Some of the acute skin problems are:
Cold Sores
They are common skin blisters which usually clear up within 10 days. Cold sores are caused by a virus called Herpes simplex. Treatment usually involves application of the antiviral creams to ease pain and increase healing.
Plantar Warts and Palmer Warts
Warts are skin growths caused by a virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV). These warts are common in children. Plantar warts grow on the soles of the feet and Palmer warts occur on the hand. Usually, these warts heal in no time. Sometimes warts can be treated by cryotherapy using freezing liquid by a skin doctor.
Hair Loss
Hair loss is not something that usually worries people but occasionally it can be a sign of a medical condition. Hair loss could be hereditary or due to illness, stress, cancer treatment, weight loss, and iron deficiency. Hair loss treatment is not 100% effective but certain medications help in slowing the hair loss in people. Other hair loss treatments include hair transplants, steroid creams, immunotherapy, and other such treatments.
Blisters
These are small pockets of body fluid (serum or plasma) under the upper surface of the skin, which is caused by rubbing the skin (friction), irritating chemicals or extreme heat or cold. Blisters heal by itself within a week. A plaster or dressing can aid in faster healing of blisters.
Chafing
It is a skin condition when skin rubs against skin or clothing where the skin gets irritated, raw and reddened, which can lead to stinging, burning or bleeding. Chafing can be prevented by wearing loose clothes and applying petroleum jelly in the affected areas.
Corns and calluses
These are hard or thick areas of skin that can be painful. It usually occurs on feet, toes, and hands. Treatment includes antibiotics if infected and patches and pads to soften the hard areas of the skin and make it less painful. In some cases, a specialist may cut off the corns and calluses.
Sunburn
These are caused by the ultraviolet radiation of the sun that causes damage to the skin cells, which causes hot, red, tender skin, pain when the skin is touched. It is usually treated by applying soothing creams or lotions, moisturizing the skin and taking pain relievers for inflammation.
Ingrown hair
It usually causes red, often itchy bumps where hair has grown back into the skin. They are usually in areas such as the face, neck, armpits, back. Treatment includes using prescribed antibiotic cream or steroid cream.
Pustules
They are a type of pimples that contain yellow pus. They are small, pus-filled sores located at the surface of the skin. They are mostly seen in acne, They may or may not be painful or tender to touch. They usually occur on the face, chest, and shoulders. Some pustules heal in a week, sometimes over-the-counter creams, ointments, and soaps can help in the healing process.
Gangrene
It is a dangerous and potentially fatal condition that happens when the blood flow to a certain area of the body is cut off. This causes the tissue to break down and die. The affected skin becomes greenish-black in color. Gangrene can occur due to injury, combat wound or a chronic illness. Treatment of gangrene varies from person to person. The earlier the gangrene is treated; the treatment recommended would be more beneficial to the person. Treatment involves antibiotics, surgery to remove the dead tissue, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and vascular surgery.
Rashes
It is an area of irritated or swollen skin. There are many causes of rashes and the treatment depends on the cause of the rashes.
Dermatitis
It is used to describe different types of skin rashes. It is an inflammation of the skin. It can be caused by infection, allergies and irritating substances. Treatment usually varies in each individual but common treatments include antihistamine, dry-skin creams, cortisone-type creams.
Pruritus
It is an unpleasant sensation to the skin that provokes the urge to itch. Itching lasting more than 6 weeks is termed chronic pruritus. Cool compresses and cool baths help relieve the itch as well as soothing lotions and creams.
Urticaria (Hives)
They are an inflammation of the skin triggered when the immune system releases histamine, which causes small blood vessels to leak which leads to swelling in the skin. Treatment includes strong antihistamines, corticosteroids or menthol cream.
Vitiligo
This condition occurs when the skin loses melanin, leading to patches of lighter colored skin. It can occur on any part of the skin, but it is usually seen on the face, hands, neck, and skin creases. The white patches caused by vitiligo are permanent, but there are treatment options to reduce their appearance by using skin-camouflage cream, steroid creams or phototherapy.
Varicose Veins and Spider veins
Varicose veins are large, raised, swollen blood vessels that twist and turn. They usually develop in the legs and can be seen through the skin. Spider veins are smaller, red, purple, and blue vessels that are also twisted and turning and can be easily visible through the skin. It can be caused by advanced age, prolonged sitting/standing, obesity, hormone therapies, pregnancy, injury, etc. Treatment includes the use of support stockings, lifestyle changes, sclerotherapy, laser therapy, vein surgery, endovenous laser, and radiofrequency ablation.
Lice and Scabies
Lice are small insects that live on the skin. They are often connected to the hair on the scalp or in the pubic area. When you have lice, it is called pediculosis. Scabies is a condition caused by tiny mites, insect-like animals that dig under the skin. Both conditions cause itching.
The treatment for lice includes anti-lice treatment with medicated lotions and shampoos. The treatment for scabies includes the use of medicated creams.
Epidermoid and Sebaceous cysts
Epidermoid cysts are small, lumps that develop under the skin. These common cysts are sometimes mistakenly called sebaceous cysts. They usually occur on the face, neck, chest, upper back and sometimes on the scrotum. Treatment includes draining the cyst, injecting a medicine, laser removal, usually carried out by a doctor.