Skin ailments are the most common health problem that Americans face. Unfortunately, even seemingly benign skin problems such as acne can lead to serious risks if they go untreated. Here’s an overview of some of the most common causes of skin irritation and the potential consequences.
Acne
Acne is the most common cause of skin irritation and reportedly affects about 50 million Americans, mostly teenagers. Approximately 80% of people between the ages of 11 and 30 suffer from acne breakouts. Acne skin irritation is usually temporary, but if left untreated it can lead to long-term scarring. The easiest way to prevent minor acne problems is to minimize consumption of sugar and processed carbohydrates, such as white rice, white bread, cookies, and cereals. It’s also important to clean your pores regularly in order to remove excessive oils.
Basal cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. Approximately 20% of all Americans will suffer from some form of skin cancer in their lifetime. Adults that lived to be 65 years old are twice as likely to develop it at some stage in their life. Fortunately, the most common forms of skin cancer are curable if they are detected early enough. The five-year survival rate for people that are diagnosed and treated before it spreads to their lymph nodes is over 98%. Since there are different causes of skin cancer, you need to take various precautions. The most important is using sunscreen to protect your skin against harmful UV rays. Skin irritation is one of the most common symptoms of skin cancer. It’s most noticeable after getting out of the shower when your skin is still dehydrated. Of course skin irritation is common in these cases, so patients need to consult their doctor to see if there are other risk factors they can avoid.
Tattoos
Tattoos are becoming much more and more popular these days. According to a 2012 poll from Harris, 21% of all adults have at least one tattoo. A Pew Research Center study found that 40% of adults between 18 and 29 have tattoos. Since the prevalence of tattoos has increased, the health risks associated with them have risen as well. Poor aftercare can lead to infections and scarring. An increase in tattoos also means an increase in unwanted tattoos that people want removed. Most tattoo removal methods involve a lot of high-frequency lasers, harsh chemicals, or needles, all of which can cause additional irritation. Fortunately, tattoo fading gels like Trufade can remove them without causing unnecessary chafing.
Razor Burn
Razor burn is another very common cause of skin irritation that is caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Micro-cuts to the dermal layers
- Moisture loss caused by excessive chafing or poor use of shaving lubricants
- Shaving body hair can cause it to be serrated, which in turn can cause ingrown hairs and cuts in the skin as they grow in the future.
Razor burn doesn’t cause any long-term health problems, but it can be unpleasant if you don’t take the right precautions to treat it. Here are some tips that you need to follow:
- Make sure that you don’t use a dull razor. If the razor isn’t sharp enough, you will need to apply more pressure on the razor and make additional strokes, which increases the risk of abrasions.
- Don’t shave every day. You may notice your skin feels much less irritated if you shave only two or three times a week.
- Make sure you apply a skin moisturizer after shaving. However, it’s important to wait until the skin heals if you cut yourself.
- Try using an electric razor. However, don’t assume that your electric razor doesn’t need to be sharpened.
- Don’t try to get too close of a shave.
You will notice that the risk of skin irritation will drop considerably after making these changes.
Skin irritation can be serious or benign
Skin irritation is a common problem that affects many of us on a fairly regular basis. It’s usually a very mild problem but can be a symptom of something much worse. It’s important to talk to your doctor if you’re suffering from chronic skin irritation to see if it’s a sign of cancer or another serious health problem.