The skin is the largest organ in the body but ironically many people seem to take it for granted. The skin provides the first line of protection against injury and diseases for your body. Dermatology, therefore, is one of the most critical fields in medicine. Most people first encounter a dermatologist for acne treatment. Eighty-five percent of people suffer from some kind of acne at least once during their lifetime. It currently affects 40 to 50 million people in the United States, many of them teenagers. In fact, more than 40% of teenagers have either acne or acne scars. An unpleasant, unsightly, but for the most part benign skin condition, acne certainly keeps dermatologists at work!
However, there are many skin diseases and disorders that are far from harmless. The following skin infections are very serious in nature and need to be treated immediately:
- Candida: Candida is a kind of fungus that can be found on all adult skin but usually in low numbers. The fungus is known to spread and can cause damage to your body’s organs, including the lungs and liver. People with cancer, HIV, and other immune system diseases are especially at risk for the proliferation of candida.
- Seborrheic Keratosis: Seborrheic Keratosis (or KS) are a series of purplish lesions that appear on the upper layers of the skin. They are typically found on elderly people as well as on people with immune system diseases.
- Psoriasis: Similar to KS, psoriasis is also an immune-system related disease that causes severe red patches of skin, lesions, and plaques. Psoriasis can be treated with creams, lotions, ointments, shampoos, medicine, and injections designed to improve the body’s immune system. Phototherapy, or lighting treatment, can also be used.
If you suspect you have any of these diseases or suspect someone else who does, it’s essential you see a dermatologist immediately. For more information about dermatology, feel free to leave a comment or question at the bottom.