Skin Diseases: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Different diseases have different kinds of treatments, depending on what causes them. Therefore, there is no uniform treatment that works on every single skin disease and only consulting with a doctor can tell you the treatment that is the most apt for you. Skin diseases can occur due to bacterial, viruses, and fungi. Sometimes, they can come around due to an adverse reaction to your environment. They can occur in the form of severe pigmentation, rashes, bumps, abscesses, open wounds, and even pimples. When a skin disease is fairly localized in its symptoms, it can be treated with the help of creams. These creams are meant to be applied topically and have antibacterial, antiviral, or antifungal properties in them, as needed. Certain treatments for skin diseases can come in the form of pills, especially when the disease is not localized and presents symptoms all over your body. There are also injections available to help combat diseases. For skin diseases that occur due to external environmental causes, the cause itself needs to be addressed along with getting rid of the disease in your body. If that is not done, then the disease is likely to occur again and again. For instance, rashes caused by insects within your mattress can be dealt with through medication, and by extermination of the insects.

Symptoms of skin diseases may vary in nature depending upon the type of disease or condition skin is suffering from. It also depends upon the underlying cause. Important symptoms may include the following:

• Abnormal pigmentation
• Dryness of the skin
• Open sores
• Ulcers or lesions
• Peeling of the skin
• Rashes on the skin
• Itching sensation
• Small or large bumps, which are red or white-colored and filled with pus
• Rough or scaly skin

Summary: Skin diseases are a common health condition that may be caused due to an underlying health condition. Symptoms depend mainly upon their type and severity. The presence of ulcers, sores, bumps, pigmentation is some common symptoms.

Improper lifestyle choices and certain underlying health conditions are responsible for causing skin diseases. Important factors include:

• Bacterial invasion in the skin pores as well as hair follicles
• Underlying health conditions like abnormalities in the functioning of kidneys, thyroid, or immune system
• Fungal or parasitic infection in the skin
• Any contact with allergens which include certain environmental factors, dust particles, pollen grains, etc.
• Genetics-related factors
• Medicines-related side effects
• Systemic health conditions like diabetes
• Sun-exposure

Summary: Occurrence of skin diseases may be related to certain underlying health conditions. They may arise as a result of improper lifestyle choices or food habits, genetic inheritance, allergens or irritants, etc.

Diagnosis of skin diseases is an important step. It should be done under the supervision of a specialist. Important steps involved are:

• Physical examination of the skin
• Biopsy
• Skin patch test
• Blacklight examination
• Diascopy
• Dermoscopy
• Tzanck test

Summary: Skin diseases are diagnosed under the supervision of a specialist by proper physical examination. Other tests such as biopsy, Tzanck test, patch test, etc. are done for the confirmation of the specific disease.

Skin diseases may result from certain underlying health conditions or bad lifestyle choices. Important measures for the prevention of such conditions include:

• Regular washing of hands with hand wash or soap.
• One should not share cosmetics or personal items or utensils with a person suffering from any skin disease.
• Intake of a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
• Drinking plenty of water.
• Having sufficient sleep of at least seven to eight hours.
• Wearing sunscreen and proper clothes to prevent risks of sunburn.

Summary: Prevention of skin diseases is possible in certain cases. A well-balanced and nutritious diet, proper skin hydration, sufficient sleep, and regular wearing of sunscreen are some of the preventive measures against skin diseases.

There are various methods of carrying out these treatment types. To start with, you must first visit your doctor or dermatologist to determine what is wrong and how it can be treated. It is the obvious first step and cannot really be avoided. Your doctor will either diagnose your problem immediately or run a few tests in case an obvious diagnosis does not present itself. One of these tests will be a blood test to see if there are foreign pathogens in your system. The doctor may even take a sample of scabs or peeling skin if you have any to get it tested. Once the problem is diagnosed, the treatment can be administered. If you have eczema, then your treatment will be largely experimental as there is no specific cure for it. You may be given an option of creams to try applying onto your skin, be advised to get mud packs at spas to soothe the irritation on your skin, and even administered cortisol injections topically to get rid of the inflammation on the surface of your skin. With eczema, it’s really more of a trial and error procedure to see what works and what doesn’t. Most other skin diseases have specific treatments. A cream, a set of medication, or a change in your diet or lifestyle can help you combat the symptoms that you are suffering from. Your doctor will let you know about the specific dosage that you may require and the correct way to use your medication, depending on what you have.

