Common Adult Skin Problems

As kids we tend to more often than not have some sort of skin irritation going on. Commonly, children are unaware of potential germs and diseases that are lurking in their favorite hiding spaces, on their toys, food and friends. As a result of not knowing, kids getting into places that are not as sanitary as they should be could mean exposing themselves to potential skin problems, such as rashes. When we become adults, there will still be possible times in our lives that we do get varying degrees of skin problems. However, as adults we are more well informed about how to deal with these problems, how to prevent them, and if we already have a skin irritation, how to control, clear and cure it.

There are several types of skin irritations that are common to individuals in their adult years. Mild to severe skin problems can range anywhere from skin inflammations and infections, to rashes due to allergic reactions. It is important to be aware of common adult skin problems should you need to identify such problems for yourself or others.

Hives: Commonly occurring due to an allergic reaction to a food product or something in the environment, hives are reddish raised bumps or welts that come and go sporadically. Depending on your body's immune system and the cause of the reaction, hives can last anywhere from a few hours to a few months. The welts or rash can be extremely itchy and sometimes have a stinging feeling. Taking antihistamines are recommended by doctors to relieve the itching, but you should go see your doctor immediately when you first notice the formation of hives. It's best to quickly identify your trigger, what caused the rash, so that you stay out of contact with it.

Eczema: Another red and itchy skin condition is eczema, or what is also known as atopic dermatitis. Eczema is a non-contagious skin problem that is also characterized as being dry, inflamed, irritated and if scratched, can leave painful cracks in the skin. If not cleaned properly after cracking, you can get an infection at the site. Eczema in adults will very often occur on the elbows, hands and in the "bending" areas of the arm, such as the inside of the elbow and arm. Since eczema varies person to person, so do treatments, which can be pills, antibiotics, shots and cortisone creams.

Cold Sores: Also known as fever blisters, cold sores are characterized as small clusters of blisters around and on the lip. These small blisters are usually red in color and become swollen because they are filled with a clear fluid. Symptoms that you may be getting the onset of a cold sore can include a tingling sensation or pain around the lips, sore throat, a fever or swollen glands. Triggers for cold sores can be fever due to illness, stress, menstruation for women and too much sun. There is not a cure for cold sores, but if you chronically get them, you will begin to know your triggers and avoid them. Available are anti-viral pills prescribed by your doctor or over the counter creams that you can apply daily until it clears, which is usually 7-10 days.

Razor Bumps: This skin irritation can happen to both men and women. After shaving, razor bumps develop when hair strands curl back almost literally into themselves. This action causes the hair to embed and grow into the skin, forming into irritating pimples. Razor bumps are common African-American men and individuals with tightly coiled hair who shave their face and neck. This can also occur in women shaving their underarms or bikini area. To prevent razor bumps, you should first take a hot shower, then apply a good amount of shaving cream, and without stretching the skin, shave gently in the same direction as hair growth. Make sure to rinse with cold water and apply a moisturizer directly after.

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