For Patients

Skin diseases

Skin diseases (dermatoses) affect the skin and can be caused by a variety of factors. They can also affect the sebaceous and sweat glands, hair or nails. The skin reacts to stimuli from the outside world because it is exposed to pathogens, allergens, cold, heat, radiation or toxins. Often the symptoms of a skin disease are caused by an allergy or stress. In some cases, however, viruses, as in chickenpox (varicella) and cold sores (herpes viruses), or mites in scabies are responsible for itchy skin, wheals and pain.

Skin disease is a common problem for people. They range from minor injuries, flea bites or heat rash that heal quickly to sometimes lifelong conditions. In addition to hives, often called nettle rash or, in medical terms, urticaria, one of the most common skin conditions is atopic dermatitis (eczema), which affects many children. Acne is a common condition in adolescents and usually improves in adults at the latest. Psoriasis is a particularly common chronic skin disease that cannot be cured, but in many cases is well treated with modern medicines. Herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, is a neurocutaneous disease that occurs more frequently after the age of 50.

AT-WEB-32-10-2021