WHAT ARE SKIN ISSUES?
Skin is our body’s largest and one of the most important organs that literally holds our body together from head to toe.
It is one part of our body that we are almost all concerned about - How it looks or feels, how it changes over the years, or how we are supposed to take care of it.
Skin issues can come in the form of a variety of medical conditions so it’s important to first understand what exactly the issue is as there may be an array of underlying issues.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF SKIN ISSUES?
As the largest and in many ways, the most vulnerable organ in the human body, the skin is prone to a wide range of concerns. Skin issues are as varied as the human beings who have them and it is therefore imperative that we take good care of it.
Skin concerns vary greatly in symptoms and severity. They can be:
- Temporary or permanent
- Painless or painful
- Situational or genetic
- Minor or life-threatening
Again, as skin issues are varied in their presence, some common skin concern causes can be:
- Anaemia
- Smoking
- Unhealthy eating
- Vitamin deficiency
- Exposure to harmful UV rays
- Unhealthy lifestyle habits
- Dehydration
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
- Poor skincare
- Bacterial infection
- Fungal infection
Some common skin concerns are:
- Acne- commonly located on the face, neck, shoulders, chest or upper back with breakouts that may have blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, cysts or nodules.
- Cold sore- Fluid-filled painful or tingling blisters that appear near the mouth. Outbreaks may be directed by flu-like symptoms- fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes.
- Blister- Fluid-filled lump on the skin anywhere on the body.
- Hives- Itchy mildly painful small or large welts that pop up after exposure to an allergen.
- Actinic Keratosis- Scaly or crusty skin patch on parts of the body largely exposed to the sun.
- Rosacea- Chronic skin disease that comes with facial redness, skin dryness and sensitivity triggered by spicy foods, alcoholic beverages, sunlight, stress or intestinal bacteria.
- Carbuncle- Painful lump under your skin comes with fever, body aches, and fatigue.
- Latex energy- Rashes after exposure to a latex product.
- Eczema- Yellow or white scaly, flaky patches with hair loss in that area.
- Psoriasis- Scaly, sharp and itchy skin patches commonly affecting the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back.
- Cellulitis- When a bacteria or fungi enter the body through a cut in the skin followed by fever, chills and redness.
- Basal cell carcinoma- Pearly pink/red areas with a sunk-in center and visible blood vessels on the growth.
- Squamous cell carcinoma- Occurring on areas exposed to UV radiation where the growth doesn't heal and bleeds easily.
- Melanoma- A serious form of skin cancer identified by irregular-shaped moles in multiple colors.
- Lupus- Warm, red rash spreading across the cheeks and nose with symptoms like fatigue, headaches, fever and swollen or painful joints.
- Contact dermatitis- Rash with visible borders that appear after contact with an allergen with itchy, scaly skin.
- Vitiligo- Depigmentation on one side of the body with loss of skin color in small areas that may merge together.
- Wart- Caused by HPV viruses, warts are contagious and found on the skin or mucous membranes
- Chickenpox- Contagious, itchy, fluid-filled clusters of blisters all over the body accompanied by flu-like symptoms.
- Seborrheic eczema- Yellow flaky and scaly patches accompanied by hair loss in the rash area.
- Keratosis Pilaris- Patches of red rough, bumpy skin condition that often clears up on its own by age 30.
- Ringworm- Itchy and scaly rashes with a raised border with a ring-like appearance.
- Melasma- Dark patches on the face, hand or chest, more common in individuals with darker skin color and heavy sun exposure.
- Impetigo- Common in babies and children, the rash with fluid-filled blisters are located on the face.
CAN I TREAT SKIN ISSUES WITH HOLISTIC HEALTH TREATMENT?
Always discuss your health concerns with a medical professional.
If you don’t know what you are looking for, finding the right treatment can be difficult. Having healthy, naturally glowing skin isn’t out of reach if you start taking care of your skin daily - starting with protecting it from sun damage and other environmental conditions.
To prevent skin problems:
- Eat healthily
- Exercise
- Stay hydrated
- Keep skin clean and dry
- Avoid very hot baths
- Prevent dry skin
- Moisturize your skin to prevent chapping
- Remove makeup before you sleep
- Use mild products
- Avoid too much sun exposure
- Reduce intake of junk, sweet, oily food
- Practice mindfulness to manage stress
Holistic experts look at your skin health to better understand and address all the factors that impact your skin by identifying your unique skin personality through a conversation about diet, stress level, lifestyle and skincare.
Acupuncture, holistic nutrition and naturopathy among other alternative treatments work well for skin concerns as they can help improve acne, sagging skin, skin hydration, and other major skin concerns.
Have a question about Skin Issues? ASK A PRACTITIONER or FIND A PRACTITIONER today.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog or in any linked material is not intended and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For holistic health advice and consultation, visit https://www.mywellself.ca/.
