Skin protects the rest of your body from the outside world. It weighs from 6 to 9 pounds and covers about 2 square yards of surface area, making it the body's largest organ. It's the body's first line of defense against bacteria and viruses. When skin comes under attack, whether it's from the sun, dry weather or bacteria, the resulting diseases can impact other parts of the body or even cause death. Luckily, most of these common skin diseases are treatable.
Acne
The National Institutes of Health estimates that 80 percent of all people develop acne during their lifetime. The disease is caused when bacteria grow in the tubes that connect your pores (the small holes in your skin) to the oil glands under the skin. A pimple forms, and scarring can result if treatment isn't sought in the early stages of the disease.
Eczema
While acne usually gets milder or disappears after a person passes through puberty, eczema is a long-term condition. It may affect the face, hands, feet, elbows and area behind the knees with itchy, dry skin and rashes. The disease is thought to run in families and can be caused by hay fever and allergies. According to Yale University, people with eczema can get into an "itch-scratch cycle." The disease starts with itching and redness. Scratching the site leaves the skin dry and scaly. The scratching then causes more itching. People with eczema are also often sensitive to fabric softeners, wool clothing and cold, dry weather.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis can be hard to diagnose, because it acts like other skin diseases, especially eczema. It causes patches of thick, red skin with scaling and swelling. The itchy, sore patches can affect the same parts of the body as eczema, plus the scalp, lower back, buttocks, groin, palms, legs and soles of the feet. It is an inherited condition and has been linked to certain types of arthritis. Stress, skin traumas, infections and low calcium levels can cause psoriasis outbreaks.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a skin infection usually caused by staphylococcal bacteria (a staph infection). Children between the ages of 2 and 6 are most likely to get impetigo when bacteria enter the skin through insect bites, cuts or scratches. The reddish sores come in two types: large blisters and blisters that form crusts. It is contagious, so good hygiene is important if you have impetigo.
Melanoma
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that can be life-threatening if not treated. It's the type of cancer that involves changes to moles on the skin. Changes to look for include an irregular border to the mole, uneven shades in color, an increase in size and asymmetry--the shape of one part of the mole doesn't match the other part.
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