4 Common Skin Conditions — And What You Can Do About Them

Perfect skin is like a unicorn: It just doesn’t exist. And while some people are blessed with relatively clear skin on most days, millions of others experience a variety of skin conditions, ranging from the commonplace to the rare. Here are some skin conditions that you should know about, and how to treat them.

Acne

What it is: If you’ve ever been a teenager, you’ve probably had some degree of acne in your life. Acne is the most common of the skin disorders, and is often linked to hormones. But exactly what causes these all-too-familiar breakouts? It’s simple: Acne occurs when there’s a blockage of the skin’s hair follicles and oil glands. These buildups cause pimples, blackheads, cysts and other skin lesions.

How to treat it: Time and energy. Be careful to stay away from oily beauty products, be vigilant about washing your face (especially before bed and after exercising) and invest in a solution that dries out skin to prevent further build-up. If you’re experiencing severe acne, consider talking to a doctor about additional ways to treat it.

Eczema

What it is: Eczema is a common skin disorder that causes dry, scaly, itchy patches of skin to pop up on the body. It’s linked to allergies and environmental factors alike, and can affect anyone from infants to the elderly.

How to treat it: Since the root of eczema is dry skin, moisturizing is key. So is avoiding any allergens. Common triggers include certain types of foods, detergents and dry, cold air. Talk to your doctor about how to determine your specific triggers, and to see if he or she can provide a topical cream for especially bad flare-ups.

Psoriasis

What it is: While acne and eczema are external medical conditions, psoriasis starts on the inside and spreads outward. You see, psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder, which means that it is caused by the immune system attacking healthy cells instead of bad ones. Psoriasis manifests as itchy, dry and sore patches of red skin on various parts of the body — most commonly on the knees, elbows, palms and feet.

How to treat it: As with other skin conditions, you can manage psoriasis by making lifestyle changes and trying to avoid stress. However, since psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder, it’s crucial that you visit a medical professional to develop a treatment plan.

Rosacea

What it is: Rosacea is a skin condition that causes inflammation and redness to appear (typically on the face and chest) without reason or warning. Sometimes it looks like a heavy blush, and sometimes it looks like red, pus-filled bumps — either way, rosacea is a highly visible condition. Luckily, it usually doesn’t have a severe underlying cause and it is relatively easy to manage.

How to treat it: It’s all about minimizing the effects of inflammation. Try placing ice packs on the afflicted areas to soothe and decrease the redness. Cool green tea, apple cider vinegar and honey have also been known to improve the condition. Stay away from citrus-y foods (they cause face-flushing) and, as always, talk to a doctor to see if there are any additional measures that you should take.