Anyone who has been suffering from a skin disease persistently is eligible to get it checked out and diagnosed by a professional for a viable treatment. Skin diseases are often highly intolerable due to the constant itching or burning that may accompany them, and they are also usually unsightly. Seeking help for skin diseases, no matter how strong or mild the symptoms may be, is important and can be done at any time.

Someone who does not have any skin diseases is not viable to use these treatments. People suffering from allergies are also advised to take anti allergens and stay away from the substance they are allergic to. They do not need to look for stronger treatment forms.

As is the case with most medication, there are certain side effects that you should be vary of. If you have been prescribed antibiotics, you may develop a mild fever as a reaction to the medication. This is completely normal as antibiotics do tend to raise the temperature of the body a little bit. Furthermore, if you are allergic to specific ingredients that are used in medicine or as medicine, such as penicillin (which is quite common in most pain relief drugs), you should mention it to your doctor as you may end up developing an allergy.

There are no specific post treatment guidelines for skin diseases. If your diseases are caused due to environmental factors you will be advised to remove those factors from your life. Similarly, if your diseases are basically an allergy, you will be asked to avoid contact with the material that you are allergic to. People suffering from eczema are usually advised to wear long sleeves to minimize exposure to the sun. People suffering from acne will be asked to avoid certain types of food or make certain changes in their lifestyle to prevent massive breakouts. Apart from this, there are no specific guidelines.

Depending on the severity of the problem, it can take anywhere between 5-14 days for you to fully recover from your skin disease. If you use your medication the way it is intended and follow all the instructions given to you by your doctor, you should be cured of your skin problems in no time. Being irregular with your medication can tamper with the results and also with your overall recovery period. Eczema is a lifelong ailment and one does not truly recover from it.

Ointments and creams are fairly affordable in India. They range in prices from Rs 50 – Rs 200, depending on the brand of the cream and the type of cream that you are using. The price also depends on the size of the tubing and the strength of the dosage that has been prescribed to you. Oral medications also cost anywhere between Rs 50 – Rs 100 for a single leaf. Cortisol injections cost between Rs 50 to Rs 100 per the dosage that is administered.

A healthy diet is important to prevent skin diseases. The foods we eat affect the whole body's physiology, including the skin. Important food items to be preferred against skin diseases may include:

• Fatty fishes: Being rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, fatty acids are important for maintaining healthy skin. Omega -3 fatty acids keep the skin well hydrated, moisturized, and firm while vitamin E protects the skin from damage.
• Avocados: These are rich in healthy fats which are essential to keep the skin flexible as well as moisturized.
• Walnuts: Being a good source of essential fats, zinc, selenium, vitamin E, and proteins, walnuts help to keep our skin young and healthy.
• Sunflower seeds: Being rich in antioxidants, they protect the skin from harmful actions of the free radicals.
• Sweet potatoes: They protect our skin from harmful sun rays being rich in beta-carotene.

Summary: Our skin health is affected by the food items we eat. Omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, antioxidants, etc. are some important nutrients essential for maintaining healthy and firm skin.

Not all cases of skin diseases require urgent medical care and treatment. Normal and mild cases, accompanied by symptoms like rashes, itching, scaling, drying, etc. do not require medical consultation.

These can be controlled and managed at home with self-care techniques and home remedies. However, there are certain cases that do require medical care on an urgent basis. Such cases are associated with the following symptoms:

• High-grade fever
• Painful rashes on the body
• Blisters on the skin
• Purple spots on hands as well as feet
• Joint pain, headaches, sore throat, etc.

