Skin Conditions and Disorders
Knowledge of the structure and function of skin and aspects of
integumentary generally are included in training
in many therapies, such as Massage, Aromatherapy, Acupuncture,
Shiatsu, and others. This page is intended for most Basic / First Level Courses in these
therapies, and some ITEC Diplomas.
This page is divided into the
following sections:
- Congenital Skin Condition
- Bacterial Skin Conditions
- Viral Skin Conditions
- Fungal Skin Conditions
1. Congenital Skin Conditions
Eczema |
A common skin condition
characterized by reddening
(erythema) and vesicle
formation, which may lead
to weeping and crusting.
It is endogenous, or "constitutional".
This means that outside
agents do not play a primary
role. (Contrast this with
'dermititis', in which
case outside agents DO
play a primary role.)
However in some contexts
the terms 'dermititis'
and 'eczema' are used
interchangeably to refer
to the symptoms of these skin conditions. |
There are
five main
types of
eczema:
|
1. |
Atopic
Eczema,
which is
associated
with asthma
and hay-fever. |
2. |
Seborrhoeic
Eczema (or Dermititis),
typically
affecting
the scalp,
eyelids,
nose, and
lips; associated
with the
presence
of Pityrosporum
yeasts;
common among
AIDS patients. |
3. |
Discoid (or Nummular) Eczema,
characterized
by coin-shaped
lesions
and only
occuring
in adults. |
4. |
Pompholyx,
affecting
only the
hands and
feet. |
5. |
Gravitational (or Stasis) Eczema,
associated
with poor
venous circulation
(sometimes
referred
to as'Varicose
Eczema'). |
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|
|
Psoriasis |
A chronic skin
disease in which scaly pink
patches form on the elbows,
knees, scalp, and other parts
of the body. Psorisis is one
of the commonest skin diseases
in Britain, affecting about
2% of the population (cause
unknown).
This disorder often runs in
families, the commonest time
of onset being in adolesence.
It sometimes occurs in association
with arthritis. Occasionally
the disease may be very severe,
affecting much of the skin and
causing considerable disability
in the patient. |
While psychological
stress may make psorisis worse,
the only significant event thought
to precipitate this condition
is a preceeding streptococcal infection. |
|
Dermatitis |
An inflammatory
condition of the skin
caused by outside agents.
(Contrast this with eczema,
an endogenous disease
in which outside agents
do NOT play a primary
role).
|
  |
Primary
irritant dermatitis may occur in anyone
who has sufficient
contact with irritants
such as acids, alkalis,
solvents and (especially)
detergents. |
|
Primary
irritant dermatitis
is the commonest
cause of occupational
dermatitis in
hairdressers, nurses,
cooks etc.. |
|
In
the case of allergic
contact dermatitis skin changes resembling
those of eczema
develop as a delayed
reaction to contact
with a particular
allergen, which
may be present at
low concentrations. |
|
The
commonest example
of allergic contact
dermatitis in women
is nickel dermatitis due to the metal
nickel used in jewellery,
jeans studs etc,
whereas |
|
In
men chromium
dermatitis is
relatively common.
Treatment of dermatitis
depends on removing
the cause, which
is not always possible. |
|
Dermititis
herpetiformis is an uncommon very
itchy rash with
symmetrical blistering,
especially on the
knees, elbows, buttocks
and shoulders. It
is related to sensitivity
to gluten. |
|
|
|
2. Bacterial Skin Conditions
Acne
vulgaris |
A common inflammatory
condition of the sebaceous
glands. These grease-producing
glands are under androgen
control, but the cause
of acne is unknown. It
involves the face, back
and chest and is characterized
by the presence of blackheads
with papules, pustules
- and in more severe cases
- cysts and scars.
Acne is readily treatable. |
|
|
Impetigo |
A superficial
bacterial infection of the skin. |
|
Nonbullous
impetigo is caused by Staphylococcus
aureus, Streptococcus
species, or both organisms.
