What Your Skin Is Trying To Tell You
Skin rashes are common and will often disappear without treatment. Sometimes a rash or blemish on our skin can be an indicator of an underlying health issue. While it can be easy to reach for an OTC cream or ointment and apply it, hoping the rash will go away, this might not always be the best solution. If you have a skin condition that doesn’t get better in 48 hours, you feel physically unwell, or you are concerned, you should see a Private GP London to look for any underlying cause.
With that in mind, we are going to take a look at some common skin conditions and what they are trying to tell us:
Redness of the skin- Called erythema can be caused by infections, allergies, burns, a virus (such as measles), and even liver or thyroid disease.
Flat, abnormally coloured areas- Called macules are often caused by reactions to medicines or viruses like measles. A brown macule may be a mole. You should always have moles checked annually or if they change in shape, size, or appearance at a Private Clinic London.
Solid, raised areas up to 5mm in size- Called papules can be caused by acne, warts, and insect bites.
Solid, raised areas bigger than 5mm in size- Called nodules can be caused by cysts, lipomas, cancers, or infections. A doctor can assess the nodule and tell you if it needs further investigations or treatment.
Red, raised, scaly patches- Called plaques can be caused by psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, or infections. These conditions will often need specialist treatment from a doctor at a Private Clinic London.
Red or purple lesions which do not fade with pressure- Called purpura, petechiae, or ecchymoses can be signs of serious medical conditions so you should always see a doctor urgently if you notice these on your skin. A purple blotchy rash that does not fade under pressure, especially in children under 5 and teenagers aged 15 to 19 can be a sign of potentially fatal Meningococcal infection so you must seek emergency medical assistance.
Blisters- Small blisters are called vesicles, if they are filled with pus, they are called pustules, and if they are larger than 5mm they are called bulla. Blisters have many causes including reactions to medicines, viral infections, diseases of the immune system, and skin infections.
Contact Northway Clinic
To learn more about what your skin is trying to tell you, contact Northway Clinic today and speak to a healthcare professional who can answer any questions you might have.
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