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Does your skin itch, break-out, or feel weird?- Not sure what is causing those skin problems? Well, once you identify what is causing all those problems what you need is proper skin treatment to prevent further damage. We all want to look good don't we? In this article you will get an overview of commonly found skin conditions and symptoms and some treatment options.

Some general skin problems

The main skin problems that individuals are generally vulnerable to are listed below.

• Rosacea: This skin problem affects the facial skin area. Rosacea is characterized by pink or red patches on the cheeks, nose and forehead areas, tiny red bumps, irritated eyes and red cysts. This is a chronic condition that is non-curable. This skin problem is not infectious or contagious.
• Urticaria or Hives: This is usually an allergic reaction that is characterized by itchy and raised areas of skin. Urticaria can be flat-topped and in some case rounded, but it is always at an elevated level as compared to the surrounding skin.
• Varicose veins: In this condition your veins are swollen and enlarged and blue or dark purple in color. These veins look like twisted or bulging cords. The skin of people who are fair-skinned usually looks displeasing due to the swelling and color of the veins
• Spider veins: These veins look very similar to a spider's web or the branches of a tree. They are thin, jagged lines which are found on the ankles, feet and thigh and in some cases on the face. These veins are smaller as compared to varicose veins.
• Stretch marks: Stretch marks occur when the dermis, which is the middle layer of the skin, stretches beyond its capacity. Stretch marks could be red, brown, pink or purple in color.
• Cellulite: People who suffer from cellulite have on the surface of their skin a number of dimples, valleys, and hills. This is due to the fat deposits that are present underneath the skin that push the connective tissue.
• Impetigo: Impetigo is an infection that is caused by the staphylococcus bacteria. This bacterium enters the skin when there are problems such as skin cuts, eczema, insect bites, and poison ivy. This infection also develops in skin that is not damaged as well.
• Keratosis: Keratosis is a skin problem wherein the protein Keratin overgrows on to the skin. This happens because the growth of keratin is faster than it should be. This skin problem is of different types such as follicular, actinic, or polaris
• Dermatographism: This is a type of skin drawing or skin writing. Red itchy lines bumps and are caused due to the friction of the skin. People suffering from dermatographism are sensitive to any kind of pressure, touch and scratching.
• Ingrown hair: Some of the most common symptoms of ingrown hair include inflammation of the skin in small bumps that are localized. It is also accompanied by mild pain, itchiness and redness. A small hair that is barely visible is seen in the center of the bump.
• Skin Cancer: The most serious among skin problems is skin cancer.
• Psoriasis: This is a skin condition that usually recurs on a lifelong basis. Its symptoms include the presence of dry, red, scaly skin patches where old skin has not been shed. It affects areas such as the elbows and knees, palms, scalp, fingernails and soles of the feet. Some other symptoms of psoriasis include itchy skin, and cracks that bleed and make the patient feel very uncomfortable.

Treatment: If you notice any irregularities in your skin similar to those mentioned above, it is best that you consult your doctor. A dermatologist will be your best option. Based on the symptoms he/she will be able to diagnose your problem and accordingly prescribe a course of treatment for you. It is also important that you are open to experimenting with different approaches to treat the skin problems that are mentioned. Another option you have is to draw from the experiences of other people who have dealt with similar skin conditions. This generally applies to all skin conditions.

External factors that cause skin problems

A number of external factors might also affect your skin and lead to skin problems. These include factors such as bug bites, wasp bites or stings, bed bug bites, fire ant stings, bee stings, and chigger bites.- Minor skin reactions, and in some cases severe allergic reactions, result from insect bites. Several skin problems are caused by another external factorthe sun. The main skin problems caused by the sun include freckles, actinic keratoses, and irregular skin pigmentation.

Treatment: Bug bites, wasp bites or such other external factors cause momentary discomfort but do not cause any lasting health issues. On rare occasions there might be some infections that need to be treated. There could also be some allergic reactions that could be serious or in exceptional cases fatal. Provide first-aid at home in the case of a sting. If the rash persists for more than two days or so, seek medical aid. If the person affected has difficulty breathing, tightness in his or her chest or throat, dizziness or fainting, vomiting and swelling of face tongue or lips, seek immediate medical help. Prevention is better than cure in the case of sun related skin problems. Use a sunscreen lotion or sun block before you go out in the sun, and also make sure you wear sun glasses and a cap when in the sun for long hours. If the damage is already done you can try out some treatments and products which will help you reverse some of the ravages done by the sun. Laser surgery, skin fillers, and chemical peels are some of the options you have.

Skin problems caused by hormonal changes and aging

A number of people suffer from skin problems around puberty. These are generally caused by hormonal related activities. In fact these are the most common skin problems that people look to treat. There are a number of remedies available to tackle problems such as pimples and acne. These could be expensive treatments which are available in the market or simple home remedies that are very effective as well. Those who are lucky enough to escape the onslaught of pimples and acne in their younger years have age catch up with them eventually. Skin aging signs such as wrinkles, sagging skin, age spots, and fine lines finally make their appearance.

Elderly patients suffer from skin problems such as bed sores, which are mainly caused by poor circulation and confined movements. As a person becomes aged, his/her skin becomes very delicate and even a slight touch will cause him or her to bruise. It is therefore important that an old person be handled very delicately as his/her skin is very fragile and may tear and bleed at the slightest of touch.

Treatment: There are many treatments available for acne and pimples. You could simply buy them over the counter or get some prescription treatment. It is however necessary that you experiment with the different products and treatments that are available and find out one that woks well for you. In the alternative, you can look for a natural cure for the acne or pimples that you have. Here are a few home treatments that can be quite effective to help you get rid of acne and pimples.

The best thing you can do to get rid of acne is drink a lot of water daily. Applying a mixture of tomato pulp, rose water and honey on your face for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off can be quite beneficial. Practice yoga on a regular basis to improve your skin and general health. Avoid touching your face and picking on any pimples you have. Those suffering from acne should avoid wearing excessive make-up.Make sure your diet consists of plenty of fruits and leafy green vegetables and see the difference in your skin. The food you choose should contain the right amount of nutrients that are beneficial for the skin. Your skin's elasticity will improve by following a well balanced diet. Try including at least five portions of fresh fruits and vegetables in your meals daily to delay the signs of aging.

Smoking and excessive drinking are also bad for your skin and may cause skin problems. So try and avoid drinking and smoking and see the improvement in your skin. Drinking too many caffeinated drinks is also bad for your skin as it may cause spots and greasy skin.- Stress is another factor that causes skin problems such as acne in many people. Eliminating stress completely in today's fast paced world is difficult, but we can try and reduce it by relaxing and meditating.Taking care of our skin does not require too much effort. It is important that we cleanse and moisturize our skin regularly to prevent any kind of skin problems. There are a number of treatments we can avail of to keep our skin looking young and healthy.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.