Treatment of Skin Disorders

The principal cleansing agents are soaps, detergents, and solvents (a liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances). Soap is the most popular cleanser, but detergents are used as well. Soaps are cleansing and emulsifying agents containing some type of fat or lye, while detergents are made from petroleum products. Certain soaps dry the skin, but others have a creamy base that is less drying.

Because baby shampoos are excellent cleansing agents and are usually gentle to the skin, they are good for cleansing wounds, cuts, abrasions, and areas around the eyes. Also, people who have psoriasis Psoriasis Psoriasis is a chronic, recurring disease that causes one or more raised, red patches that have silvery scales and a distinct border between the patch and normal skin. A problem with the immune... read more , eczema Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) Atopic dermatitis (commonly referred to as eczema) is chronic, itchy inflammation of the upper layers of the skin that often develops in people who have hay fever or asthma and in people who... read more , and other scaling diseases can use baby shampoos to wash away dead scaly skin. Oozing lesions, however, should generally be cleansed only with water or gentle soaps because detergents and harsher soaps can irritate the area.

Many chemicals are added to cleansing agents. For example, some soaps have antibacterial substances added to them. In general, antibacterial soap does not improve hygiene or prevent disease, and routine use may disrupt the normal balance of bacteria on the skin. Antidandruff shampoos and lotions may contain other antibacterial substances, such as zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, or tar extracts, to help treat flaking skin, eczema, and psoriasis of the scalp.

Water is the main solvent for cleansing. Other solvents include petroleum jelly, which can cleanse the skin of material that cannot be dissolved with soap and water, such as tar. Small amounts of alcohol can safely be used to cleanse the skin before injections or blood drawing. Alcohol gels are useful as hand sanitizers for routine hand hygiene when handwashing is not possible. Other solvents, such as acetone (nail polish remover), gasoline, and paint thinner, are rarely used for skin cleansing. These solvents dissolve the skin's natural oils, causing significant drying and irritation. They may also be absorbed through the skin, resulting in poisoning.

Many different kinds of preparations help protect the skin. Oils and ointments supply an oil-based barrier that can help protect scraped or irritated skin and retain moisture. Powders may protect skin that rubs against skin or clothing. Synthetic hydrocolloid dressings protect pressure sores Pressure Sores Pressure sores are areas of skin damage resulting from a lack of blood flow due to prolonged pressure. Pressure sores often result from pressure combined with pulling on the skin, friction,... read more (bedsores, decubitus ulcers) and other areas of raw skin. Sunscreens and sunblocks Sunscreens Sunburn results from a brief (acute) overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Overexposure to ultraviolet light causes sunburn. Sunburn causes painful reddened skin and sometimes blisters, fever... read more reflect, absorb, or filter out harmful ultraviolet light.

Moisturizers restore and help maintain water and oils in the skin. The best time to apply a moisturizer is when the skin is already moistened—immediately after a bath or shower, for instance. Moisturizers typically contain glycerin, mineral oil, or petrolatum and are available as lotions, creams, ointments, and bath oils. Some stronger moisturizers contain compounds such as urea, lactic acid, and glycolic acid. Cold creams are over-the-counter (OTC) moisturizing emulsions of fats (for example, beeswax) and water.

Excessive moisture in areas where skin rubs against skin can cause irritation and skin breakdown (maceration), particularly in body folds where the environment tends to be warmer and moister. The areas most commonly affected are between the toes or buttocks, in the armpits or groin, and under the breasts and abdominal skin folds. These warm moist areas also provide fertile breeding grounds for infections, especially with fungi and bacteria.

Cornstarch and talcum powder are the most commonly used drying agents. These powders absorb moisture from the skin surface. Most of the many talcum preparations vary only in their scents and packaging. Talcum powder is more effective than cornstarch but is no longer used in baby powders, because it can cause granulomas (a type of chronic inflammation) in the lungs when inhaled. Using talcum powder in the female genital area is not recommended because of concerns of possible risk of cancer. Cornstarch is a good drying agent but can sometimes lead to fungal infections. Superabsorbent powders (extremely absorbent powders) are occasionally required to dry very moist areas, such as in the groin or armpits.

