Psoriasis Advisor

Skin Conditions

The SkinZinc® System has been found useful for skin conditions including:

SkinZinc® products are also useful for other skin conditions such as:

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes scaly, itchy, and sometimes painful patches on the body’s outer layer of skin. Symptoms can be simply irritating and easily managed with topical treatments, but for those with moderate to severe psoriasis, the disease can be debilitating. Not only is it painful, but it can also cause loss of work and limit a person’s ability to move freely and participate in physical activities. Psoriasis can also have a devastating effect on self-esteem and social relationships.

People with moderate psoriasis are affected on more than 10 percent of their body. Someone who has psoriasis on the soles or palms and can’t walk or use his or her hands is also considered to have a moderate to severe affliction. People with severe psoriasis are affected on more than 20 to 25 percent of their body.

No one knows exactly what causes psoriasis, but it is believed to have a genetic component. Most researchers agree that the immune system is somehow mistakenly triggered, which speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells. A normal skin cell matures and falls off the body’s surface in 28 to 30 days. But a psoriatic skin cell takes only three to four days to mature and move to the surface. Instead of falling off (shedding), the cells pile up and form lesions.

There are several forms of psoriasis:

There is no cure for psoriasis, but many different treatments, both topical and systemic, can clear psoriasis for periods of time. People often need to try different treatments before they find one that works for them.

Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is one of the most common forms of psoriasis. The symptoms are often characterized by raised, inflamed, red lesions covered by a silvery-white scale. This type of psoriasis is typically found on the elbows, knees, scalp, and/or lower back.

Guttate Psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis is characterized by small, red, individual spots on the skin. Guttate psoriasis generally appears on the upper arms and thighs, although, the face, ears, and scalp can sometimes carry small traces of the condition. This form of psoriasis is normally not as thick or crusty as lesions of plaque psoriasis

Inverse Psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis, also called flexural psoriasis, is a form of psoriasis found in the armpits, in the groin, under the breasts, and in other skin folds such as those around the genitals and buttocks. This form of psoriasis appears as smooth, dry areas of skin that are red and inflamed but do not have the scaling associated with plaque psoriasis. This type of psoriasis is often subject to more irritation due to rubbing and sweating because of its location on skin folds and tender areas.

Pustular Psoriasis

Common traits of pustular psoriasis are white pustules or blisters of noninfectious pus surrounded by red skin. The pustules contain white blood cells, which are neither an infection nor contagious. The condition tends to go in cycles where there is a reddening of the skin followed by the formation of pustules and scaling. This type of psoriasis affects fewer than 5% of all people with psoriasis and can cover the entire body or focus on certain areas such as the hands and feet.

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis, characterized by a periodic, widespread, fiery redness of the skin, often appears on people who have unstable plaque psoriasis. Severe itching and pain can occur during the reddening and shedding of the skin. This type of psoriasis can affect body chemistry, causing protein and fluid loss that leads to severe illness. It is important to see your doctor if you have or develop erythrodermic psoriasis.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis affects the skin on the:

Seborrheic dermatitis causes the skin to look greasy and scaly or flaky. When the flaking skin affects the scalp, it is commonly called dandruff. In babies it is known as cradle cap. Seborrheic dermatitis occurs more often in men than women.

Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp (dandruff) in adults and adolescents is usually treated with a shampoo that contains salicylic acid. If you have dandruff, you might start by using one of these shampoos daily until your dandruff is controlled, and then use it 2 or 3 times a week. When you use a dandruff shampoo, rub the shampoo into your hair thoroughly and let it stay on your hair and scalp for at least 5 minutes before rinsing. This will give it time to work.

Dandruff

Your entire body surface continuously sheds dead skin cells. Dandruff is the shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. The most common symptom of dandruff is scaling, often accompanied by itching. Dandruff scales usually occur as small white patches on the top of the head. Dandruff is most severe during the winter and mildest during the summer.

Dandruff is a natural process that cannot be eliminated but can be controlled by regularly shampooing the scalp with a mild, medicated shampoo. If scaling on the scalp is accompanied by redness and greasy scaling on the face, eyebrows, and eyelashes, you may have seborrheic dermatitis. You should contact your doctor if the redness is present, or if scaling occurs on parts of your body other than the scalp.

Other Skin Conditions:

Skin Irritations

Many skin irritations may take as long as 10 days after exposure to appear. The most common skin problems are:

Wearing protective clothing is the simplest way to guard against exposure of your skin to the sun as well as minor cuts and abrasions that not only irritate the skin but also can get infected. Wearing work gloves and safety glasses helps you avoid accidental puncture wounds, cuts, and abrasions. Work gloves are essential when handling fiberglass, cleaning out debris and doing landscape work. Rubber gloves are suggested when using chemical solvents. These gloves reduce exposure to the skin. Clean, dry clothes help prevent skin irritations. Dry shoes and boots help prevent athlete’s foot. Itching, red spots, and minor inflammation can be very uncomfortable. If the inflammation does not go away after several days, consult your physician.

