Since the skin is the largest organ in the body, it makes sense that it is not without its potential issues. Your skin is constantly being exposed to the elements, people, and the environment around you. There are plenty of diseases, including bacterial and fungal, that exist unseen by the naked eye and usually go undetected without first seeing the symptoms. Some of these can infect more than just the skin, like getting a nail fungal infection which would require curanail treatment.
Woods Lamp Examination
There is a means by which many dermatologists perform an examination of the skin. This is through the use of a Woods light lamp. A Woods light lamp helps in diagnosing skin disorders by using light technology to detect fungal and bacterial infections on the skin’s surface. Not only that, but a woods lamp can also detect pigment disorders and other skin irregularities. The way this is done is by illuminating the skin of the patient in a darkened room with a special handheld device. Using this specially lit tool, certain areas of the skin which are affected by bacteria or pigmentation that is off will clearly be shown in the light indicated by the change of color on the patient’s skin at the affected or infected areas.
Acne Vulgaris
Possibly the most common skin condition among both teenagers and adults. Acne is often associated with teenagers as they go through hormonal changes, but does affect a large part of the adult population of the world as well. The reasons behind acne developing are numerous and depend on the individual’s health and lifestyle choices. There may be underlying causes as to why acne appears on a patient, such as hormonal imbalances or even hereditary reasons. Redness, pimples, and tenderness at the affected sites are the most common symptoms of acne vulgaris.
It’s important to see a doctor in order to get to the root of why a patient has acne. If it is a persistent problem that daily face washing does little to nothing to clear up, then it is time for a visit to the doctor. Other areas of the body may also be afflicted, other than the face. This can include the back, chest, neck, arms, and otherwise. There’s plenty that can be done to take care of your skin on your own if it is not caused by an underlying issue.
Tinea Capitis
Often affecting children, tinea capitis is a fungal infection that is so infectious that it can potentially become epidemic once a breakout begins. The condition causes the formation of alopecia, dry patches made up of dry scale on the skin, or sometimes a combination of the two. The infected sites will usually develop what is called black dot ringworm, which is what happens when the hair shafts above the surface break and fall off. This leaves just the tiniest bit of shaft sticking out of the scalp, giving the affected sites grey colored ringworm.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a common fungal disease that is highly contagious. Symptoms of ringworm include hair loss, itchiness on the affected sites, darkening of the skin, fissures in the skin, and red patches. The site of the ringworm itself is typically red, scaly and itchy. Many times it forms in the typical shape of a ring, hence the name. Children are commonly afflicted with ringworm, with the affected site often being the scalp where they will develop bald patches as a result.
Pigment Disorders
There are quite a few pigment disorders that range from the most common to the rarest of cases. Vitiligo is one of the most common pigmentation disorders, wherein the skin of the affected individual will have patches of discoloration to their skin. These patches will range in the amount and size, depending on the person. This is due to a loss of skin color, which can affect anywhere on the body. This includes not only the skin but also the insides of the mouth and even the color within the retina may see loss of color.
Sight is an important part of diagnosing the different conditions that may afflict the skin. Of course, for what we cannot see, there are special tools that exist to detect the unseen. Devices like the Woods lamp are used by dermatologists everywhere to get to the root of why you are experiencing your discomfort. Sometimes it takes getting a closer look at an issue before you can confirm for certain what it is you’re dealing with and can formulate a plan of action from there.
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