It mainly affects young children
and is highly contagious, with
yellowish-brown crusting. |
|
Bullous impetigo is caused by Staphylococcus
aureus. It is characterized
by blisters, is less contagious
than the nonbullous form, and
occurs at any age. |
|
Acne
Rosacea |
A chronic inflammatory
disease of the face in
which the skin becomes
abnormally flushed. At
times it may become pustular
and there may be associated
keratitis (inflammation
of the cornea of the eye).
The disease occurs in
both sexes and at all
ages but is most common
in women in their thirties.
The cause is unknown. |
|
|
3. Viral Skin Conditions
Warts |
A wart
is a benign growth on
the skin caused by an
infection with 'human
papillomavirus'.
(However, a few of the
many types of this virus
are known to be a causal
factors in the production
of tumours, which is why
it is good advice to have
new/unknown growths on
the skin checked by a
qualified person.)
|
|
|
|
Verrucas |
Also known as
'Plantar Warts'. |
|
Herpes |
Inflammation of the
skin or mucous membranes
that is caused by herpes
viruses and characterized
by collections of small
blisters.
There are two types of
herpes. |
|
|
Herpes
simplex |
There are two types
of Herpes simplex (HSV):
Type I causes the common cold sore , which
is usually present on
or around the lips.
Type II is mainly associated
with genital herpes and is sexually transmitted.
Types I and I can both
cause either genital herpes
or cold sores, depending
on the site of initial
infection. HSV blisters
are contagious through
skin-to-skin contact and
are recurrent in some
people. HSV can also affect
the conjunctiva. |
|
|
Herpes
zoster |
Also
known as "Shingles",
this is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes
chickenpox. Following
an attack of chickenpox,
the virus lays dormant
in the dorsal root ganglia
of the spinal cord.
Later, due to one of various
stimuli, the virus may
migrate down the sensory
nerve to affect one or
more dermatones on the
skin in a band, causing
the characteristic singles
rash. One side of the
face or eye (ophthalmic
zoster) may be involved.
Shingles may be chronically
painfully (post-herpetic
neuralgia), especially
in the elderly. |
|
|
4. Fungal Skin Conditions
Tinea
corporis, manus, pedis |
Also known as "Ringworm",
this is a fungal infection
that can affect the skin,
the scalp, or the nails.
Ringworm is caused by
the dermatophyte fungi
- species of Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton - and also affects non-human
animals, which may be
a source of infection
for peope.
It can be spread by direct
contact or via infected
materials. The lesions
of ringworm may be ringlike
and may cause intense
itching. |
|
Tinea
pedis (Athelete's
Foot) is the commonest
form of
ringworm
and affects
the skin
between
the toes. |
|
Tinea
capitis is another
common form
of ringworm
and affects
the scalp. |
|
Tinea
cruris is the form
of ringworm
that affects
the groin
and thighs. |
|
Tinea
barbae is the form
of ringworm
that affects
the skin
under a
beard. |
Ringworm
is often
treated
with anti-fungal
agents,
which may
either be
taken by
mouth (orally),
or applied
locally. |
|
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|
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Verrucas |
Plantar
Warts - see
above. |
|
Folliculitis |
Inflammation
of the hair follicles
in the skin, commonly
caused by infection.
Folliculitis may be caused
by Pityrosporum yeasts. |
|
|
Boils |
Tender
inflamed areas of skin
that contain pus.
The infection is usually
caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus entering through a hair
follicle or a break in
the skin. Local injury
or lowered constitutional
resistance may encourage
the development of boils.
These usually heal when
the pus is released, or
with antibiotic treatment
(though occasionally the
latter may cause more
widespread infection).
The medical name for a
"boil" is a
"furuncle". |
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This page only includes the most common skin conditions
that are included on many first-level exam courses.
Information about the structure
of skin is also included on this website.
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