Solutions containing aluminum salts are drying agents commonly found in OTC antiperspirants. Prescription doses of aluminum salts are available to treat excessive sweating Treatment People with excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) sweat profusely, and some sweat almost constantly. Excessive sweating usually has no clear cause but is sometimes caused by infections, metabolic... read more .

Astringents are liquid drying agents that shrink and contract the skin. The most commonly used astringent solution is aluminum acetate solution. Usually applied with dressings or as soaks, astringents are used to treat infectious eczema Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) Atopic dermatitis (commonly referred to as eczema) is chronic, itchy inflammation of the upper layers of the skin that often develops in people who have hay fever or asthma and in people who... read more , oozing skin lesions, and pressure sores Pressure Sores Pressure sores are areas of skin damage resulting from a lack of blood flow due to prolonged pressure. Pressure sores often result from pressure combined with pulling on the skin, friction,... read more . Witch hazel is also a popular OTC astringent.

Skin disease is often accompanied by itching. Itching and mild pain can sometimes be controlled with OTC agents such as camphor, menthol, pramoxine, zinc oxide, or (by prescription in the United States) a lidocaine and prilocaine mixture. Calamine is a common soothing agent that helps relieve itching somewhat and can also help dry out the skin.

Antihistamines, which block certain types of allergic reactions, are sometimes included in topical preparations to relieve the itching associated with allergic reactions. Doxepin is an effective topical antihistamine for many conditions. Because the antihistamine diphenhydramine (common in many nonprescription topical preparations) can trigger an allergic reaction when applied to the skin, doctors do not usually recommend it. Taking antihistamines by mouth (orally) does not seem to produce this type of skin reaction, so oral rather than topical antihistamines are preferred to relieve itching. Benzocaine, an anesthetic that had been used to relieve itching, can also trigger allergic reactions and so is not recommended.

Corticosteroids are the main topical drugs used to relieve inflammation (swelling, itching, and redness) of the skin. Corticosteroids are most effective for rashes caused by allergic or inflammatory reactions to things such as poison ivy Moderately Poisonous Plants , metals, cloth, drugs Drug Rashes Drug rashes are a side effect of a drug that manifests as a skin reaction. Drug rashes usually are caused by an allergic reaction to a drug, but some drug rashes are not allergic. Typical symptoms... read more , eczema Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) Atopic dermatitis (commonly referred to as eczema) is chronic, itchy inflammation of the upper layers of the skin that often develops in people who have hay fever or asthma and in people who... read more , and many others. Because they lower resistance to bacterial and fungal infections and inhibit wound healing, corticosteroids usually should not be used on infected areas or wounds. For acne-like disorders, topical corticosteroids tend to not work very well and sometimes instead induce an acne-like eruption. Corticosteroids are sometimes mixed with antifungal drugs to help reduce redness and itching while simultaneously eradicating the fungus.

Topical corticosteroids are sold as lotions, creams, ointments, solutions, foams, oils, gels, and tape products. Creams are most effective if rubbed in gently until they vanish. In general, ointments have the most potent effect. The type and concentration of corticosteroid in the preparation determines the overall effect. Hydrocortisone is available in concentrations of up to 1% without a prescription (however, concentrations of 0.5% or less offer little benefit). Stronger corticosteroid preparations require a prescription. Doctors usually prescribe potent corticosteroids first, then less potent corticosteroids as the disorder abates. Generally, topical corticosteroids are applied 2 to 3 times a day in a thin layer, but high-potency formulations may be applied only once a day.

Corticosteroids should be used with caution on areas where the skin is thin, such as the face, armpits, and genitals, and on areas of natural skin-to-skin contact, such as the armpits and groin. Doctors usually use low-potency corticosteroids Corticosteroids: Uses and Side Effects on these sensitive areas for no more than a few days to a week. Prolonged use (more than 1 month) in any area can cause skin breakdown, stretch marks, acne-like eruptions, and sometimes an allergic skin reaction (allergic contact dermatitis Allergic contact dermatitis Contact dermatitis is skin inflammation caused by direct contact with a particular substance. The rash may be itchy, is confined to a specific area, and often has clearly defined boundaries... read more ) to the corticosteroid itself. Perioral dermatitis Perioral Dermatitis Perioral dermatitis is a red, bumpy rash around the mouth and on the chin that resembles acne, rosacea, or both. Although the exact cause of perioral dermatitis is unknown, exposure to corticosteroids... read more (a red, bumpy rash around the mouth and chin) and sometimes periorbital dermatitis (a rash around the eyes) occurs as a side effect more commonly with mid-potency or high-potency formulations used on the face and less commonly with mild formulations. High-potency formulations may inhibit adrenal gland functions when used in children, when used over large areas of skin, or when used for long periods of time, especially if used under occlusive (airtight and watertight) dressings Occlusive dressings Topical drugs (drugs applied directly to the skin) are a mainstay of treating skin disorders. Systemic drugs are taken by mouth or given by injection and are distributed throughout the body... read more .

