About Skin Irritation

Having good skin is a major component of overall health and high self-esteem, so taking care of skin by avoiding skin irritants is important. The symptoms and causes of skin irritation are many, and knowing the ways to take care of skin helps to circumvent potential problems.

Facts

Skin, the largest organ in the body, is the primary agent in avoiding infection. Thus, damage or other irritation to the skin should be diagnosed and fixed immediately to avoid more serious problems. Skin’s constant contact with the outside world can lead to a host of problems appearing over many areas.

Types

The skin can be afflicted with many types of symptoms, but some of the most common are pimples, sores, a flushed appearance, red bumps, inflamed areas, boils and flaking skin. These symptoms indicate different things when manifested in different areas; for example, a boil around hair indicates folliculitis, while tender skin around a cut may indicate cellulitis.

Causes

The causes of skin irritation range from hormones to reactions to external stimuli. Some common examples are insect bites, exposure to certain plants (such as poison ivy or oak) and a reaction to a new medicine. Others possible causes include an allergic reaction to a substance or material, a sexually transmitted disease and cigarette smoke.

Solution

For all types of skin irritation, the first step is to identify the type so as to eliminate the cause. For the less serious irritants, the solution could be as simple as avoiding the items or animals that cause the problem. An irritated area can often be soothed by cold compresses or aloe vera, while acne can sometimes be cleared up by benzoyl peroxide.

Warning

If the skin irritant is persistent or more serious, contact a doctor. Skin irritation can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition, so any longstanding irritation should be diagnosed professionally.