Itching Skin

Itch is a common problem. Itches can be localized (limited to one area of the body) or generalized (occurring all over the body or in several different areas). Itching can be a symptom of an allergic reaction to something in the environment or to a medication or drug. Itching may occur with a rash or other changes in the skin. Itching can be created by fungus infections such as athlete’s foot and “jock itch.”

Environmental conditions such as dry or very humid climates can cause excessive dry skin that may produce itching. Itching is a common symptom of psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis.

Excessive scratching is not good. Since scratching provides only temporary relief and doesn't promote healing of the underlying problem, it is best to avoid scratching if at all possible. If scratching breaks open the skin, bacterial infection can set in. If scratching continues for many months or years, the area that is scratched may develop thickened skin or pigmentation that darkens the area.

If home treatment isn’t helping, or you notice that scratching is affecting the skin being scratched (infection, lichenification, or pigmentation), or the itch is disturbing your sleep, you should consult a doctor to ascertain why you’re itching.

Flaking Skin

Dryness can cause flakes on most parts of your body. It is most common on the legs and arms, where skin is thinner and more often exposed. The causes of dry, flaking skin are many.

Flaking skin is more common in older people because aging skin tends to be drier. Dry skin is aggravated by frequent washing and bathing, especially with harsh soaps. Dry skin is worse at certain times of the year. Winter is prime flake season. Low humidity in cold outdoor air and heated indoor air can worsen flaking skin. Without enough moisture, dry skin flakes off easily.

Flaking skin can also be the result of any condition that causes skin to become damaged, irritated, or inflamed, such as sunburn, allergies, poison ivy, psoriasis, and seborrhea.

Psoriasis is distinguished by flaking over patches of red, inflamed skin and should be treated by a doctor. Seborrhea commonly affects the scalp, usually forming yellowish, greasy scales. Eczema usually forms dry scales or flakes. Eczema can appear anywhere, but in adults it is most common on the hands.

Skin Redness

A rash on your face might be almost invisible but very uncomfortable and itchy. The word eczema is a general term, referring to a broad range of red, itchy rashes, including contact allergies such as poison oak

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common skin conditions. Patches of sensitive skin flare up in a rash in response to certain triggers, including:

The rash commonly begins on the cheeks, neck, wrists, hands, and on the skin over the outside of the elbows or knees. Scratching the skin often causes it to become more inflamed and more sensitive to irritants and to dry out easily.

Dry Skin

Dry skin is a very common problem, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. The climate can make dry skin symptoms more severe. Winter’s wind and cold, dry air, along with indoor heating systems, create an environment that exacerbate dry skin conditions.

Dry skin can affect any part of the body. Arms and legs are most frequently affected. The most common symptom is itching, which can be mildly annoying to severely intense, often disturbing sleep. The most severe form of dry skin is called eczema. It appears as circular, pink-to-red patches of dry, rough, flaky skin, usually on the arms and legs. The back is often affected by both dry skin and eczema. Symptoms of any other skin conditions are often worsened by dry skin.

Scaling Skin

Many people suffer from dry, flaking, scaling skin. Sometimes there is severe itching. It is a year-round problem but more often appears only during the winter months when indoor heat is being used. Dry types of heat, such as electric and radiant, dry the skin much more than heating systems that include humidifiers.

Dry skin results from the outer layer of the skin losing excessive amounts of moisture. When this outer layer dries out, it becomes brittle and flakes off. Dry skin has many causes, including the environment, infections, parasites, hormonal imbalances, and hereditary and dietary disorders.

Dry, scaling skin on the feet is most commonly due to chronic athlete’s foot. This is caused by a fungal infection of the skin and is often associated with a fungal infection of the toenails. The skin often has a dull, reddish appearance.

Psoriasis can cause dry scaling of the skin. Psoriasis appears as small, white, flaky patches. If these scales are scraped off, they can cause bleeding. Neurodermatitis shows as a solitary patch of dry, scaling skin that itches constantly. It commonly occurs on the ankle, and its cause is unknown. Allergic dermatitis and contact dermatitis also cause skin rashes but tend to be more acute.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Eczema

Eczema is a general term referring to inflamed skin conditions. One of the most common forms of eczema is atopic eczema. Atopic eczema is a chronic, relapsing, and itchy rash. Eczema occurs in both children and adults. It often affects people with a family history of allergies.

Eczema looks different from person to person. It is most often characterized by dry, red, extremely itchy patches on the skin. Eczema can occur on just about any part of the body. It is typically found on the:

Chronic scratching of eczema causes the skin to take on a leathery texture called lichenification. Eczema is not contagious.

Eczema Conditions

The term "eczema" covers a wide range of skin problems. Common characteristics of eczema include:

There are several identified types of eczema:

Atopic Eczema

The most common type of eczema is atopic eczema. The word "atopic" indicates allergic tendencies. People with atopic eczema have an increased chance of developing other atopic conditions such as asthma and hay fever.

