Common Skin Disorders

The earlier you find a skin cancer, the easier it is to treat successfully. Both skin self-examinations and professional whole-body skin exams are useful in early detection of skin cancers, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

In this article, we will discuss some common skin disorders.

Tinea Versicolor

Tinea versicolor (see pictures here) is a common skin condition caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the skin's surface.  The yeast normally live in the pores of the skin and thrive in oily areas such as the neck, upper chest, and back.  An overgrowth results in a fungal infection that causes uneven skin color, scaling, and sometimes itch.

Tinea versicolor usually produces few symptoms.  Slight itching may intensify when a person becomes hot.

Causes of Tinea Versicolor

Why some people develop tinea versicolor and others do not is not entirely clear.  The yeast which causes tinea versicolor is normally present in small numbers on normal skin, and the yeast can become overgrown on anyone.

• Dark- and light-skinned people are equally prone to developing tinea versicolor
• People with oily skin may be more susceptible than those with naturally dry skin.
• Most commonly develops in teenagers and young adults
• Children and the elderly rarely develop this condition, except in tropical climates.
• In areas with high temperatures and humidity, tinea versicolor occurs in individuals of every age, and people in tropical regions can have these spots year round.
• Tinea versicolor also is more common in temperate climates during the summer when the temperature and humidity are high, with the spots generally fading during the cooler and drier months of the year. 

Diagnosis

Although the light- or dark-colored spots can resemble other skin conditions, tinea versicolor can be easily recognized by a dermatologist.  In most cases, a visual exam of the skin is all that is needed to make the diagnosis.

Treatment

Each patient is treated by a dermatologist according to the severity and location of the disease, the climate, and the desire of the patient.  Treatments may include:

• Topical (shampoos, soaps, creams, or lotions) medications that may contain selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, or pyrithione zinc
• Oral medications, including ketoconazole—the use of prescription medicines should be supervised by your dermatologist.
• Medicated cleansers, used once or twice a month, especially during warm, humid months of the year, may be recommended since tinea versicolor can recur.

It is important to remember that the yeast is easy to kill, but it can take weeks or months for the skin to regain its normal color.

Actinic Keratoses (AKs)

Actinic keratoses (AKs; see pictures here) are common skin growths.  In fact, these growths are so common that treatment for AKs is one of the most frequent reasons that people see a dermatologist.  AKs also are called "solar keratoses" because they are caused by years of sun exposure.  Note that:

AKs are considered precancerous.  Left untreated, AKs may turn into squamous cell carcinoma.

 Symptoms

Most AKs share common qualities such as being dry, scaly, and rough textured.  Not all AKs look the same though.

• Some are skin colored and may be easier to feel than see. 
• These AKs often feel like sandpaper, can appear in groups and cover larger areas of skin.
• Other AKs can appear as red bumps; thick red scaly patches or growths; or crusted growths varying in color from red to brown to yellowish black.

 AK may range from the size of a pinhead to larger than a quarter.  AKs often seem to disappear for weeks or months and then return.  This makes treatment important.  Left untreated, the damaged cells can continue to row and skin cancer may develop.

When AKs develop, they tend to appear on skin that receives the most sun, including the:

• face, forehead and scalp, especially a bald scalp
• ears
• neck and upper chest
• back
• arms and hands
• lower legs, especially in women

Causes of AKs?

Fair-skinned people have a higher risk for getting AKs.  Also, people who have one or more of the following traits:

• Blond or red hair color
• Blue, green or hazel eyes
• Skin that freckles or burns when in the sun
• 40 years of age or older

Treatment

When treating AKs, dermatologists may use one or several therapies.  Treatments available in a dermatologist's office include:

• Cryosurgery
• Photodynamic Therapy
• Chemical Peeling
• Laser Skin Resurfacing
• Curettage

Some treatments are prescription medications that patients apply to their skin.  If you are prescribed one of the following medications, you will apply it at home as directed by your dermatologist.

Imiquimod can be used to treat a skin condition of the face and scalp called actinic keratosis (AK), which is caused by too much sun exposure. Imiquimod may be used to treat certain types of skin cancer called superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC)

Other Common Skin Disorders

• Athlete's Foot
• Non-prescription drug: Lamisil Cream
• Acne
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Rosacea
• Seborrheic keratosis
• Noncancerous, Precancerous and Cancerous Tumors (images)
• Canker sore / Cold sore

Acknowledgement

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology.

References

1. Mapping the role of NAD metabolism in prevention and treatment of carcinogenesis
• Analyses of normal human skin tissue from individuals diagnosed with actinic keratoses or squamous cell carcinomas show that NAD content of the skin is inversely correlated with the malignant phenotype.
• NAD exists in two forms: an oxidized and reduced form, abbreviated as NAD+ and NADH (H for hydrogen) respectively.
2. Niacin and carcinogenesis
• In addition to its well-known redox functions in energy metabolism, niacin, in the form of NAD, participates in a wide variety of ADP-ribosylation reactions.