What Is Paleness?

Paleness (pallor in Latin) is abnormal loss of color from normal skin or mucous membranes due to reduced amount of the blood in the skin arteries.

Paleness should be distinguished from other causes of prominent white skin:

• Fair skin is genetically determined skin hue with low concentration of skin pigment (melanin) in the skin. This skin hue is common in people in north European countries (Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Scandinavian countries).
• Absence of skin tan from sun avoidance.
• Myxedema (in hypothyroidism) – swelling of under-skin tissues causes pale appearance of the skin.
• Albinism is a rare genetic disorder with partial or complete lack of melanin in the skin, hair and iris of the eye. Affected persons have white skin and hair, and red iris.
• Vitiligo is a patchy loss of skin color due to destruction of pigment cells (melanocytes) from an unknown cause.

continue reading Pallor – Causes of Pale Skin or Paleness

An armpit fungus is a ringworm infection which occurs on the skin of the axilla (armpit) causing itching, burning and darkening of the skin under the arms. Similar to fungal infections on other areas of the body, an armpit fungus can be persistent given the high moisture content (due to armpit sweat), low light (covered by clothing) and warmth (due to body heat).

What Causes an Armpit Fungus?

An armpit fungus is caused by skin fungi,  usually skin molds or dermatophytes, that consume the superficial layers of the skin. Medically, a skin mold is referred to as a tinea infection and a fungal infection of the armpit is known as tinea axillaris. However most armpit fungal infections may extend beyond just the area of the armpit to surrounding skin and it is common to refer to the infection as tinea corporis (fungal infection on the body) involving the axillae. A skin yeast or cutaneous candidiasis may also be responsible.

continue reading Armpit Fungus – Sweat, Irritation & Perfume Allergy

Tingling or Numb Lips

Lip tingling is abnormal feeling, and lip numbness is decreased or absent feeling in the lip. Both sensations, medically called paresthesia, arise from conditions affecting sensory nerves in the lips, but usually not from neurological diseases. Skin diseases also rarely cause tingling or numbness but rather itch, burning or pain in the lips.

Main causes of tingling and numb lips are listed below.

continue reading Causes of Tingling or Numb Lips

Bottom Itch

A bottom itch may arise from:

• The buttocks
• The buttock crease
• The groin or inner thighs
• The anus – anal mucosa and surrounding skin
• The rectum

continue reading Itchy Bottom

Hypertrichosis is the excessive growth of hair on certain parts of the body (localized) or throughout the body (generalized). This excessive hair growth is either due to the increased length of the hair or greater density of hair on the affected area of the body. Hypertrichosis is not the same as hirsutism, where the hair growth on women is typical of male pattern hair growth on the body, due to androgens (male sex hormones).

In hypertrichosis, the excessive hair growth may be due to any type of hair including the lanugo, vellus or terminal hair type. Lanugo is the fine downy hair seen in newborns and usually shed within the first year of life. Vellus hair continues through childhood and increases in density after puberty. Vellus hair is also fine hair but thicker than lanugo and usually shorter and thinner than terminal hair. Terminal hair is the thick type of hair which occurs on the pubic region and axillae (armpits) of both men and women. Terminal hair may also occur on the mustache or beard area, chest, legs, hands and sometimes back of men.

continue reading What is Hypertrichosis? Excessive Body Hair Growth

Miliaria is an itchy skin condition, usually with eruptions, caused by retained body sweat (perspiration). This condition is also known by many common names, including prickly heat, heat rash or heat pimples and sweat itch. The rash that may present in miliaria ranges from fine papules (small solid pimples), to fluid filled vesicles or severe skin redness, with an itching sensation. Miliaria is often confused with urticaria (hives) but is usually seen after strenuous physical activity or in hot, humid conditions, when sweat is usually produced.

In miliaria, the duct of the sweat glands are obstructed or inflamed and this prevents sweat from exiting onto the skin through the pores. The sweat is retained within the skin and this causes significant irritation and a prickling sensation. Not all sweat gland ducts are obstructed in miliaria and perspiration may still be present but the affected areas usually have less sweat or none at all. Miliaria usually does not involve the entire body and the face, chest, back, shoulders and arms are usually the areas most often affected.

continue reading Miliaria – Sweat Itch or Prickly Heat Rash

A ringworm is a superficial fungal infection of the skin that causes mild irritation, itching and cracking of the skin. A skin fungus is commonly called a ringworm due to the round or oval shape of the skin lesion with a red raised border. While a fungal infection of the skin can be treated, it often returns, especially in certain seasons.

Ringworm Causes

A fungus is a parasite that consumes dead matter and there are two types of fungi that may infiltrate the body’s tissues.

1. Dermatophytes or molds
2. Candida or yeasts

continue reading Ringworm Fungal Infections – Skin Fungus

What is Hirsutism?

Hirsutism is the excessive growth of thick hair, particularly on areas of the body not commonly seen in women. The hair growth in hirsutism is typical of male hair growth patterns, affecting the face (moustache/mustache or beard), chest, abdomen or back. While most women may have fine hair on these parts of the body, in hirsutism, the type of hair growth is usually associated with androgenic hair growth (hair as a result of high levels of male hormones, androgens).

Excessive Body Hair in Women & Men

Hair growth and distribution may vary among different ethnic groups but thick female facial hair, the presence of a visible mustache or beard in women, are considered to be uncharacteristic of the female gender. Hair growth is primarily dependent on the sex hormones, androgens and estrogen. Androgens, like testosterone are usually responsible for thicker hair while the female sex hormones like estrogen are responsible for fine hair.

continue reading Causes of Female Facial Hair, Beard – Hirsutism in Women

What Is Folliculitis?

Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicles, from which the hair grow. Folliculitis is not the same as acne (Picture 1). Acne primarily involve only oil (sebaceus) glands that are clogged with oil (sebum) and shed skin cells. Acne may subsequently get infected and affect the whole hair follicle, though.

Folliculitis

Acne

Picture 1.In folliculitis (left), a hair follicle is inflamed;
in acne (right) a sebaceus gland is filled with oil
but the hair follicle is intact

continue reading Folliculitis

What Is Leprosy?

Leprosy is a chronic infection caused by bacterium Mycobacterium leprae that usually affects skin, peripheral nerves (usually in the limbs and face), upper airways and eyes. Another name for leprosy is Hansen’s disease (after Dr. G.A. Hansen who discovered it in 1873) (1).

The first sign of a disease is usually one or more discolored patches of the skin with reduced sensibility. Later, disfiguring plaques and nodules may appear. Because of damaged nerves in the limbs, affected person may lose a sense of touch and pain and may not be aware of injuries what may in long term lead to permanent damage of limbs.

continue reading What Is Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease): Cause, Facts, Epidemiology