Common Skin Diseases

The largest organ of the human body is the skin. The function that the skin serves in the human body cannot be overlooked. It is through the skin that the human body is protected from the hazards of the harsh environment. We are protected from the ultra violet rays of the sun by the melanin in our skin which also gives the skin its pigmentation. Pigmentation is different in different races; which makes some people darker than others. The skin helps to regulate the body's temperature by sweating, which cools the body. Sweat is also form of waste removal from the human body.

The skin is subject to skin disease if not taken care of well, if a person comes across an allergen or due to genetic predisposition. Protecting the skin from the rays of the sun is one way of preventing skin disease. The rays of the sun are harmful in large amounts and can lead to skin cancer and sunburn. Stay indoors on a hot day or wear a hat. Better yet, you can apply some sunscreen on your way out. Other common skin diseases are eczema dermatitis, herpes and warts.

You are susceptible to getting warts on your skin if you walk barefoot and on wet surfaces. They mostly affect the soles of the feet and the palms of the fingers. It is caused by a virus. A red itchy skin is a sign of dermatitis. Dermatitis is caused by an allergen. If you are allergic to any substance, you need to steer clear of the allergen to prevent a reaction which could cause your skin to get rashes.

The above four diseases are common since they are spread by contact. Other skin diseases like vitiligo and skin cancer are not spread by contact and a person will more often get it due to genetics. Skin cancer is curable through chemotherapy if diagnosed in the early stages. Vitiligo is not curable and is accompanied by depression and other psychological effects due to the effect it has on the physical appearance of the person. It manifests itself as irregular loss of pigmentation on the skin, which advances to other parts of the body thus altering the appearance of the sufferer. It can be hidden by makeup in the early stages.

Living a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent skin disease. Eat a balanced diet and drink lots of water. Avoid smoking and cleanse the skin several times a day. Use moisturizer on the skin to keep it soft and supple

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