The 5 Skin Conditions You Might Not Be Aware Of

Skin conditions are common, with most people knowing about conditions like psoriasis or eczema. Many of these conditions are also easy to treat at clinics such as Amedics while some go away on their own. However, numerous skin conditions are rare enough that you might not have heard about them. In the article, we are going to focus on five of them. 

Peeling Skin Syndrome 

You might be familiar with how the skin peels after a sunburn. This condition is like having a sunburn all the time. The skin itches, thickens, reddens, and blisters. It then starts peeling such that you can pull sheets of skin from the body, usually the soles of the feet. The condition is genetic and rare so there is no treatment for it. However, petroleum jelly that helps soften the skin can help. Calluses and warts can be treated with topical and prescribed medications. Do talk to your doctor before using any lotions, ointments, and skin treatments though, because these can exacerbate the issue. 

Argyria 

Argyria is characterised by the skin changing to a greyish or blue hue. The condition is caused by overexposure to silver and the accumulation of silver in the body. Some people who take supplements that contain silver for long periods can also suffer from the condition. The accumulation of silver in the skin leads to the metal being deposited in the skin. The silver then stains the skin and the mucous membrane, turning it a greyish or blue colour. The condition is not life-threatening, but it can cause issues in daily life due to the new skin colour. The condition is also permanent and is almost untreatable as various interventions are still being trialled. 

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease 

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a contagious viral infection caused by a virus known as coxsackievirus. The disease mainly affects young children, but adults can contract it too. The main symptoms include sores in the mouth plus a rash on the feet and hands. Other symptoms include sore throat, fever, red rash that might or might not be itchy, irritability, loss of appetite and feeling unwell. 

The symptoms start being observed three to six days after infection, with fever being the first symptom observed. Sore throat, feeling unwell and loss of appetite follow soon after.  

Although the symptoms can be serious in some children, the disease is usually not very serious and clears within a few days. The main complication is the ulcers that form in the mouth that can take a week or more to heal. For more information on hand, foot and mouth disease, you can check out the detailed guide provided by Patient. Patient.info is a medical information website geared towards providing detailed and accurate medical and health information for both patients and health professionals. They also cover numerous health topics in-depth, ranging from child and sexual health to skin conditions and vaccinations. 

The treatment for hand, foot and mouth disease is the management of its symptoms which include dealing with the fever, giving fluids and treating the sores in the mouth. You should see a doctor if the temperature does not go down after giving ibuprofen and if the infected person has any issues with drinking or eating. 

Fish Scale Disease 

Our bodies shed skin naturally over time. This shedding also leads to the removal of keratin in the shed skin, ensuring it does not accumulate in the body. So, what happens if this natural shedding process is interfered with? Keratin builds up in the body and skin leading to a flaky scalp, dry skin and small scales in the lower legs and elbows that resemble those found in fish. 

The skin can darken too. Fish scale disease, also known as Ichthyosis Vulgaris, can be passed down from a parent to a child. There is also enough evidence to show that it is related to conditions such as thyroid disease, HIV, AIDS, and cancer. Although there is no known treatment, a warm and humid climate has been shown to help. 

Erythropoietic Protoporphyria 

Erythropoietic Protoporphyria, also known as EPP, is a rare skin condition that leads to pain on exposure to direct sunlight. It is a genetic disease that only affects a few people, about one in 200,000. EPP is a genetic disease that affects about 10% of the children whose parents have the disease. 

The areas most affected are the ears, face, and the tops of the hands. The pain can range from mild to severe, often a day or two. However, they can last longer in some cases. Other symptoms include blistering, swelling, crusting and redness. The skin on the cheeks and backs of the hands can thicken, which is thought to be a way for the body to protect itself. 

Rare skin conditions tend to not have treatment, and this is why they can be so devastating. You may not have heard about many of them and knowing about them should help people be more sympathetic to those who have them.