Doctors continue to study rare skin disorders to find their origins. While some are created by malfunctions in the body's immune systems, others are created by gene mutations. Environmental factors often are considered when treating a skin disorder. Various tests must be performed to identify the symptoms of the disorder. Laboratories such as the Mayo Clinic perform extensive tests to offer expert diagnosis that can lead to treatment.
Pemphigus
Pemphigus is a rare skin disorder that presents with blisters on the skin, mouth and genitals. It is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects people of Jewish or Mediterranean decent. The disorder can be a side effect of certain blood pressure medications or a sign of cancer. The disorder is not contagious and is difficult to diagnose without a skin biopsy or blood test. Early detection makes treatment easier, which usually consists of steroids or immunosuppressants.
Sweet Disorder
Sweet Disorder is a rare skin disease that creates a fever, arthritis symptoms in the joints and a sudden rash. The disorder is usually diagnosed because it typically affects only one side of the body. The rash, with its bluish pustules, is tender to the touch and appears on the head, arms, legs and neck. Often there is no apparent reason for the breakout, although Sweet disorder often is seen as a precursor to cancers such as leukemia.
Goltz
Goltz syndrome is a rare skin disorder that causes red rashes on thinning skin. Fat beneath the epidermis begins to erupt, forming small pockets of fat on the outside of the skin. The National Institutes of Health funded a study in 2007 that identified the gene that causes Goltz. The genetic mutation causes a deformity in a protein cell and also can cause deformed hands, missing appendages and underdeveloped eyes. There is no cure for Goltz syndrome, though researchers hope that the discovery will lead to a cure.
Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society there are a number of rare skin cancers in addition to the more common melanoma skin cancers. Making up less than 1 percent of the total non-melanoma cancers, these rare types include Merkel cell carcinoma, which is believed to be caused by sun exposure and can spread easily to nearby lymph nodes.
Benign Tumors
There are a number of benign tumors that can create skin discoloration, rashes and other markings. Many of these skin lesions can be malignant, so they should be tested. Most benign rare skin disorders appear as moles and include sarcomas and adnexal tumors that form in the sweat glands.
