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Knowledge of the structure and function of skin and aspects of
integumentary generally are essential parts of 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.
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This page is divided into the following sections:
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1.
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Congenital Skin Conditions
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2.
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Bacterial Skin Conditions
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3.
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Viral Skin Conditions
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4.
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Fungal Skin Conditions
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Click on the links above or scroll down this
page.
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1. Congenital Skin Conditions
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Eczema
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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.
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There are five main
types of eczema:
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1.
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Atopic Eczema,
which is associated
with asthma and hay-fever.
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2.
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Seborrhoeic Eczema
(or Dermititis),
typically affecting
the scalp, eyelids,
nose, and lips; associated
with the presence of
Pityrosporum yeasts;
common among AIDS patients.
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3.
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Discoid (or
Nummular) Eczema,
characterized by coin-shaped
lesions and only occuring
in adults.
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4.
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Pompholyx, affecting
only the hands and feet.
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5.
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Gravitational
(or Stasis) Eczema,
associated with poor
venous circulation
(sometimes referred
to as'Varicose Eczema').
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Psoriasis
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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.
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While psychological stress may make psorisis
worse, the only significant event thought
to precipitate this condition is a preceeding
streptococcal infection.
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Dermatitis
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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).
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Primary irritant dermatitis
may occur in anyone who has
sufficient contact with irritants
such as acids, alkalis, solvents
and (especially) detergents.
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Primary irritant dermatitis
is the commonest cause of occupational
dermatitis in hairdressers,
nurses, cooks etc..
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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.
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The commonest example of allergic
contact dermatitis in women
is nickel dermatitis
due to the metal nickel used
in jewellery, jeans studs etc,
whereas
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In men chromium dermatitis
is relatively common.
Treatment of dermatitis depends
on removing the cause, which
is not always possible.
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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.
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2. Bacterial Skin Conditions
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Acne vulgaris
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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.
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Impetigo
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A superficial bacterial infection of the
skin.
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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.
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Bullous impetigo is caused by Staphylococcus
aureus. It is characterized by blisters,
is less contagious than the nonbullous form,
and occurs at any age.
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Acne Rosacea
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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.
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3. Viral Skin Conditions
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Warts
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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.)
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Verrucas
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Also known as 'Plantar Warts'.
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Herpes
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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.
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Herpes simplex
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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.
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Herpes zoster
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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.
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4. Fungal Skin Conditions
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Tinea corporis,
manus, pedis
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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.
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Tinea pedis (Athelete's
Foot) is the commonest
form of ringworm and
affects the skin between
the toes.
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Tinea capitis
is another common form
of ringworm and affects
the scalp.
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Tinea cruris
is the form of ringworm
that affects the groin
and thighs.
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Tinea barbae
is the form of ringworm
that affects the skin
under a beard.
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Ringworm is often treated
with anti-fungal agents,
which may either be
taken by mouth (orally),
or applied locally.
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Verrucas
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Plantar Warts - see
above.
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Folliculitis
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Inflammation of the hair follicles
in the skin, commonly caused by infection.
Folliculitis may be caused by Pityrosporum
yeasts.
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Boils
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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 is the end of this page about the skin disorders. Note
that this page only includes the most common skin conditions
that are included on many first-level exam courses. Basic
information about the structure
of skin is also included on this website.
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