The largest outer covering organ of the body, skin is made up of multiple layers of tissues. It acts as a protective layer for the internal organs and systems of the body. Many internal and external factors like genetic, viral, bacterial, inflammatory, allergic and environment hazards are responsible for variety of skin diseases. Some skin diseases are serious and deadly, while others are just irritating. Some skin diseases are mutilating, while others are barely visible. Due to its visibility, a skin disease causes misery, incapacity, mental suffering and economic loss to a person.

The infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, leprosy and the onchocercose are common in the countries in the process of development whereas inflammatory disorders such as eczema and the acne are common in the developed countries. Number of different skin diseases can cause sufferers anxiety, embarrassment, and even a fear of going out into society. Common skin diseases are ranging from the very mild to the severe, so it is very important to learn about all of them. Being able to identify a skin disorder is the first step towards figuring out the best way to treat the condition.

Skin diseases are mainly of four types:

• Bacterial skin diseases
• Viral skin diseases
• Fungal skin diseases
• Congenital skin diseases

Bacterial Skin Diseases:

Staphylococci or staph bacteria are responsible for most bacterial skin diseases. Actually, as much as 40% of humans are carriers of the type of staph which causes diseases. When bacteria enter through a break in the skin, bacterial skin diseases take place. The staph bacteria is responsible for the diseases live on humans. Generally, the infections are result of another underlying condition which makes the person more susceptible or vulnerable to infections.

• Acne vulgaris:
  • It is a common inflammatory condition of the sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands are under androgen control but the cause of acne is unknown. Acne occurs at the face, back and chest and is characterized by the presence of blackheads with papules, pustules and in more severe cases with cysts and scars. It is readily treatable.
• Impetigo:
  • It is a superficial bacterial infection of the skin. They are of two types:
    • Nonbullous impetigo: Caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, or both organisms. It is highly contagious with yellowish-brown crusting. It mainly affects young children.
    • Bullous impetigo: Caused by Staphylococcus aureus. It is less contagious than the nonbullous form, and occurs at any age. It is characterized by blisters.
• Acne Rosacea:
  • In this disease, the face of the skin becomes abnormally flushed. At times it may become pustular and there may be related keratitis (inflammation of the cornea of the eye). The disease takes place in both women and men at all ages. However, it is most common in women in their thirties.

Viral Skin Diseases:

Diseases which are caused by some types of virus called as viral skin diseases. Many of the viral skin diseases are short-lived diseases which come with a list of uncomfortable symptoms. Chicken Pox and measles are the most identifiable, escorted by fevers, a skin rash, and some cold like symptoms.

• Herpes:
  
  • In this disease, the skin or mucous membranes become inflamed due to infection of herpes virus. It is characterized by collections of small blisters. Herpes are of two types.
  • Herpes simplex:
    
    • Herpes simplex (HSV) is also of two types:
    • Type I causes the common cold sore, which is generally present on or around the lips.
    • Type II is mainly related with genital herpes and is sexually transmitted.
    • Depending on the site of initial infection, types I and II can both cause either genital herpes or cold sores. HSV blisters are infectious through skin-to-skin contact and are repeated in some people. HSV can also affect the conjunctiva of eye.
  • Herpes zoster:
    
    • It is also known as "Shingles". It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. The virus lays dormant in the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord following an attack of chickenpox. Owing to one of various stimuli, the virus may migrate down the sensory nerve to affect one or more dermatones on the skin in a band, causing the characteristic singles rash. Sometimes, one side of the face or eye (ophthalmic zoster) may be involved. Shingles may be chronically excruciatingly (post-herpetic neuralgia), especially in the elderly.
• Warts:
  
  • A wart is a benign growth on the skin which is takes place due to an infection with 'human papillomavirus'.
    • Common Warts: Hard horny papules (1-10mm in diameter) generally situated on the backs of the hands.
    • Most will clear impulsively within two years.
    • Plantar warts (or verrucae): It can take place on the soles of the feet and are frequently tender and especially sensitive to pressure.
    • Plane warts are flat, having same skin color, and therefore difficult to observe. Generally, they are situated on the face and may be present in very large numbers.
    • Genital warts: They are often related with other genital infections. Infected women have raised risk of developing cervical cancer.
• Verrucas:
  • They are also known as 'Plantar Warts'.

Fungal Skin Diseases:

Diseases caused by microscopic fungi are called as fungal infections. The fungi stays alive by living off of dead skin cells. These organisms are harmless most of time. However, fungi can become a problem when they replicate speedily. Ringworm and athlete’s foot are fungal infections. Candida is another fungal infection that most commonly affects the genital area. Itching and burning are common symptoms of the various fungal conditions. Some can cause redness on the skin.

