Skin is a major part of the body and the only exposed part that acts as a protective layer for every other organ and part that subsides inside a human body.

As an organ, the skin is made up of everything that covers one's body, including nails and hair. In total, skin accounts for about 16 percent of a person's total body weight.

Skin problems occur when any internal malfunction or external factor causes the skin to develop a problem, which, in turn, may be temporary or permanent. Skin problems can either be acquired (during lifetime) or they can be carried from birth (hereditary).

Skin diseases have been very common both in men and women of all ages. Skin problems have been reported as the fourth common cause of human illness.

Skin diseases either occur due to genetic reasons or they may develop over the course of life due to external factors. The type of skin disorder and severity and duration vary from individual to individual.

Guide on skin diseases

Skin diseases have been very common both in men and women of all ages. Skin problems have been reported as the fourth common cause of human illness.

Skin diseases are among the most common of all human health afflictions and affect almost 900 million people in the world at any time. - World Health Organization

Biologically speaking, skin problems arise when external or internal factors affect the integumentary system - the system that covers the body in the form of skin, nails, hair, and some types of muscles and glands.

Skin diseases either occur due to genetic reasons or they may develop over the course of life due to external factors. The type of skin disorder and severity and duration vary from individual to individual.

Here’s a comprehensive guide that covers the A-Z of skin diseases. The guide will cover:

Common types of skin diseases

Causes of skin problems

Symptoms of skin problems

Homeopathic medicines for skin diseases

     Types of skin disease - Several temporary types of skin diseases exist that go away with time and medications.   Here is a list of the most common ones:

ACNE - This is a common skin condition where the hair follicles on the skin become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. These appear as the raised red bumps that may or may not be painful. The three types of acne include - pimples, blackheads, whiteheads.

WARTS - Warts are fleshy, raised bumps present on the skin that occur due to human papillomavirus (viral connection caused due to skin-to-skin contact). They are rough in texture and look like overgrown skin, which makes the affected part look ugly.

COLD SORES - Cold sore is also known as fever blisters that are mostly fluid-filled. They mostly affect the area around the lips and exist in patches. When these blisters break, a scab is formed, i.e., a protective layer of tissue around the affected skin area.

HIVES - Hives are a temporary skin condition that causes the affected area to form small or large spread out patches. These are itchy and can be mildly painful. The factors leading to hives can be - climate change, food, stress, some kind of illness and fever, medication reactions, or even wearing tight clothes.

Several skin conditions affect individuals for longer periods and sometimes for a lifetime. Where some of these might be related to genetics, some might appear over time.

MELANOMA - This is a serious skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin, i.e., the pigment that gives color to the skin. The reason behind the development of melanoma includes - exposure to UV (Ultra-violet) radiation.

MOLES - Moles, also known as “nevi” in medical terminology, are commonly found on the skin. Almost everyone has moles, which are small overgrown parts on the skin, generally formed where clusters of pigmented cells are clubbed together. Moles may develop with time or can be birthmarks too.

ROSACEA - Rosacea is a common skin disease type that leads to red and rash-prone skin. Symptoms of rosacea include - visible blood vessels, redness, flushing, swollen skin, and pus-filled bumps.

PSORIASIS - Psoriasis is an autoimmune (the immune system attacks the body instead of protecting it against diseases) disease which is synonymous with red, itchy, and patchy skin cells on the knees, elbow, scalp, or torso (thorax and abdomen). The size and severity of the disease varies from individual to individual. The bad news is that psoriasis is a common problem and is incurable.

Permanent & long-lasting skin diseases

Melanoma -This is a serious skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin, i.e., the pigment that gives color to the skin. The reason behind the development of melanoma includes - exposure to UV (Ultra-violet) radiation.

People who are below 40 are at a higher risk of developing melanoma, and women are more susceptible to the disease. Look out for unusual growths on existing moles or the development of new unusually-looking pigments on the skin. If any of these exist, consulting a physician at an early stage is recommended for successful skin treatment.

Moles - Moles also known as “nevi” in medical terminology, are commonly found on the skin. Almost everyone has moles, which are small overgrown parts on the skin, generally formed where clusters of pigmented cells are clubbed together. Moles may develop with time or can be birthmarks too. The good thing is that moles are harmless most of the time and rarely cancerous. If the size of the mole increases overtime or spread in different parts of the skin consulting a dermatologist should be a priority.

Rosacea - Rosacea is a common skin disease type that leads to red and rash-prone skin. Symptoms of rosacea include - visible blood vessels, redness, flushing, swollen skin, and pus-filled bumps. Mid-aged women with light-colored skin are the most prone to rosacea. The bad news is that there is no such skin treatment for rosacea, however, the symptoms can be managed and controlled to an extent.

Seborrheic Dermatitis - This is a common skin condition that primarily affects the scalp area. The symptoms can include - scaly patches, uncontrollable dandruff, and red skin. The disease also affects the skin areas where oil gets accumulated, such as the nose, ears, or chest area. It is a long-lasting disease that might take a set of treatments for skin disease management. Also, there is no assurance that the disease will not affect an individual again as it might return even after you manage to control it.

Psoriasis - Psoriasis is an autoimmune (the immune system attacks the body instead of protecting it against diseases) disease which is synonymous with red, itchy, and patchy skin cells on the knees, elbow, scalp, or torso (thorax and abdomen). The size and severity of the disease vary from individual to individual. The bad news is that psoriasis is a common problem and is incurable. This skin disease occurs in cycles where the symptoms might appear for over weeks and months, recede for a while, and can show up again.

Vitiligo - Vitiligo is a long-term rather permanent skin condition where the skin loses color and forms patches that are recognizable. The patches can spread over time and can affect any part of the body. There exists no perfect cure for vitiligo, which can be discouraging for people dealing with the disease. Even if you manage to undergo Vitiligo treatment in some parts of the body, there is no assurance that it will not reappear. Though the disease is not life-threatening, it causes one to lose confidence and don't feel confident about themselves. People dealing with vitiligo are also likely to lose their hair color at an early stage.

Lupus - Lupus is an autoimmune disorder where the immune systems’ attack on the body leads to inflammation on the skin and the development of lesions that are likely to worsen with skin exposure (photosensitivity). Lupus not only affects your skin and can affect other parts of the body like the kidney, joints, the heart, or even the brain. The disease could be genetic or may even develop over time. Lupus is long-lasting as there is no cure for skin disease. However, certain medications and treatments can help reduce the severity of associated symptoms.

Atopic Dermatitis - Eczema is a skin condition that leads to itchy and red skin. This is one of the most prominent skin diseases in children and can be accompanied by hay fever or asthma, which is why eczema is also referred to as skin asthma. Eczema is long-lasting and can flare up at times while subsiding at other times. There are no successful treatments for eczema so far, however, certain Eczema medicines and self-care can help reduce the harsh symptoms. If the itchy parts are constantly scratched upon, it can cause skin infections, sleep problems, irritation, and scaly-red-botched skin.