Skin rashes are a medical condition where the color and texture of the epidermis changes. In most of the cases, skin rashes are red and cause inflammation and itchiness on the skin. Rashes can develop at any age, though infants are more prone to it. It is better not to neglect these skin conditions and make an appointment with an experienced dermatologist to get it treated as early as possible.
Types of skin rashes
There are many types of skins rashes, most of which appear within a few hours after a contact of the causal agent. Often, the pictures of red skin rashes also help in getting an idea of the severity of the condition. Read on to get a brief description of each type of rash:
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a typical skin rash wherein the individual develops dry, scaly rashes. There are two types of contact dermatitis which are allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis. If you see the pictures of red skin rashes caused due to allergic dermatitis, you will realize that it produces blisters all over the skin, which are intensely itchy. On the contrary, irritant dermatitis causes dry non-itchy rashes, which form crusts or ulceration over the skin surface.
Causes: Allergic dermatitis develops due to contact with specific allergens like costume jewelry made of nickel, poison ivy, poison oak, and latex gloves. Irritant dermatitis occurs when the person comes in contact with industrial chemicals like battery acid, bleach, detergents, and drain cleaners.
Rosacea
Rosacea is another common skin rash that affects almost 16 million Americans every year. There are four sub-types of this chronic skin infection. According to the pictures of red skin rashes, in this case, the patient shows the presence of red, raised, pus-filled sores which show cycles of fading and relapse. It typically appears on the forehead, nose, and cheeks of a person.
Causes: The exact cause of rosacea is still unknown. However, several factors like the presence of intestinal bacteria Helicobacter pylori, consumption of spicy food, and drinking alcoholic beverages may trigger the occurrence of this type of skin rash.
Scabies
Scabies is a highly contagious skin infection that gets transmitted through direct skin contact from an infected person to a healthy one. If you go through pictures of red skin rashes on the Internet caused due to scabies, you will see that it develops extremely-itchy rashes on the wrist, elbow, armpit, and even the buttocks of individuals. Toddlers can also show symptoms of this skin condition. It takes around six weeks after the infestation of a causal agent to develop the rashes in the case of scabies. In most cases, the itchiness worsens at night.
Causes: A mite known as Sarcoptes scabiei, also known as itch mite, is a causal organism of scabies. These microscopic mites start reproducing on the epidermal layer and often go deep into the layers while laying eggs. If you do not receive immediate treatment for scabies, then the mites may grow on the skin for many months.
If you notice any of the above skin-related symptoms, contact a dermatologist immediately and get it treated.
Chronic migraine is a condition where the affected person experiences at least 15 headache days a month. It is observed that at least 8 out of these 15 days are migraine headaches with severe symptoms, and this pattern of discomfort remains consistent for 3 months. Initially, it may not be a frequently occurring episode, however, with time, the episodes may get regular with chronic headaches. If left untreated, this condition can affect a person’s life.
Causes
Several factors determine the onset of this kind of migraine. One of them includes a steady increase in the frequency of episodic headaches. Over-the-counter treatment options that are used to treat frequent headaches stop affecting over time, leading to side effects that develop into chronic headaches. Some other factors that can put an individual at a high risk of developing this condition include mood disorders like anxiety or depression, snoring, excessive caffeine intake, ongoing disturbed sleep patterns, and a history of stressful life events causing emotional or physical trauma. An unhealthy lifestyle leading to an increase in the body mass index (BMI) can also be a causal factor.
Symptoms
There is no difference between symptoms of chronic migraines and episodic migraines. However, the only thing to notice is the increased frequency of episodic headaches in a month. Some typical symptoms of this illness can be observed for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Transitioning symptoms (episodic to chronic migraines)
Diagnosis
A health professional will take a look at the affected person’s health history. If needed, the doctor may ask questions that help understand the migraine patterns. The questions include how and when the migraines begin, how long they last, are there any notable physical factors or triggers that worsen the condition, and where the location of the pain is.