When a stronger dose of topical corticosteroid is needed for one spot or a small area that does not respond to treatment, a doctor may inject the corticosteroid just under the skin or occasionally apply plastic tape infused with the corticosteroid flurandrenolide.

Another way to deliver a strong dose is to apply a thin plastic film, such as household plastic wrap, over the topical corticosteroid (occlusive dressing). The plastic wrap increases the drug's absorption and effectiveness and is usually left on overnight. Such dressings are usually reserved for disorders such as severe psoriasis Psoriasis Psoriasis is a chronic, recurring disease that causes one or more raised, red patches that have silvery scales and a distinct border between the patch and normal skin. A problem with the immune... read more and eczema Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) Atopic dermatitis (commonly referred to as eczema) is chronic, itchy inflammation of the upper layers of the skin that often develops in people who have hay fever or asthma and in people who... read more . Risks of using corticosteroids under an occlusive dressing include development of prickly heat Prickly Heat Prickly heat is an itchy rash caused by trapped sweat. (See also Introduction to Sweating Disorders.) Prickly heat develops when the narrow ducts carrying sweat to the skin surface get clogged... read more (miliaria), skin thinning (atrophy), stretch marks (striae), dilated red blood vessels on the surface of the skin (telangiectasias), acne-like eruption, and bacterial or fungal infections.

Other topical drugs that are not corticosteroids, such as tacrolimus, pimecrolimus, and crisaborole, can also be used to relieve inflammation, particularly in people with eczema.

Several allegedly anti-inflammatory herbal products—among the most popular are chamomile and calendula—are commonly used in commercial products, but their effectiveness has not been well established. Herbal and "natural" products are often not standardized and commonly cause allergic and irritant reactions of the skin.

Tar preparations are noncorticosteroid anti-inflammatory agents, which are byproducts of coal manufacturing. They slow skin cell division and are useful in treating disorders that cause excessive skin production (scaling) such as psoriasis Psoriasis Psoriasis is a chronic, recurring disease that causes one or more raised, red patches that have silvery scales and a distinct border between the patch and normal skin. A problem with the immune... read more . Side effects include irritation, inflammation of follicles (folliculitis Folliculitis Folliculitis and skin abscesses are pus-filled pockets in the skin resulting from bacterial infection. They may be superficial or deep, affecting just hair follicles or deeper structures within... read more ), staining of clothes and furniture, and sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitization Photosensitivity Reactions Photosensitivity, sometimes referred to as a sun allergy, is an immune system reaction that is triggered by sunlight. Sunlight can trigger immune system reactions. People develop itchy eruptions... read more ). They should not be used on infected skin.

Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites can all infect the skin. By far, the best way to prevent such infections is by carefully washing the skin with soap and water. Stronger disinfecting agents are commonly used by nurses and doctors to disinfect their hands to prevent spreading infections to patients. Antibacterial preparations or "preps" are used on the skin before surgery to lower the number of bacteria on the skin and thereby prevent postoperative infections.

Once a skin infection has occurred, it may be treated with topical or systemic drugs depending on the severity and type of infection diagnosed or suspected. Topical anti-infective agents include antibiotics, antifungal drugs, and insecticides.

