Common Skin Conditions in Different Age Groups
Skin acts as the body’s primary barrier against external threats, but it remains susceptible to various conditions that fluctuate throughout a person’s life. From infancy through adulthood, individuals encounter distinct skin conditions driven by genetic, environmental, and immune system factors. Understanding these variations helps patients identify symptoms early and seek appropriate immunological care.
What Are Skin Conditions?
Skin conditions are a broad category of disorders that affect the integumentary system, including the skin, hair, and nails. These disorders range from temporary irritations to chronic diseases that require long-term management strategies. When the immune system reacts to internal or external triggers, it can manifest visibly on the skin’s surface; this reaction often signals underlying immunological activity that requires professional evaluation.
What Are the Different Types?
Numerous dermatological conditions exist, but two are frequently seen in immunology practices: hives (urticaria) and eczema (atopic dermatitis). Hives appear as raised, red welts that can occur anywhere on the body and often change shape or location rapidly. They can be acute, resolving quickly, or chronic, persisting for much longer periods.
Eczema involves chronic inflammation that results in dry, itchy, and red patches of skin. This condition often begins in childhood, but it can persist or recur in adulthood. Atopic dermatitis is a common form, often associated with other allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever.
What Causes Them?
The causes of skin conditions like hives and eczema are multifactorial, involving a complex interplay of genetics and environmental exposures. For hives, triggers can include certain foods, medications, insect stings, or physical stimuli such as pressure or temperature changes. In chronic cases, the cause may be autoimmune; this means the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.
Eczema is primarily driven by a dysfunction in the skin barrier, which allows moisture to escape and irritants to enter. This barrier defect is often genetic, but environmental factors like harsh soaps, allergens, and stress can exacerbate symptoms. An overactive immune response to these triggers leads to the characteristic inflammation and itching associated with the disease.
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of hives include distinct, swollen plaques that are often intensely itchy and may cause a burning or stinging sensation. These welts range from small spots to large blotches and may coalesce to cover larger areas. Eczema symptoms typically present as dry, scaly skin that becomes red and inflamed during flare-ups. Intense itching is a hallmark of the condition, and this often leads to scratching that causes the skin to crack, bleed, or become thickened over time.
What Are the Treatment Options?
Managing skin conditions requires a tailored approach that addresses both symptom relief and the underlying immune response. Emollient therapy is a treatment for conditions such as eczema that focuses on restoring the skin barrier through frequent moisturization. Anti-inflammatory topicals are applied directly to affected areas to reduce redness and swelling, and, if secondary bacterial infection occurs, anti-infective topical therapy may be prescribed.
For hives, antihistamines block the release of histamine, which causes swelling and itching. When topical treatments or standard antihistamines are insufficient, specialists may recommend biologic therapies. Dupixent (dupilumab) is an injectable biologic used for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, and it works by blocking specific proteins involved in inflammation. Xolair (omalizumab) is another biologic option, specifically indicated for chronic spontaneous urticaria that does not respond to antihistamines.
Consult a Specialist Today
Skin conditions like hives and eczema can affect quality of life, but effective management is achievable with specialized care. An immunologist will provide a comprehensive evaluation to pinpoint triggers and determine the most appropriate therapy for your specific needs. Schedule a consultation today.
