Skin conditions and treatment
Skin conditions are very troublesome. They itch, irritate or are painful. And they often make contact with others difficult. More than a million people in the Netherlands suffer from a skin condition. Which species are most common and can they be treated?
There are many different types of skin conditions, irritations or allergies. For example, they can be recognized by:
- red spots that weren’t there before
- bumps, surrounded by a red color
- flakes
- warts
- moles that suddenly look different
- itch
Best-known skin conditions
Acne
This is one of the most common ailments in humans. It is an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands. The sebum can no longer reach the skin surface and it accumulates as a result. When the acne is or becomes severe, it is best to see a dermatologist.
cold sore
These highly contagious blisters around the mouth are caused by the herpes simplex virus. If the blisters come back very regularly, it may be wise to have the doctor look at it. You should also be very careful with babies: a herpes infection can be dangerous for them.
Warts
These callused spots on the skin of the hands and feet are actually small harmless tumors. They are very common, especially in childhood and almost always disappear on their own. If a wart lasts longer than a year, it is wise to contact your doctor.
Psoriasis
This is a chronic skin disease, which affects about 1 in 35 Dutch people. The disease is recognizable by the red skin with thick white flakes. It is caused by a skin growth disorder. Treatment by a dermatologist is necessary.
Skin irritations
Skin irritations are minor skin conditions that are not harmful to health. Examples are:
-
eczema
-
athlete’s foot
Skin irritations can be part of an allergy. Examples of such irritations are:
-
allergic eczema
-
hives
-
nickel allergy
Treatment depending on the skin
Skin conditions are often treatable, but not always curable. It is therefore wise to go to the doctor. He can then refer you to the dermatologist if needed.
Despite the many skin care products on the market, skin irritations or conditions cannot always be prevented. The care depends on the type of skin.
The skin of the face, for example, is very fragile and much thinner than the skin of, for example, the abdomen or buttocks. One-sided diet or, for example, a vitamin deficiency also has a negative influence on the health of the skin.
scratch control program
Chronic skin conditions do not heal. The only thing you can do is take good care of the skin, such as applying ointment several times a day. The most important thing is not to scratch, although you usually prefer pain to itching.
To learn how to prevent scratching, i.e. learn how to deal with itching, a special scratch control program has been set up in the Utrecht Medical Center. Your GP can refer you here.
