Skin conditons & disorders

• Learning Targets:

• By the end of today, you should be able to:

• Describe symptoms of several skin conditions.

• Explain causes of several skin conditions.

• If given pictures, recognize various skin conditions.

Acne Vulgaris• Long-term skin condition characterized by

areas of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, or oily skin

• Increased secretion of oil by sebaceous glands

– Often related to increase in hormones during puberty

• Genetics is estimated to be the cause in 80% of cases

•  The role of diet as a cause is unclear

•  Neither cleanliness nor sunlight appear to be involved.

•  Excessive growth of the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, which is normally present on the skin, is often involved.

Acne Vulgaris

Dandruff• White flakes of dead skin cells from

the scalp• Not contagious, easily controlled• Causes:

1) Dry skin2) Irritated, oily skin3) Not shampooing often enough

• Causes oil and skin cells to build up

4) Other skin conditions 5) Sensitivity to hair care products

Eczema (Dermatitis)• Inflammation of the skin• Characterized by itchy, crusting

patches• In infants, it can develop into blisters

which ooze• Cause is unclear, although it is

thought to be linked to overactive response by your immune system to an irritant

• Commonly found in families with history of allergies or asthma

• Some people may have “flare-ups” in response to certain substances or conditions

• Treated with moisturizers and steroid creams

Psoriasis

• Chronic skin disorder in which epidermal cells grow too quickly

• More serious than eczema• Results in thick, white, or red

patches on skin• Caused when immune system

 mistakes a normal skin cell for a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that cause overproduction of new skin cells

Psoriasis

• Not contagious• In some people, psoriasis can cause

a person’s joints to become swollen or painful

• Symptoms often disappear without treatment and then return

• Triggers for flare-ups can include:– Infections– Stress– Certain medications– Skin injuries– Cold weather

• Affects 2-4% of the population

Difference between Eczema and Psoriasis

• Psoriasis actually alters the way skin cells are made, while eczema mainly increases their sensitivity to the environment.

Rosacea• Common skin condition that

causes redness on your face

• Often produces small, red, pus-filled bumps

• Can be mistaken for acne

• Can occur in anyone; more common in middle-aged women with fair skin

• Left untreated, conditions worsen

• Treated with antibiotics or creams

MRSA• Stands for Methicillin-Resistant

Staphylococcus Aureus• Any strain of staph bacteria that

has developed resistance to most antibiotics (including penicillin)

• Usually start as small red bumps resembling pimples or spider bites

• Spread through direct contact with infected wound or by sharing personal items that have touched infected skin

• Infections usually occur in hospitals or other health-care settings

MRSA• Another type occurs

amongst healthy people– Begins as painful skin boil– At risk groups include HS

wrestlers, child care workers, and people who live in crowded conditions

• Staph bacteria usually found on skin or in nose of about 1/3 of population

• Not harmful unless they enter cut or wound

• Treated with different antibiotics or abscess is simply drained

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MRSA

Impetigo• Highly contagious skin

infection that usually affects infants and children

• Usually appears as red sores on the face, especially around a child's nose and mouth

• Sores burst and develop honey-colored crusts

• Can clear on its own in 2-3 weeks; antibiotics speed up healing

Albinism• Inherited recessive disorder in

which melanin is not produced– Usually inherited from 2

heterozygous parents (they carry the gene)

• Associated with a number of vision defects

• Life span is unaffected by the disorder

• Affects 1 in 17,000 people