own cells are an invasive disease. Sometimes these are easy to diagnose, as is the case with the patchy scabs of psoriasis or the mask rash of lupus. Sometimes they are not, and then your dermatologist may want to do some blood tests to rule out other autoimmune disorders.
Viruses and Bacteria
Viruses and bacteria also attack the skin. The flesh-eating virus is one such virus, although if you have this condition you are probably already quarantined in a hospital. Other milder skin viruses and bacteria are no less irritating and scary than some of the other sources above, but they have their own treatments. Some may be treated internally with antibiotics, while others may just need time to die off and let your skin be.
Contact a dermatologist in your area for more about this topic.
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