Summary: Certain cases of skin diseases, accompanied by symptoms like high-grade fever, blisters or painful rashes on the skin, joint pain, headaches, etc. require medical care and attention on an urgent basis. Such cases cannot be resolved on their own.

Physical exercises are important for maintaining healthy skin. They keep the skin younger, brighter, and firm. They benefit the skin in the following ways:

• Increase blood circulation: Exercises enhance blood circulation in the body which helps to provide enough nourishment to the skin cells. Thus, they keep the skin vital. An increased blood flow also carries away the waste products including free radicals from the cells.
• Stress reduction: Exercises are known to minimize stress. Stress is responsible for causing various skin conditions such as eczema and acne. These conditions are relieved by the stress-relieving effects of exercises.
• Toning of the skin: Regular physical exercises help to tone the muscles, thus making skin firm and wrinkle-free.

Some common forms of exercises which we can prefer to get healthy skin may include:

• Aerobics: These include jogging, swimming, cycling, etc.
• Walking: Regular walking for at least 30 minutes is beneficial for maintaining proper blood circulation.
• Yoga: Specific yoga poses are important for getting healthy skin and body.

Summary: Physical exercises benefit our skin in a number of ways such as by improving blood circulation, reducing stress levels, and toning the facial muscles. Common forms of exercises preferred for skin wellness include aerobics, walking, yoga, etc.

Skin diseases can be treated with the application of certain medicines. These can be categorized as:

• Topical medications:

  Topical medications mainly include:

  • Antibacterials: Prevent infections. Examples are clindamycin, mupirocin, etc.
  • Anthralin: Reduces inflammation and treats psoriasis-like conditions.
  • Antifungal agents: Used to treat skin infections like ringworm, athlete’s foot, etc.
  • Benzoyl peroxide: Mainly used to treat acne. Examples are gels, creams, foams, etc. containing benzoyl peroxide.
  • Corticosteroids: Treats eczema-like conditions.
• Oral medications:

  Oral medications mainly include:

  • Antibiotics: Commonly used antibiotics are erythromycin, tetracycline, dicloxacillin, etc.
  • Antifungal agents: Oral antifungal medicines include fluconazole, itraconazole, etc. these are used to treat fungal infections of skin and nails.
  • Antiviral agents: Antiviral medicines like acyclovir, famciclovir, etc. treat skin conditions like herpes and shingles.
  • Corticosteroids: These mainly include prednisone. It treats autoimmune skin conditions like vasculitis and eczema.
  • Immunosuppressants: These are used in the treatment of severe cases of psoriasis and eczema. Common examples of immunosuppressants are azathioprine and methotrexate.

Summary: The treatment of various skin conditions is done by the application of certain medications through oral, injectable as well as topical means. Antibiotics, antivirals agents, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antifungal agents, etc. are commonly used medicines for skin diseases.

With certain types of skin diseases, the results of the treatment are often permanent and you will be relieved of all symptoms once you’ve fully recovered. However, certain skin diseases such as eczema and dermatitis that is caused by allergies cannot be recovered from fully. They can occur again and again. Diseases caused by external environmental elements such as tapeworm or ringworm in the skin can occur again if you are exposed to the same elements. Though these are considered to be fresh cases of the disease and are not the same one.

For minor skin diseases, there are certain home remedies or herbal remedies that one can use instead of using medications. For instance, if you have acne prone skin, you can use a face mask made of turmeric and honey. Turmeric has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help get rid of pimples while the honey lightens the scars they leave behind. Similarly, a scub with oats, yoghurt, and honey also helps for the same problem. Using a cold compress to temporarily relieve yourself of any inflammation caused by a disease or extreme itching can also help. Certain types of essential oils that have anti-inflammatory properties can also be used to massage onto your skin to relieve yourself of the symptoms. Lavender oil, lemon oil, and clove oil are good options to consider.