Skin problems

They may need to be removed, as they may turn into malignant growths. Cancer of the skin can be much less serious than cancer in any other part of the body because it can be diagnosed readily and early and removed early-provided no time is wasted on dangerous home treatment. Always make certain that any new or changing growth or lesion -a lump, sore, or wart-is harmless by having your physician check it rather than by "waiting to see." Waiting can represent dangerous loss of time. (See page 556 for more on cancer.)

 OTHER SKIN DISEASES Syphilis may be the reason behind any sore appearing in the genital region between three days to three months after sexual intercourse with an infected person. It may manifest itself again about six weeks later in the form of a measles-like rash, accompanied by 'jymplom5 somewhat like those of a cold. Although it is not true from syphilis, there is no time to waste if a sore or rash should be syphilitic in nature. Your physician can cure the disease immediately or set your mind at ease by making a test that can prove you do not have it. Syphilis does not cause pimples and itching. (See page 657 for fuller discussion of syphilis.) 

Erysipelas, also known as St. Anthony's fire, is an infection of the skin and underlying tissue caused by streptococcal bacteria. The affected skin becomes swollen, painful, burning, itching, and red, with a glazed, shining surface. It must be treated by a physician, who can cure it with avail- able modern medications. Glanders, anthrax, and tularemia are serious ailments contracted from animals with these diseases. Skin lesions can be important symptoms. Rashes can be caused by many contagious diseases such as smallpox, meningitis, measles, and other common diseases of childhood. It is important to note that any rash or abnormal skin condition that is accompanied by a fever or a general feeling of illness is a danger signal. A physician should be consulted for prompt diagnosis and necessary treatment. Lupus erythematosus, pemphigus, and scleroderma are potentially dangerous skin diseases.

 Lupus erythematosus is manifested by a red eruption of the nose and cheek, which takes the shape of a butterfly. It may follow exposure to the sun. The disease frequently remains in its mild form, especially if the patient follows the physician's recommendations. Pemphigus usually begins as a number of blisters, most commonly starting around the nose and mouth and gradually involving the rest of the body. Scleroderma, a hardening of the skin, is usually preceded by changes in the circulation of the skin, especially in the hands and feet, which become bluish and cold. These diseases today, with prompt treatment, have a far better outlook than only a few years ago. They are rare diseases and are mentioned here as a reminder that the skin is an important organ of the body and can be affected by more than minor ailments. 

Skin Infections

Skin sensitivity is not the same thing as allergy. For example, if your hands become irritated after repeated use of a strong cleansing agent, but not irritated after repeated use of the same agent in a weaker solution, you are sensitive rather than allergic to it. The allergic individual reacts to very tiny amounts of materials to which he is allergic. Skin sensitivity varies greatly among individuals. Some skins are sensitive to a multiplicity of things; others too few if any.  

SKIN INFECTIONS Exposed as it is, the skin is subject to invasion by many types of micro- organisms, including bacteria that may be harmless and other bacteria, that may cause boils or impetigo; viruses that cause fever blisters; parasites responsible for scabies; fungi that cause such problems as athlete's foot; and the organism of syphilis, the spirochete, which produces syphilitic lesions. A boil is a swollen, inflamed area on the skin produced by bacteria- bacteria that often are present on the skin but unable to do any damage unless resistance has been lowered by such things as irritating friction, cuts, poor health, bad nutrition, or diabetes.

A carbuncle, which may be produced by the same type of bacteria involved in boils, is more serious than a boil because it involves inflammation not only of the skin but of deeper tissues and is accompanied by a general feeling of illness. Boils and carbuncles respond readily to medical treatment, which may include use of penicillin or another antibiotic and/or incision and drain- age if necessary. In addition, the physician will try to determine the basic cause and treat or eliminate it if possible. (Diabetes may be heralded by the appearance of boils and other skin infections.) Anyone with a carbuncle should see a doctor. So should anyone who has a number of boils at one time or suffers from repeated outbreaks. Boils and carbuncles can be serious matters.

Organisms from a boil or carbuncle may enter the blood, with grave and even fatal consequences. This is particularly true of a boil or carbuncle on the nose or upper lip, because in these areas there is an easier access route for the organisms to reach the brain. If you have a small boil that is not on nose or upper lip, it is usually safe for you to try the following: Wash the boil and surrounding area with soap and water several times a day. Lightly dab on 70 percent alcohol afterward. Cover, not too tightly, with an antiseptic gauze pad to prevent irritation. In addition, hourly for ten minutes at a time, apply hot compresses. Make the compresses by soaking an antiseptic gauze pad in hot water containing as much table salt as will dissolve in it. This not only helps relieve pain but stimulates the boil to come to a head and drain. Cover with a fresh dry pad. If the boil does not get better within a few days, see your physician. Do not attempt to open a boil yourself or let an amateur surgeon friend try.