Skin care: what should we pay attention to?

There are many different diseases that can affect the skin. Some can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as burning, redness, and rash. They can also temporarily or permanently affect your appearance, be painless, or cause pain. Some of its causes are circumstantial or genetic, while other skin conditions are minor or otherwise life-threatening.

One of the most common skin disorders is the appearance of a rash -also known as dermatitis, or eruption- of an inflamed or irritated area of ​​skin that can be accompanied by itching. Among its most frequent causes are allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis.

The allergic contact dermatitis It occurs when the body’s immune system responds to a normally harmless substance as if it were a threat, which are usually cosmetics, fragrances, jewelry, among others. In the case of irritant contact, It occurs when a chemical substance damages a part of the skin, with causes mostly caused by cleaning products and pesticides, among others.

In addition to contact dermatitis, a rash can have other causes, such as conditions of the skin such as eczema and psoriasis, infections such as chicken pox, shingles and measles, insect bites and climatic factors like temperature and humidity.

It is essential to perform regular skin checks. The Dr. Monica Maiolinoa doctor specializing in clinical and aesthetic dermatology (MN86473), explains that “a correct self-assessment must consider the color, texture and temperature of the skin. Regarding the first two factors, it is necessary that they be homogeneous and even, without roughness or redness. It is very important that there are no areas with higher temperatures than others. With any of these symptoms, you should see a clinical doctor or dermatologist.

However, sometimes the rash is a sign of a more serious condition and should be checked by a health professional. “An alert indicator is if, over the hours, the lesions become blisters, presenting intense itching or pain,” declares the Dr. Maiolino.

A case to take into account is that of Herpes Zoster, better known as shingles, which has become very relevant in recent months. People who suffer from it or think they may have it should see their doctor as soon as possible to obtain the proper diagnosis and treatment, avoiding home remedies that may predispose to superinfection of the lesions.

To differentiate Herpes Zoster from any other skin condition, we must recognize that “it starts as small blisters that join in a linear fashion on the body or face, generally on one side, and usually presents a lot of pain and itching, which keeps the disease still cured” comments the Dr. Maiolino. He also adds that “other rashes, different from Herpes Zoster, are not painful and appear more loosely, without following any pattern.”

Diagnosed early, Herpes Zoster can be treated with antiviral or anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and prevent complications. To be effective, treatment must be started as soon as possible after the rash appears. However, today there are options that prevent the activation of the virus and the development of Herpes Zoster.

“The most frequent complication that develops with respect to Herpes Zoster is postherpetic neuralgia, a pain that persists even after the blisters have disappeared. Another complication is infections due to scratching. In some cases, vision can also be affected due to alterations in the optic nerve and, in other more extreme cases, in the brain”, explains the specialist.

Prevention is essential, especially in patients with diseases or immunosuppressive treatments or those over 50 years of age, who are the most likely to develop the disease.

That is why it is important to consult with the family doctor about vaccination as part of active self-care and healthy behaviors, and to visit him in the event of any skin alteration that has been detected in the self-assessment.