Skin Troubles

Hundreds of skin disorders have been named and classified; many have long and complicated names. Some result from cos­metics. All of them, however, represent the response of the skin to some insult or assault from within or without the body.

The diagnosis and treatment of skin trou­bles requires expert medical judgment. The attempt to treat skin troubles at home often makes them worse. A condition called "over-treatment dermatitis" frequently occurs.

Contact dermatitis, of which poison ivy is a typical example, is the most common skin disorder produced by outside agents. To fight against such agents, the skin pours forth lymph fluid, which forms blisters. Along with the blisters usually come a burning sensation, itching, redness, and swelling. A number of industrial chemicals produce con­tact dermatitis.

Skin inflammations, rashes, and pustules arise also from systemic infections of the body the assault from the inside. Many dis­eases write their signature on the skin, for example, the permanent pock marks of smallpox, the temporary rashes of scarlet fever and other infectious diseases.

Welts, wheals, and bumps sometimes ap­pear on the skin in protest, one might say, against something in the victim or his envi­ronment to which he is peculiarly sensi­tive. In other words, hives (urticaria) is a sign of allergy. So, for example, is "straw­berry rash."

Acne

Acne is often the bane of adolescent years. The skin appears greasy; it is covered with blackheads; pimples are numerous. The blackheads are the result of the clogging of the seborrheic ducts with oily plugs sur­rounding a dirt particle. An increased but sometimes excess secretion of sebum seems to be a normal event in the many body changes that occur with puberty. A clean face may well help prevent the development or aggra­vation of acne. Regular washing with soap and water is the important step. Avoidance of tampering with the facial skin will fur­ther help to ward off the risk of disfiguring secondary infection. However, the treatment of acne is not always quite so simple as this. The persistent case requires medical attention. New methods of treatment are constantly being devised. Some cases of acne respond to psychotherapy, just as others do to nutritional therapy. A lowered intake of fatty foods is sometimes helpful.

There is a gross, vulgar, and completely erroneous superstition that acne is "caused" by autoerotic practice or by "sexual experi­ence" or, conversely, by the lack of it. This is pure nonsense.

Athlete's Foot

"Athlete's foot" is the common name given to a type of fungus infection (epidermophyto­sis) on the feet and between the toes. The fungi grow from spores under favorable con­ditions of heat and moisture. That is why the "seed spores" tend to persist in swim­ming pools and gymnasium showers and locker rooms. Perspiring feet also favor their growth.

Most important on the individual's part in avoiding the itching, scaling, and blistering of "athlete's foot" is to make sure that his feet, socks, and shoes are kept thoroughly clean and dry.

Athlete's foot is sometimes a community problem. The use of a strong fungicide or de­tergent on premises where the spores are likely to be seeded should be undertaken at least twice a week. The ordinary footbath is not likely to have much effect on the fungi.