Almost everyone has known the horror of waking up to a glaring-red zit. Acne is the most common skin condition, but it's usually the least severe. Others can be equally embarrassing -- and some can even be life-threatening.
Because skin is the largest body organ, the effects of its disorders are as psychological as they are physical.
Acne, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, skin cancer and psoriasis are the five most common skin disorders, says Dr. Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, assistant clinical professor at Yale University School of Medicine.
Although these five appear at the top of most lists, there is a lot of disagreement among dermatologists about what their prevalence rates really are, Alexiades-Armenakas said.
1- Acne
Acne affects the skin’s oil glands. The small holes in your skin (pores) connect to oil glands under the skin. These glands make an oily substance called sebum.
2- Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata attacks your hair follicles (the part of your skin that makes hair). In most cases, hair falls out in small, round patches.
3- Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a skin disease that causes the skin to become very itchy. Scratching leads to redness, swelling, cracking, “weeping” clear fluid, crusting, and scaling.
4- Cicatricial Alopecia
Cicatricial alopecia is a group of conditions that destroy hair follicles. Hair follicles are the part of the skin where the hair grows.
5- Epidermolysis Bullosa
Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of diseases that cause painful blisters to form on the skin. These blisters can cause serious problems if they become infected.
6- Ichthyosis
Ichthyosis is a disorder that causes dry, thickened skin that may look like fish scales.
7- Lichen Sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus usually affects the skin of the genital and anal areas. The disease can also appear on the upper body, breasts, and upper arms.
8- Pachyonychia Congenita
Pachyonychia congenita is a very rare disorder. It causes thick nails and painful calluses on the bottoms of the feet. In some cases, blisters also form on the palms of the hands.
9- Pemphigus
Pemphigus is a disease where the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells in the top layer of skin (epidermis). It causes blisters on the skin and in the mouth, nose, throat, eyes, and genitals.
10- Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes red, scaly skin that may feel painful, swollen, or hot.
11- Raynaud’s Phenomenon
Raynaud’s phenomenon is a disease that affects your blood vessels. During "attacks," your body does not send enough blood to the hands and feet for a period of time.
12- Rosacea
Rosacea (ro-ZAY-she-ah) is a long-term disease that causes reddened skin and pimples, usually on the face.
13- Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a disorder that causes patches of skin to become white. It happens because cells that make color in your skin are destroyed.