Topical antibiotics have few uses. Clindamycin and erythromycin are best used as an additional treatment for acne Acne Acne is a common skin condition causing pimples and other abnormalities on the face and upper torso. Acne is caused by a buildup of dead skin cells, bacteria, and dried sebum that blocks the... read more . Topical metronidazole and occasionally topical sulfacetamide, clindamycin, or erythromycin are used for rosacea Rosacea Rosacea is a persistent skin disorder that causes redness, tiny pimples, and noticeable blood vessels, usually on the central area of the face. The cause is unknown. Typical symptoms include... read more . Mupirocin and the topical antibiotics retapamulin and ozenoxacin can be used to treat impetigo Impetigo and Ecthyma Impetigo is a superficial skin infection, caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, or both, that leads to the formation of scabby, yellow-crusted sores and, sometimes... read more (a staphylococcal infection of the skin).

Nonprescription (over-the-counter) antibiotics such as bacitracin and polymyxin have been replaced by topical petrolatum (for example, Vaseline^®) in postoperative care of a skin biopsy Biopsy Doctors can identify many skin disorders simply by looking at the skin. A full skin examination includes examination of the scalp, nails, and mucous membranes. Sometimes the doctor uses a hand-held... read more site and to prevent infection in scrapes, minor burns, and abrasions. These over-the-counter antibiotics, and especially neomycin, may cause an allergic reaction (contact dermatitis Contact Dermatitis Contact dermatitis is skin inflammation caused by direct contact with a particular substance. The rash may be itchy, is confined to a specific area, and often has clearly defined boundaries... read more ). Petrolatum is as effective as these antibiotics and does not cause such an allergic reaction.

Topical antifungal drugs work quite well for treating a wide variety of fungal infections of the skin (such as ringworm Dermatophytid Reaction A dermatophytid reaction is the body's reaction to a dermatophyte (fungal) infection and is a skin eruption that appears on an area of the body that is not the area where the infection first... read more and athlete's foot Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis) Athlete’s foot is a dermatophyte (fungal) infection of the skin of the feet. Symptoms of tinea pedis include a build up of scale on the feet and sometimes redness and itching. Doctors base the... read more ). However, these topical drugs work poorly for treating fungal infections of the nails. Typically, nail infections are treated with oral antifungal drugs (usually terbinafine), but relapse is very common even when oral drugs are taken.

Insecticides (such as permethrin and malathion) are used to treat lice infestations Treatment Lice infestation is a parasitic skin infestation caused by tiny wingless insects. Lice spread most frequently through close person-to-person contact. People with lice usually have severe itching... read more and scabies Treatment Scabies is a parasitic skin infestation caused by mites. Scabies usually spreads from person to person through physical contact. People with scabies have severe itching, even though there are... read more .

Nonantibiotic topical antiseptics stop or slow the growth of microbes (such as viruses, fungi, and bacteria) on the skin and are therefore considered to be anti-infective (antimicrobial). They include iodine solutions (such as povidone iodine and clioquinol), gentian violet, silver preparations (such as silver nitrate and silver sulfadiazine), sodium hypochlorite, and zinc pyrithione.

Iodine is used to prepare the skin for surgery. Gentian violet is used when an inexpensive antiseptic is needed. Silver preparations (such as silver sulfadiazine) are effective in treating burns and ulcers and have strong antimicrobial properties. Many wound dressings are infused with silver. Sodium hypochlorite has antiseptic properties and is used in some disinfectant sprays and body washes. Zinc pyrithione is also an antifungal and a common ingredient in shampoos that treat dandruff caused by psoriasis Psoriasis Psoriasis is a chronic, recurring disease that causes one or more raised, red patches that have silvery scales and a distinct border between the patch and normal skin. A problem with the immune... read more or seborrheic dermatitis Seborrheic Dermatitis Seborrheic dermatitis is chronic inflammation that causes yellow, greasy scales and dandruff to form on areas of the skin that have a high number of oil glands such as the scalp and face, along... read more .

Healing wounds should usually not be treated with topical antiseptics other than silver because they are irritating and tend to kill fragile regrowth (granulation tissue).

Keratolytics are agents that soften and loosen skin cells and ease the flaking and peeling process (exfoliation) of the top layer of skin. Examples include salicylic acid and urea.

