The 24 skin pathologies: characteristics and how to recognize them

In this world there are hundreds of diseases and the skin, our largest organ, is not exempt from presenting all kinds of medical conditions.

There are skin diseases of all types, color, size, severity, contagious and genetic... and few are "pleasant" to the eye. If you are interested in knowing them, keep reading, because below you will find a summary of skin diseases.

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The 24 most important skin diseases

Skin pathologies are many, and vary greatly in terms of symptoms and severity. There are skin diseases that can be temporary, while others leave permanent sequelae, both painful and painless.

What causes them is also very varied, since there are diseases that may have a genetic component while others are caused by an infection or by coming into contact with an allergen.

Next we are going to discover different types of skin pathologies with the keys to identify them.

1. Acne

The acne commonly occurs on the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and upper back

. It consists of outbreaks on the skin consisting of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, cysts and deep, sometimes painful nodules. If left untreated, it can leave scars.

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2. Blister

Blisters consist of clear skin bubbles with liquid inside. Those that are less than one centimeter in size are called blisters, while those larger than that size are often called bullae. They can appear both alone and in groups and can be located anywhere on the body.

3. Basal cell carcinoma

In basal cell carcinoma, raised, firm, pale areas that resemble a scar.

These areas are dome-shaped, pink or red, shiny and pearly with a sunken center, like a crater. The blood vessels are visible in the growth and there is easy bleeding, with festering wounds that do not seem to heal.

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4. Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma usually occurs in areas exposed to ultraviolet radiation, such as the face, ears and the backs of the hands, which is why it is so important to wear sunscreen to all parts of the body.

It manifests as a scaly, reddish patch on the skin that, as it develops, becomes a raised bump that continues to grow.

5. Urticaria

Hives consist of raised welts that itch and They usually appear after contact with some type of allergen. These bumps are red, warm, and painful to the touch. Their size varies, and they can be small, round or larger hives with irregular shapes.

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6. Actinic keratosis

Actinic keratosis consists of a patch of thick, scaly, or crusted skin that is usually no larger than two centimeters in size.

It appears on parts of the body that are usually exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, arms, scalp, and neck. It has a pinkish color, although it can also acquire brown and gray tones.

7. Keratosis pilaris

Keratosis pilaris is a common medical condition that is frequently seen on the arms and legs, but it can also occur on the face, torso, and buttocks. It manifests itself in the form of patches of skin that are bumpy in appearance, slightly red and rough to the touch, which can be worse in dry climates.

8. Herpes labialis

Cold sores are a red, painful, fluid-filled blister that appears in the mouth and lips.

The affected area often causes a tingling and burning sensation, even before the sore becomes visible. It can be accompanied by mild flu-like symptoms, such as a low fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes.

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9. Eczema

Eczema consists of yellowish or whitish scaly patches that peel off. The affected areas may be red, itchy and ooze with a kind of greasy substance. If the affected area had hair follicles, hair loss can occur.

10. Psoriasis

Psoriasis manifests itself in the form of well-defined, whitish, scaly patches on the skin. They are common on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. It can bring itching, but it can also manifest asymptomatically beyond its appearance.

11. Cellulitis from infection

Infectious cellulitis is a skin pathology caused by bacteria and fungi, which enter through a crack or cut. It manifests itself in the form of reddened skin, with pain and inflammation, and there may be exudation.

The affected areas present a sensation of heat and sensitivity to the touch. This disease can be aggravated since the affected person can suffer fevers and chills. Red spots on the rash can be a sign of serious infection and reason for going to a hospital for a medical emergency.

12. Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that comes and goes, with cycles of fading and relapse. Relapses can be triggered by spicy foods, alcoholic beverages, sunlight, stress, and Helicobacter pylori bacteria.

There are four subtypes of rosacea (erythematous-telangiectatic, papulo-pustular, phimatous, and ocular), each with its varied symptoms. The most common symptoms include raised and red bumps, facial flushing, and dry skin.

13. Carbuncle

Anthrax consists of a red, sore, and irritated bump under the skin. It can be accompanied by moderately severe symptoms, such as fever, body aches, and fatigue. This skin pathology can cause scabs and dermatological suppuration.

14. Latex allergy

Latex allergy consists of a rash that occurs within minutes or hours of contact with a product made from this material. It manifests as warm, red, itchy bumps at the contact site. Its appearance can be dry and crusty when exposure to latex has been continuous.

Latex particles may be traveling through the air, causing coughing, runny nose, itchy eyes, watery eyes, and sneezing. A severe allergy to this material can cause inflammation and breathing problems, which is why it is considered a condition that requires urgent medical attention.

15. Measles

Measles is a disease with several symptoms, including fever, sore throat, red eyes, watery eyes, runny nose, cough, and loss of appetite. On the skin, this medical condition manifests itself in the form of red spots that spread from the face to the rest of the body three to five days after the first symptoms appear.

16. Melanoma

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. It is a more common medical condition in fair-skinned people, manifesting itself in the shape of a mole anywhere on the body, with irregularly shaped edges., asymmetrical and with varied shades. This mole can change color quickly, in addition to growing at an alarming rate.

17. Lupus

Lupus is a skin disease that manifests itself in the form of scaly, disc-shaped rash that is not itchy or painful. It usually appears on the shoulders, forearms, neck, and upper torso, worsening with greater exposure to sunlight.

It can also come in the form of a red, hot-to-touch rash that spreads across the cheeks and bridge of the nose, shaped like a butterfly. It can be accompanied by fatigue, headaches, fever, and joint inflammation.

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18. Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis, as its name suggests, is a skin disease that occurs when contact with an allergen is made, whether after a few hours or a few days.

Has visible edges and appears right in the area where the irritant has been touched. The skin begins to itch, takes on a reddish color, flakes and, also, blisters may appear that ooze, ooze or form scabs.

19. Wart

Warts are benign skin tumors caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). These bumps can be found on the skin and mucous membranes, occurring both singly and in groups. Because they are caused by viruses, they are contagious and require specific treatment to eliminate them.

20. Chickenpox

Chickenpox causes clusters of itchy, red, fluid-filled blisters on the skin in various stages of healing. These rashes are accompanied by fever, body aches, sore throat, and even loss of appetite. Chickenpox is a contagious disease, and the person who has it stops spreading it the moment all the blisters are crusted or dried up.

21. Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a condition in which the skin loses its pigment due to the destruction of cells caused by the autoimmune system attacking them. This disease is especially striking in people with dark skin and can occur in two ways:

• Focal loss: loss of skin color in just a few areas.
• Segmental pattern: depigmentation on one side of the body.

It brings premature graying of the scalp and facial hair.

22. Melasma

Melasma is a common skin disease in which dark spots appear on the face, but also on the neck, chest and arms but less frequently.

It is common for pregnant women (chloasma) and also people with dark skin or more exposed to sunlight. It has no significant symptoms beyond skin discoloration and may disappear on its own after a year, although there are cases where it becomes a permanent condition.

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23. Impetigo

Impetigo is a common skin disease in babies and children. It is often located in the area around the mouth, chin and nose, manifesting in the form of a rash irritant with fluid-filled blisters that break open easily and form a crust of yellowish tones and orange.

24. Tub

Ringworm is a skin disease that occurs in the form of scaly eruptions, with a circular shape and raised edges. The shape is similar to that of a ring, the interior of which the skin acquires a clear and healthy tone, while the edges of the ring extend outwards and cause itching.