In atopic eczema the skin usually feels dry. Some areas of the skin may become red and inflamed. Atopic eczema is most often found next to skin creases such as:

Inflamed skin is itchy. Scratching may cause patches of skin to become thickened or infected. Inflamed areas of skin tend to flare up from time to time and then tend to settle down. Flare-ups may cause small, mild patches of inflammation. In severe cases the flare-ups can last several weeks or more and cover many areas of skin.

Nummular Eczema

The word "nummular" is taken from the Latin "nummus," which is a small coin. Nummular eczema is characterized by coin-shaped patches of irritated skin - most common on the arms, back, buttocks, and lower legs that may be:

The cause of nummular eczema is unknown, but there usually is a personal or family history of:

It is a relatively uncommon disorder that seems to occur in the drier, colder months. This condition is often seen in older individuals. Nummular eczema is also known as:

Factors that may cause worsening of nummular eczema include:

The most common sites for nummular eczema are the:

The disease is more frequent in men than in women.

Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema is a type of dermatitis the affects the hands and feet. It is characterized by many deep-seated, itchy, clear, tiny blisters. If Dyshidrotic eczema is not treated there may be:

Dyshidrotic eczema outbreaks are most often located on the:

Outbreaks usually last several weeks. About half of dyshidrotic eczema sufferers have a background of allergy such as asthma or eczema. Outbreak factors include:

If the condition is particularly bad and troublesome, your general practitioner may refer you to see a dermatologist.

Eczema Herpeticum

Eczema herpeticum may develop if eczema becomes infected with the herpes simplex virus. Herpes simplex is the virus that produces cold sores. It is important to avoid skin contact with anyone who has cold sores. The symptoms are:

Eczema herpeticum usually appears in clusters and looks like blisters or ulcers. These are filled with a clear fluid. If the blisters are scratched they may become raw and weepy. Eczema Herpeticum requires medical attention.

Scalp Eczema

Seborrheic eczema causes itchy and flaky patches on the scalp. This is different from simple dandruff because the skin and glands become inflamed. Eczema can also affect the:

Seborrheic eczema usually affects adults aged between 20 and 40 years, although anyone from the teens upwards can develop it. Men develop it more frequently than women. Seborrheic dermatitis may improve in the summer, especially after outdoor activities.

Cracked Skin

Eczema and psoriasis can get very serious and cause considerable discomfort. Your skin can split, leaving painful cracks known as skin fissures. Cracked skin is most often found on the hands and feet. Cracked skin is usually found on the feet, particularly on the heel and between the toes. These cracks are prone to infection. Some people tend to have naturally dry skin that predisposes them to the cracks. The thickened, dry skin (callus) around the heel that is more likely to crack is often caused by mechanical factors that increase pressure in that area (for example the way you walk).

Other factors that can contribute to cracked skin include:

Cracked skin is also a symptom in some medical conditions including:

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis often shows up as:

In adults seborrheic dermatitis usually affects the:

Seborrheic dermatitis is often accompanied by dandruff. The skin in people with seborrheic dermatitis is usually oily. Seborrheic dermatitis is often made worse by:

Rashes

A rash is a change in the skin which affects its appearance or texture. A rash may be localized to one part of the body, or affect all the skin. Rashes may cause the skin to:

Treatments for, rashes vary widely according to the determined cause of the rash. Common causes of rashes include:

Skin Irritation

Skin irritation problems include:

It is important for you to be aware of skin problems. They should be treated as quickly as possible in order to reduce discomfort and the risk of infection.

Chapped Skin

Chapped skin is known as xerosis. Chapped skin is dry, cracked skin can become itchy, irritated, and infected. Treatments include:

Low humidity and cold weather contribute to loss of moisture from the skin, resulting in xerosis.

Itchy Skin Rash

An itchy skin rash is often called dermatitis, meaning inflammation of the skin. Dermatitis is usually caused by things your skin touches, including:

Other common causes of a rash include:

Most itchy skin rashes will improve with gentle skin care. Follow these general guidelines:

Click to see SkinZinc Psoriasis Treatment Success Stories
Psoriasis Treatment Video | No Coal Tar, No Steriods
Save $5 on SkinZinc Psoriasis Medication
From the Psoriasis Psucks Blog | Let's Face Psoriasis Together

Psoriasis Psucks Blog Headlines


Subscribe to the Blog!

Delivered by FeedBurner

Find SkinZinc Psoriasis Treatment on Facebook!
SkinZinc for psoriasis treatment options and information
 

©2011 SkinZinc® Dual Medications

*Dual Medications include SkinZinc® Spray to help eliminate the symptoms associated with Seborrheic Dermatitis and/or Dandruff, and, SkinCylic® Cream to help eliminate the symptoms associated with Psoriasis and/or Seborrheic Dermatitis.

**These results not typical. Individual results will vary. These photos do not represent the typical or ordinary experience of users. They are for demonstration purposes only and do not accurately capture the actual results you will experience. Your results may vary and you may need to use the product for a longer or shorter period of time. Each person’s experience with SkinZinc® is different, which cannot be determined from these photos.