Abnormal skin refers to any deviation from healthy skin's normal appearance and function. This can manifest in various ways, including changes in color, texture, or the presence of lesions. Many factors contribute to abnormal skin, ranging from genetics to environmental exposures and underlying medical conditions.
Types of Abnormal Skin:
Several factors can cause skin abnormalities. These include:
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Infections: Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can lead to rashes, blisters, sores, or other skin changes. An example is the itchiness and subsequent redness, swelling, cracking, weeping, crusting, and scaling caused by some skin diseases, as noted by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).
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Inflammatory Conditions: Atopic dermatitis (eczema), for example, is characterized by inflamed, itchy, and often scaly skin, resulting from insults to the skin barrier (PubMed).
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Genetic Disorders: Inherited conditions can significantly affect skin appearance and health. Premature aging and skin pigmentation abnormalities are associated with certain inherited disorders (NCBI).
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Skin Cancer: Abnormal growth of skin cells, most often developing on sun-exposed skin, is a serious concern. This can present as changes in existing moles or the appearance of new, unusual lesions (Mayo Clinic). Examples of abnormal moles include atypical moles (dysplastic nevi), which have irregular features (Skin Cancer Foundation).
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Other Skin Disorders: This broad category includes conditions causing a wide range of symptoms, such as:
- Raised bumps (red or white)
- Rashes (painful or itchy)
- Scaly or rough skin
- Peeling skin
A skin biopsy (MedlinePlus) may be necessary to diagnose the specific cause of abnormal skin. Visual inspection of skin changes, including close-up photographs (Cancer Research UK), can be helpful in initial assessment.
Identifying Abnormal Skin:
Abnormal skin often presents with visible changes, such as:
- Changes in color: Unusual discoloration, patches of redness, or darkening.
- Changes in texture: Increased roughness, scaling, thickening, or thinning of the skin.
- Lesions: Raised bumps, blisters, sores, or other growths.
- Itching or pain: These sensations often accompany skin abnormalities.
