Like every other body part, your skin has immune responses. Inflammation in the skin often causes rashes and can be a response to infections or internal diseases. This article will discuss the various causes of skin inflammation and how they can be treated.
What Are The Symptoms of Skin Inflammation?
There are multiple symptoms of skin inflammation, including:
● Skin redness
● Blisters or pimples
● Warmth in the affected area
● Thickening of the skin in the affected area
● Raw or cracked areas of skin that might bleed.
What Causes Skin Inflammation?
Inflammation happens when your immune system responds to a trigger or stimulus. There are multiple cells in your immune system that are involved in inflammation. These cells release substances that widen blood vessels and make them more permeable. This allows the immune response to reach the affected area easier.
Some of the possible causes of skin inflammation include:
Allergic Reaction
When your immune system sees something foreign and overreacts, it could result in an allergic reaction. In some cases, this could cause skin inflammation. You can get an allergic rash from medications or consuming certain foods.
Immune System Dysfunction
Sometimes, your immune system may not work properly and could direct an immune response to healthy tissues. Individuals with celiac disease might also experience a skin condition known as dermatitis herpetiformis. This commonly happens when they eat food that contains gluten.
Photosensitivity
This is an immune reaction to sunlight. Certain medical conditions, like systemic lupus erythematosus, can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Bacterial, Viral, or Fungal Infection
Some infections that could cause skin inflammation include:
● Cellulitis
● Ringworm
● Impetigo
Heat
A skin reaction to heat may result in heat rash. This happens when sweat is trapped in your pores, causing a rash and irritation.
How You Can Treat Skin Inflammation
There are many treatments for treating skin inflammation, including the following:
Topical
Topical treatments are applied directly to your skin and include:
● Immunomodulators, like calcineurin inhibitors.
● Corticosteroid creams, which can help reduce inflammation
Oral
Oral medications are taken through the mouth to aid inflammation control and include:
● Prescription oral antibiotics or antifungals for skin inflammation resulting from bacterial or fungal infection
● Antihistamines to treat allergies
Conclusion
Skin inflammation can happen due to an immune response. This could be due to various factors, including an allergic reaction, immune system dysfunction, or an infection. You can use a variety of topical and oral medications for treatment once the cause of your skin inflammation is diagnosed.
