SKIN:
Emergencies
If you have a rash that is accompanied by
Headache with neck pain and or Photophobia
High fever
Confusion
Please attend ED or call 999
Psoriasis
Causes:
Psoriasis occurs when skin cells are replaced more quickly than usual. It’s not known exactly why this happens, but research suggests it’s caused by a problem with the immune system.
Common types:
Guttate: Guttate psoriasis causes small (less than 1cm) drop-shaped sores on your chest, arms, legs and scalp.
There’s a good chance guttate psoriasis will disappear completely after a few weeks, but some people go on to develop plaque psoriasis.
This type of psoriasis sometimes occurs after a streptococcal throat infection and is more common among children and teenagers.
Plaque Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis.
Its symptoms are dry skin lesions, known as plaques, covered in scales.
They normally appear on your elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, but can appear anywhere on your body.
The plaques can be itchy or sore, or both. In severe cases, the skin around your joints may crack and bleed.
Scalp Scalp psoriasis is a type of plaque psoriasis. It can occur on parts of your scalp or on the whole scalp. It causes patches of skin covered in thick scales.
Some people find scalp psoriasis extremely itchy, while others have no discomfort.
In extreme cases, it can cause hair loss, although this is usually only temporary.
Nail In about half of all people with psoriasis, the condition affects the nails.
Psoriasis can cause your nails to develop tiny dents or pits, become discoloured or grow abnormally.
Nails can often become loose and separate from the nail bed. In severe cases, nails may crumble.
Treatment:
Treatment for psoriasis usually helps to keep the condition under control. Most people can be treated by their GP.
A wide range of treatments are available for psoriasis, but identifying the most effective one can be difficult. Talk to your doctor if you feel a treatment is not working or you have uncomfortable side effects.
Treatments fall into 3 categories:
- topical – creams and ointments applied to your skin
After referral to a dermatologist you may be offered,
- phototherapy – your skin is exposed to certain types of ultraviolet light
- systemic – oral and injected medications that work throughout the entire body
Eczema
Atopic Eczema
Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a common skin condition that causes itchy skin. It affects people of all ages but is most common in young children. It cannot be cured, but treatment can help manage the symptoms
Atopic eczema can appear in different areas of the body, but it’s common on the elbows, knees and hands. In babies and toddlers, it’s also common on the face.
Atopic eczema can make your skin:
- itchy
- dry, cracked, crusty, scaly or thickened
- red, white, purple or grey, or lighter or darker than the skin around it (depending on your skin tone)
- blister or bleed
Treatment:
Treatment for atopic eczema
There’s currently no cure for atopic eczema, although the symptoms tend to get better as you get older.
There are treatments that can help manage it and improve your symptoms.
The main treatments are:
- moisturising creams, lotions, ointments and gels you apply to your skin and wash with (emollients)
- steroid creams, lotions or gels you apply to your skin (topical corticosteroids)
If your eczema is more severe, there are other treatments such as special dressings or medicines.
A GP can prescribe some treatments, or you may be referred to a skin specialist (dermatologist).
Contact Dermatitis:
Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema triggered by contact with a particular substance.
Contact dermatitis can be caused by:
- an irritant – a substance that directly damages the outer layer of skin
- an allergen – a substance that causes the immune system to respond in a way that affects the skin
Contact dermatitis is most commonly caused by irritants such as soaps and detergents, solvents or regular contact with water.
Allergic contact dermatitis is less common and can be triggered by an allergic reaction to substances found in certain products, such as cosmetics, or some metals, including nickel.
Handling raw, uncooked fruit and vegetables may also trigger allergic contact dermatitis in some people.
If you can successfully avoid the irritants or allergens that trigger your symptoms, your skin will eventually clear up.
However, as this is not always possible, you may also be advised to use:
- emollients – moisturisers applied to the skin to stop it becoming dry
- topical corticosteroids – steroid ointments and creams applied to the skin to relieve severe symptoms
Pompholyx eczema
Pompholyx causes itchy blisters on the hands or feet that come and go. The symptoms usually last 2 to 3 weeks at a time.
Treatment
Pompholyx is usually a long-term condition that comes and goes over time. Treatment can help control the symptoms.
The main treatments for pompholyx are:
- moisturisers (emollients) – used every day to stop the skin becoming dry
- steroid creams and ointments (topical steroids) – used for a few weeks at a time to reduce irritation and soreness
If the blisters leak fluid, a GP may suggest soaking your skin in potassium permanganate solution. This helps dry the blisters and reduces the risk of them getting infected.
If the blisters become infected, a GP may prescribe antibiotics.
Home – National Eczema Society
Ringworm
Molluscum
Hand Foot and Mouth
Hand, foot and mouth disease :: Healthier Together
Hand, foot and mouth disease – NHS
Urticaria
Children