5 Common Skin Conditions: How to Treat Them and When to See a Doctor

Did you know that there are more than 3,000 skin disorders in dermatology?

While we can’t go over each one in this blog post (we’d be here a long time!), we think it’s important to discuss some of the most common conditions, how you can treat them, and when to see a doctor.

1. Acne

Acne is something that everyone experiences at one time or another in their lives. It is characterised by pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads, mainly on the face, chest, shoulders, and upper back. There are many potential causes of acne, including genetics, fluctuating hormone levels, stress, high humidity, and the use of greasy personal care products.

Acne tends to appear most regularly during puberty. However, many adults struggle with the condition as well. For some people, acne is nothing more than a minor inconvenience, while it can become debilitating for others.  

How you treat your acne depends on its severity. Lifestyle interventions can generally help reduce or eliminate acne. These might include only using non-comedogenic personal care products, taking your makeup off before bed, keeping your skin clean and moisturised, managing stress, and avoiding over-exfoliation.

Another helpful first-line treatment entails using benzoyl peroxide, which helps treat and prevent acne by killing bacteria underneath the skin. It’s available in over-the-counter gels, cleansers, and spot treatments.

If your acne isn’t responding to at-home treatment after six to eight weeks, it may be time to consult with a doctor. In addition, some people may need something stronger to get their acne under control, such as a prescription medication.

2. Eczema

Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a common skin condition in children, but it can also present for the first time in adults. It’s characterised by scaly, dry patches that appear on the hands, cheeks, face, and scalp. The patches are typically very itchy and can significantly impact the quality of life of the sufferer. While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, researchers believe it may involve genetics, the environment, or the immune system.

Eczema is often chronic, although it can be managed well with a good bathing and moisturising regimen, topical prescriptions, oral medications and a healthy diet. If your eczema impacts the quality of your life, schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss treatment options.

3. Psoriasis

Similar to eczema, psoriasis is another common skin condition that causes patches of raised, itchy skin. The most significant difference between eczema and psoriasis is the underlying cause. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system becomes dysfunctional and causes skin cells to grow too fast. The cells start to pile up on top of the skin, forming scaly, silvery patches.

There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but there are things you can do to reduce your symptoms. Treatment typically involves over-the-counter and prescription topical creams, phototherapy (or light therapy), and medications that target an overactive immune response. It’s best to schedule an appointment with your doctor when you first notice patches on your skin so that they can confirm the diagnosis and develop a treatment plan to ease your symptoms.

4. Rosacea

Rosacea is a skin disorder characterised by chronic facial redness, prominent blood vessels, and swollen, red bumps. The symptoms may flare up for weeks to months and then disappear for a while. This condition can affect anyone, but it’s most common in women over 30. The cause of rosacea is unknown but thought to be due to genetics and environmental factors.

There is no cure for rosacea, but treatment can control and reduce symptoms. Most often, this entails a combination of good skincare and topical or oral prescription medication. If you experience persistent redness of your face, see your doctor or a skin care specialist for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

5. Hives

If your skin suddenly erupts in pale red, raised, itchy bumps or welts, you could be experiencing hives. Hives are a response to being exposed to an allergen. Common triggers include medication, food, and bug bites or stings.

The best treatment for hives is finding and removing the trigger, which is not always an easy task. Antihistamines can be used to relieve your symptoms. However, if the hives do not resolve, your doctor may prescribe oral steroids, an injection of epinephrine or a cortisone medication.

Hives usually go away in two to four hours on their own; however, seek urgent treatment if your hives cover a large area of your body, your throat or facial area is swelling, or your breathing is affected.

If you’re experiencing an acute or chronic skin condition, please call our friendly reception team on 02 9399 9399 to book an appointment with our doctors. We’d be happy to evaluate your skin condition and suggest a plan to reduce or eliminate your symptoms.

Image source: Pexels - Anna Shvets