Besides being the most visible organ on your body, your skin is also your largest organ -- weighing about 6 to 9 lbs and measuring about 2 square yards in surface area. Skin diseases can cause significant impacts to health and appearance, and facial skin problems are especially visible to the world. Fortunately, some common skin problems like acne and rosacea can be treated and controlled with topical or oral medications.
Conditions
Some common conditions that cause facial skin problems include sun damage, dermatitis, rosacea and acne. Although they may impact your appearance, rosacea and acne are generally not considered dangerous conditions. Sun damage and serious types of dermatitis can lead to more severe diseases such as skin cancer and infection, which require medical intervention. Your doctor should be able to determine which type of skin condition you have by talking to you about your symptoms and examining your skin.
Symptoms
Symptoms of facial skin problems may include skin discoloration, redness, swelling, itching and, in more serious cases, burning, peeling or skin lesions. Each type of skin disease has distinct signs and symptoms. Sun damage is often characterized by wrinkles and skin pigmentation problems, whereas contact dermatitis can cause red, itchy bumps. Acne may cause redness, pain and inflammation, but usually not itchiness. Like acne, rosacea also causes painful, red skin, but unlike acne, it also involves persistent flushing and is oftentimes accompanied by eye problems.
Treatments
Treatments for facial skin problems vary widely based on the type of skin problem and the severity of the condition. Vitamin A derivatives called retinoids are used to treat various facial skin conditions including acne, skin aging caused by sun damage and keratosis pilaris. Hydrocortisone creams and topical antibiotics are also used to treat or relieve symptoms of facial skin conditions including certain types dermatitis. For more severe skin problems your doctor may also prescribe oral medications such as immunomodulator drugs or oral antibiotics.
Prevention
Sometimes facial skin problems cannot be prevented, because they are primarily caused by genetics or hormones, as with acne, or the cause is unknown, as with rosacea. Immune system disorders may cause other facial skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis. However, taking certain preventative measures, such as avoiding common allergens and irritating cosmetics may help minimize symptoms of people prone to acne, rosacea or contact dermatitis. You can prevent significant sun damage to your face by always wearing protective clothing and sunblock with an SPF 15 or higher when in the sun and by avoiding tanning beds.
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if your facial skin problems don't improve with over-the-counter topical treatments like hydrocortisone or if your symptoms include significant pain, itching or bleeding. Also see a doctor if you suspect your skin may be infected, or if you have a mole that changes in size or shape.