• Tinea corporis, manus, pedis:
  • It is commonly known as "Ringworm". This fungal infection can affect the skin, the scalp, or the nails. Ringworm is caused by the dermatophyte fungi - species of Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton. It also affects non-human animals, which may be a source of infection for people. By direct contact or via infected materials, it can spread. The lesions of ringworm may be ringlike and may cause extreme itching.
    • Tinea pedis (Athelete's Foot): It is the commonest form of ringworm that affects the skin between the toes.
    • Tinea capitis: It is another common form of ringworm that affects the scalp.
    • Tinea cruris: It is the form of ringworm, affects the groin and thighs.
    • Tinea barbae: It is the form of ringworm that affects the skin under a beard.
    • Ringworm is frequently treated with anti-fungal agents, which may either be taken by mouth (orally), or applied locally.
• Folliculitis:
  • It is the inflammation of the hair follicles in the skin which is commonly caused by infection. It may be caused by Pityrosporum yeasts.
• Boils:
  
  
  • "Furuncle" is a medical name for a "boil". Boils are the tender inflamed areas of skin that contain pus. Generally, the infection is caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus that enters through a hair follicle or a break in the skin. Local injury or lowered constitutional resistance may promote the development of boils. Generally, these are treated when the pus is released, or with antibiotic treatment (though occasionally the latter may cause more widespread infection).

Congenital Skin Diseases:

• Eczema:
  • It is an inflammatory disease which is characterized by reddening (erythema) and vesicle formation. It may lead to weeping and crusting. It is endogenous disease means outside agents do not play a primary role. But, in some contexts the terms 'dermititis' and 'eczema' are used interchangeably to refer to the symptoms of these skin conditions.
  • Eczemas are mainly of five types:
    • Atopic Eczema: related with asthma and hay-fever.
    • Seborrhoeic Eczema (or Dermititis): It characteristically affects the scalp, eyelids, nose, and lips; linked with the presence of Pityrosporum yeasts; common among AIDS patients.
    • Discoid (or Nummular) Eczema: It is characterized by coin-shaped lesions. It only takes place in adults.
    • Pompholyx: It affects only the hands and feet.
    • Gravitational (or Stasis) Eczema: It is connected with poor venous circulation (sometimes referred to as 'Varicose Eczema').
• Psoriasis:
  
  • It is also an inflammatory disease, in which scaly pink patches form on the elbows, knees, scalp, and other parts of the body. It is one of the commonest skin diseases in Britain that affects about 2% of the population. This disease often runs in families, the commonest time of onset being in adolescence. Sometimes, it takes place in relationship with arthritis. Infrequently, the disease may be very severe, causing considerable disability and affecting much of the skin in the patient. Psoriasis may worsen by psychological stress; the only significant event thought to precipitate this condition is a previous streptococcal infection.
• Dermatitis:
  
  
  • Dermatitis is an inflammatory condition of the skin which is caused by outside agents.
    • Primary irritant dermatitis is the commonest cause of occupational dermatitis in hairdressers, nurses, cooks etc.
    • Primary irritant dermatitis may happen in anyone who has adequate contact with irritants such as acids, alkalis, solvents and (especially) detergents.
    • The commonest example of allergic contact dermatitis in women is nickel dermatitis due to the metal nickel used in jewellery, jeans studs etc.
    • Chromium dermatitis is relatively very common in men.
    • Dermititis herpetiformis is an uncommon very itchy rash with symmetrical blistering, especially on the knees, elbows, buttocks and shoulders. It is associated to sensitivity to gluten.
    • In the case of allergic contact dermatitis, changes in skin takes place like those of eczema develop as a delayed reaction to contact with a particular allergen, which may be present at low concentrations.
  • Dermatitis treatment depends on removing the cause, which is not always possible.

Other skin diseases:

Skin Cancer:

On exposure to certain light rays from the sun and from tanning beds, skin cancer may take place. For many years, skin cancer has been on the rise in the general population and has emerged as the leading type of cancer in men. Skin cancer is preventable. Sun block must be applied to your skin everyday in order to protect yourself from skin cancer. Using a lip balm which contains sun protection, lips should be protected. Tanning beds should also be avoided to protect skin.

If skin cancer is detected early, it is completely curable. The inner most layer of skin is mostly attacked by the most dangerous cancer and it spreads rapidly to other organs and throughout the body. Melanoma will result in death if not caught early enough. People who have light hair, light eyes, and light skin tones are generally most susceptible to skin cancer. To prevent a diagnosis of skin cancer from becoming a tragedy, regular screenings are essential and rapid treatment is compulsory.

Skin Disease & Disorders : Skin Diseases & Disorders from youtube:

Dermatology & Skin Diseases : Dangers of Tanning Beds & Skin Cancer from youtube:

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