Salicylic acid in varying concentrations is used to treat psoriasis Psoriasis Psoriasis is a chronic, recurring disease that causes one or more raised, red patches that have silvery scales and a distinct border between the patch and normal skin. A problem with the immune... read more , seborrheic dermatitis Seborrheic Dermatitis Seborrheic dermatitis is chronic inflammation that causes yellow, greasy scales and dandruff to form on areas of the skin that have a high number of oil glands such as the scalp and face, along... read more , acne Acne Acne is a common skin condition causing pimples and other abnormalities on the face and upper torso. Acne is caused by a buildup of dead skin cells, bacteria, and dried sebum that blocks the... read more , and warts Warts Warts (verrucae) are small skin growths caused by human papillomavirus infection. Warts are caused by human papillomaviruses. Raised or flat growths appear on any part of the skin. Most warts... read more . Side effects are common and include burning, irritation, and, if large areas of skin are covered, reactions elsewhere in the body (systemic reactions) caused by absorbing the salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is rarely used in children and infants, who are most susceptible to systemic reactions, except in very low concentrations and for brief periods of time.

Urea can be used to moisturize, soothe itching, and reduce scaling. It is commonly used to treat excessive skin buildup on the soles of the feet (plantar keratodermas and calluses), keratosis pilaris Keratosis Pilaris Keratosis pilaris is a common disorder in which dead cells shed from the upper layer of skin plug the openings of hair follicles. The exact cause of keratosis pilaris is not known, but heredity... read more (dry bumps on thighs and back of arms in people with allergies), and other dry skin conditions such as ichthyosis Ichthyosis Ichthyosis is scaling and flaking of the skin that ranges from mild but annoying dryness to severe and disfiguring skin disease. (See also Itching and Dry Skin (Xeroderma).) Ichthyosis is a... read more . Side effects are irritation and burning. Urea should not be applied to large areas of skin.

The most common nonocclusive dressings are gauze dressings. They allow as much air as possible to reach the wound while the wound is covered, and allow the wound to dry.

Wet-to-dry dressings are nonocclusive dressings wetted with solution, usually saline, that are used to help cleanse and remove (debride) thickened, crusted, or dead tissue. The dressings are applied wet and removed after the solution has dried. The dried materials stick to the dressing.

Occlusive dressings increase the absorption and effectiveness (and side effects) of topical drugs. Transparent impermeable films such as polyethylene (plastic household wrap) or flexible, transparent, semi-permeable dressings are the most common types of occlusive dressings. Zinc oxide gelatin (Unna paste boot) is an effective occlusive dressing for skin inflammation and ulcers of the lower legs (which can occur in stasis dermatitis Stasis Dermatitis Stasis dermatitis is inflammation of the skin of the lower legs resulting from the pooling of blood and fluid. (See also Overview of Dermatitis.) Stasis dermatitis occurs in people who have... read more ). Hydrocolloid dressings draw out fluid from the skin and form a gel and are used to speed the healing of skin ulcers Types of Skin Marks and Growths .

Occlusive dressings are sometimes applied over corticosteroids for treating severe psoriasis Psoriasis Psoriasis is a chronic, recurring disease that causes one or more raised, red patches that have silvery scales and a distinct border between the patch and normal skin. A problem with the immune... read more , atopic dermatitis Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) Atopic dermatitis (commonly referred to as eczema) is chronic, itchy inflammation of the upper layers of the skin that often develops in people who have hay fever or asthma and in people who... read more , skin lesions of lupus erythematosus Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory connective tissue disorder that can involve joints, kidneys, skin, mucous membranes, and blood vessel walls. Problems in the... read more , and chronic hand dermatitis Hand and Foot Dermatitis Hand and foot dermatitis is a chronic dermatitis characterized by red, scaly, thickened skin on the hands, the feet, or both. (See also Overview of Dermatitis.) Hand and foot dermatitis often... read more , among other conditions.

Other occlusive dressings are used to protect and help heal burns. Doctors have also found that other types of open wounds heal faster and more completely when kept moist and kept under an occlusive dressing. These dressings help maintain a proper level of moisture and provide a framework on which new skin can regrow. Such dressings include sophisticated commercial products as well as plain petroleum jelly or an antibiotic ointment under a bandage.

Special silicone dressings are sometimes used for keloids Keloids Keloids are smooth, shiny growths of scar tissue that usually form over areas of injury or surgical wounds. (See also Overview of Skin Growths.) These keloids are dome-shaped. This photo shows... read more (scar tissue).