The professional may also ask for a detailed history of other health conditions like anxiety, depression, lifestyle choices that may trigger these headaches, any treatment options used, and possible side effects that could be factored into the diagnosis. Based on the results, appropriate treatment methods will be advised and implemented.
Treatment options
Most of the treatment methods focus on managing the symptoms, the migraine attacks, and reducing the episodes and pain.
One of the treatment therapies includes focusing on lifestyle changes.
Some other treatment options for managing migraine attacks include:
Other techniques include:
Also, maintain a headache diary and note down the possible triggers and the number of migraine attacks in a month. If there’s a notable increase in the attacks, consult a doctor at the earliest. Knowing the triggers can help the doctor chalk out an effective treatment plan.
Preventive treatments and methods
Apart from treatment options that help manage the symptoms, there are preventive treatment methods that reduce the episodes of these headaches to a certain extent. These include using beta blockers and other therapies. One such treatment method also includes using an Allergan product named BOTOX®, which doctors recommend for those 18 years and older. The intravenous treatment method is administered around the neck or the head, where the migraine pain usually affects the person. This ten-minute procedure is not painful and can prevent headaches for three months. The procedure takes place in a doctor’s clinic under close supervision.
Chronic migraine can be painful and disrupt everyday life activities, so choosing the right treatment plan is crucial. Get all the information from a licensed health professional and seek the best possible treatment plan according to a detailed diagnosis.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin. The pigment melanin is responsible for giving the skin its color. Advanced melanoma can form inside one’s nose, throat, or digestive tract. Studies show that the risk of melanoma increases in people under 40, especially women. Knowing the early signs of the disease is crucial since melanoma can be treated successfully if detected early.
Stages
There are five stages of melanoma. The cancer cells of Stage 0 melanoma are restricted to the epidermis, the top layer of skin. The epidermis and dermis, the deeper layer of the skin, both contain cancer cells in Stage I melanoma. Stage II melanoma is marked by tumor thickness and ulceration, while Stage III is marked by melanoma deposits in the skin and cancer spreading to nearby lymph nodes. The advanced stage of melanoma, also called metastatic skin cancer, shows the further spread of cancer to distant areas of the body.
Causes of advanced melanoma
The exact cause of melanoma is unknown, although exposure to harsh ultraviolet (UV) radiation, tanning beds, or lamps has been shown to increase one’s risk of getting the disease. One can develop skin disease anywhere in one’s body. Those with a family history of the disease or exposure to radiation or vinyl chloride are also vulnerable to metastatic melanoma.
Signs of advanced melanoma
An early sign of melanoma is the development of an unusual mole. Normal moles are minor and uniform in size and color. But melanoma moles have irregular shapes or borders and can be larger than 6 millimeters. If a mole grows in size, color, and shape and causes itchiness, it’s best to get it checked. Advanced melanoma may lead to chronic fatigue, swollen lymph nodes or liver, loss of appetite, jaundice, skin itchiness, headaches, and even seizures. Depending on where the metastatic melanoma has spread, one may experience chest pain, breathing issues, aching bones, paralysis, sleepiness, and swelling in one’s legs or abdomen.
Melanoma treatment options
The American Cancer Society reports that the five-year survival rate for patients with melanoma that has spread to surrounding lymph nodes is 66%. Surgery is a common way to treat it. Targeted therapy is another method to eliminate the tumor and its metastases selectively. Alternatively, immunotherapy aids a person’s immune system in recognizing and shrinking cancer cells. Other treatments for metastatic skin cancer include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Conclusion
Opdulag is a standard treatment for advanced melanoma skin cancer. The therapy, given by intravenous (IV) infusions, works with one’s immune system and is used to fight cancer that has spread or cannot be surgically removed. If one experiences any early signs of melanoma skin cancer, it’s recommended to consult a doctor immediately.