The skin is the largest organ on the body, report doctors at the National Institutes of Health. The six to nine pounds of skin on the body require care and consideration because the skin protects the internal organs from viruses and bacteria that can cause infections. The skin also helps to regulate body temperature. Severe skin problems can cause unsightly rashes and marks as well as systemic problems that require more intensive therapy.
Infection
Dry, cracked skin left untreated, can lead to serious skin problems. Infections can easily get into the open wounds, report doctors at the American Academy of Family Physicians. An infection leaves the skin warm to the touch, red and swollen. Sometimes an infection oozes fluids or puss. Drinking sufficient fluids, keeping the air moist and using moisturizers are some ways to avoid dry skin that can lead to infections. Creams that contain hydrocortisone can help to relieve dryness so that scratching won't open the skin to make it vulnerable. Antibiotics typically are required to rid the body of a skin infection.
Tick-borne disease
When a tick bites, it often infects its hosts with a serious illness. Common tick-borne skin problems can lead to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis and tularemia. After the tick bite, a rash can appear on the arms and legs, and possibly the hands and feet. Initial symptoms following a bite also include flu-like symptoms such as nausea, fever, chills and body aches. Antibiotics usually are used to treat tick-borne skin problems.
Lupus
Lupus is an immune disorder that often is first diagnosed because of unusual skin problems. In addition to other medical symptoms like persistent fatigue and stiff joints, common skin rashes that could indicate lupus include a rash on the face in the shape of a butterfly or round, scaly red patches on various parts of the body and ulcers on the skin in the nose and mouth. There are a number of factors that can lead to lupus that mainly strikes those who are genetically disposed to the condition. Lupus primarily affects women and can be triggered by stress or an infection. There is no cure for lupus, but there are treatments for the various symptoms that range from anti-inflammatory drugs to immunosuppressive medications.
Carcinoma
A carcinoma is the first stage of skin cancer and appears on the body first as a mole. When the mole begins to change shape, size or color, it may indicate a malignant tumor that must be treated. Signs of skin cancer include moles that are asymmetrical or have jagged edges. If they are elevated with an uneven surface or are larger than 1/4 inch, they may be malignant. Early detection of cancerous moles can lead to early treatment and removal of the mole, report doctors at Skin Cancer.net. More extensive cancer treatment that includes radiation and chemotherapy may be required if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
