What conditions affect skin function?

Many conditions can affect skin function. Primarily by disrupting the protective barrier. This causes inflammation, or involving systemic issues

Common Conditions Affecting the Skin:

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis):
This is a chronic inflammatory condition. This causes dry, itchy, and scaly patches. It weakens the skin’s barrier function. This condition makes it harder to retain moisture. Irritants and allergens enter often leading to secondary infections.
Psoriasis:
An autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, causing them to multiply too quickly. This results in thick, red, scaly patches (plaques) that can be dry, itchy, or painful, and affects the skin’s normal renewal process.
Cancers (Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Melanoma): Caused mainly by UV damage. These cancers involve abnormal growth of skin cells, which can impair the skin’s protective function. If left untreated, spread to other parts of the body.
Infections (Bacterial, Fungal, Viral):
- Cellulitis (bacterial) causes the skin to become red, warm, and tender. If the bacteria enter the bloodstream, it can become serious.
- Ringworm (fungal) and impetigo (bacterial) are other common infections that disrupt the skin barrier. Allows for further infection or complications.
Diabetes-related Skin Conditions:
People with diabetes are more prone to skin problems. Cissues and a weakened immune system, including bacterial and fungal infections, itching. Conditions like diabetic dermopathy or acanthosis nigricans.

Autoimmune Diseases:
Beyond psoriasis and eczema, conditions. l lupus and scleroderma involve the immune system attacking healthy tissue. Infect skin rashes, lesions, hardening, or thickening of the skin. Which compromises its normal function.
Vitiligo:
An autoimmune condition that causes the loss of skin pigment in patches. Destruction of melanocytes, affecting the skin’s UV protection in the affected areas.
Burns and Trauma:
Physical injuries like severe burns or deep cuts immediately compromise the skin’s barrier function. Causes significant fluid loss, temperature regulation issues, and high risk of infection.

These conditions can disrupt the skin’s fundamental roles. Leading to issues with protection, sensation, temperature control, and moisture retention.

This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) – Symptoms
Eczema vs. Psoriasis: Similarities, Differences and Treatments
What does psoriasis look like?
Unlike atopic dermatitis that presents without a distinct border around dry patches.

What medical conditions cause skin changes?

Medical conditions ranging from common illnesses like

diabetes to autoimmune and systemic diseases can all manifest as noticeable changes in the skin.

Diabetes:

People with diabetes often experience skin changes due to high blood sugar and poor circulation.

Acanthosis nigricans: Dark, velvety patches of skin can form in body creases like the neck, armpits, and groin.
Diabetic dermopathy: Also called “shin spots,” these are harmless round, reddish-brown patches on the lower legs caused by changes to small blood vessels.
Diabetic blisters (bullosis diabeticorum): These appear suddenly on the hands, legs, and feet. They are often painless and heal on their own.
Eruptive xanthomatosis: Yellowish, pea-sized bumps with a red halo appear on the skin, often on the backs of hands, feet, arms, and legs. They indicate very high triglyceride levels.
Dry, itchy skin: High blood sugar can cause dehydration, and poor circulation is common.

Autoimmune diseases:

In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, including the skin.

Lupus:
- Butterfly rash: A characteristic red rash that spreads across the cheeks and bridge of the nose.
- Discoid lesions: Red, scaly, and thick “coin-shaped” patches that can cause scarring and hair loss.
- Sun sensitivity: Rashes and sores often worsen with sun exposure.
Scleroderma: Causes the skin and connective tissues to thicken and tighten.
Dermatomyositis: Leads to a distinctive purplish rash, particularly on the eyelids, knuckles, and chest, along with muscle weakness.
Vitiligo: An autoimmune condition that causes the loss of skin pigment, resulting in white patches.

Liver disease

Liver problems can cause a buildup of toxins and other substances, leading to a variety of skin signs.

Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by a buildup of bilirubin.
Itchy skin (pruritus): Severe itching is a common symptom of chronic liver disease.
Spider angiomas: Small, spider-like blood vessels appear just under the skin, often on the face and neck.
Palmar erythema: A blotchy redness on the palms of the hands.
Terry’s nails: Nails that appear white with a reddish or pinkish band at the tips.

Kidney disease

When the kidneys fail to properly filter waste, toxins can accumulate in the body and affect the skin.

Skin color changes: The skin may appear pale, gray, or yellow. A buildup of urea can also cause a white, powdery coating called “uremic frost”.
Dryness and itchiness: Advanced kidney disease can cause severe, persistent dry and itchy skin.
Calcified deposits: Hard calcium deposits can form under the skin.
Nail changes: Fingernails may show changes, such as “half-and-half nails,” which are half white and half pink

Cancers:

Certain types of cancers can cause paraneoplastic syndromes, which are skin changes caused by the body’s reaction to an internal malignancy.

Acanthosis nigricans: A severe, sudden onset can sometimes signal an internal cancer.
Sign of Leser-Trélat: The sudden, explosive appearance of numerous, large, and itchy seborrheic keratoses (warty-looking spots).

Gastrointestinal disorders

Conditions affecting the gut can also have cutaneous manifestations.

Inflammatory bowel disease: Can be associated with painful skin ulcers (pyoderma gangrenosum) or red lumps (erythema nodosum).
Hepatitis C: Linked with skin conditions like lichen planus and porphyria cutanea tarda.
This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional