Your Patients’ Skin Conditions and Disorders

Your Patients’ Skin Conditions and Disorders Skin conditions can range from being painful, itching, and embarrassing to life-threatening. There are a number of conditions and diagnosis processes to determine the proper course of treatment for the patient. As a nurse, you are likely to encounter many skin conditions in your patients who may be admitted into care for something completely different.

Here is a list of the most popular skin conditions you may encounter: Skin Conditions                               

ACNE ALOPECIA AREATA BASAL CELL CARCINOMA BOWEN'S DISEASE CONGENITAL ERYTHROPOIETIC PORPHYRIA CONTACT DERMATITIS DARIER'S DISEASE DISSEMINATED SUPERFICIAL ACTINIC POROKERATOSIS DYSTROPHIC EPIDERMOLYSIS BULLOSA ECZEMA (ATOPIC ECZEMA) EXTRAMAMMARY PAGET'S DISEASE EPIDERMOLYSIS BULLOSA SIMPLEX ERYTHROPOIETIC PROTOPORPHYRIA FUNGAL INFECTIONS OF NAILS HAILEY-HAILEY DISEASE HERPES SIMPLEX HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA HIRSUTISM HYPERHIDROSIS ICHTHYOSIS IMPETIGO KELOIDS KERATOSIS PILARIS LICHEN PLANUS LICHEN SCLEROSUS MELANOMA MELASMA PEMPHIGUS VULGARIS PLANTAR WARTS (VERRUCAS) PITYRIASIS LICHENOIDES POLYMORPHIC LIGHT ERUPTION

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PSORIASIS PYODERMA GANGRENOSUM ROSACEA SCABIES SHINGLES SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA SWEET'S SYNDROME VITILIGO

Related: All About the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Every skin condition has its own unique characteristics, and under most circumstances will need to be diagnosed by a physician to determine cause and course of treatment.

Common Skin Conditions Shingles- if you have worked with a patient that has shingles, you have undoubtedly seen firsthand how painful and uncomfortable it can make the patient. Shingles looks very bad on the surface; however the surface is just the beginning of the shingles virus. It goes under the skin and affects the nerves, which is very painful. Shingles can cause lasting nerve damage even after the virus is cleared up. People over age 50 are more likely to develop shingles, and there is a connection between having chicken pox as a child and getting shingles as an adult.

Fortunately, there is a vaccine to prevent shingles, and anyone over age 50 should inquire regarding the benefits of the vaccine.

Psoriasis- this is a skin condition similar to eczema. It can appear anywhere, but is often on the legs, arms or neck. Skin looks rough, dry, and red. It can be sore, and embarrassing to deal with. There is no actual cure for psoriasis, but there are numerous medications that help the condition.

Eczema- this common skin condition has varying types. Often on the hands, it can cause very dry skin, cracks, and painful sores. Medications can help, and in some cases a dermatologist uses UV therapy to help heal.

Basal Cell Carcinoma- this is a form of skin cancer, very often appearing on the legs or arms. It may look like a very light colored mole, or just an abnormality in the skin. The only way to diagnose properly is to do a biopsy. Unlike some other forms of skin cancer, Basal Cell is very slow growing and generally remains in one spot. This makes this type of skin cancer easily treatable by removing the lesion.

Melanoma- this form of skin cancer is very dangerous and can spread quickly. Usually developing from a mole that has darkened, or changed shapes. This cancer spreads quickly, and should be treated very quickly in order to ensure complete treatment.

Fungal Infections- this can occur virtually anywhere on the body, including the nails. A fungus of the nails can be extremely hard to treat, and the best, option is to avoid exposure. Always wear flip flops when walking near pools, or in gym locker rooms and showers. This condition can be treated, however it is, often a slow process.

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Skin conditions can have an impact on someone's life, ranging from mild to severe to fatal. Conditions such as eczema often mimic the look of ringworm, which can make people uncomfortable and embarrassed. Certain skin conditions can be painful and unsightly. Proper treatment and care by a physician can help clear up most conditions in a relatively short amount of time. It's also important to maintain proper nutrition. As there is a link between skin conditions and poor nutrition. A multivitamin may help ensure proper nutrition, and natural sunlight in moderation can improve several skin disorders.

Where children are concerned, skin conditions can be very contagious depending on what condition it is. Day care centers often have outbreaks of skin related illnesses due to unclean hands and close proximity. There have been occasions that day care centers were required to shut down until proper sanitation measures have been taken.

Nursing homes also have a high rate of skin infections. MRSA is one that can be deadly if not treated aggressively. MRSA is resistant to many antibiotics and can be difficult to treat because of this. Anytime you work with a patient that may potentially have MRSA, it's vital to follow all protocol to protect yourself. Because MRSA goes under the skin, it can spread rapidly and cause extreme tissue damage.

Regardless of what condition occurs, it's important to get a proper diagnosis to begin the correct protocol of care. Most skin conditions are treatable. A family care provider can advise on the course of treatment. A dermatologist may recommend for a course of testament and therapies to clear the condition. Follow medical advice and instructions to have any skin conditions treated, and be sure to use moisturizers throughout the day.

Related: Distinguished Registered Nurse Carla A. Boutin, RN, BSN, will be

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