Skin 101: How to Cure These Common Facial Issues

Dealing with skin problems is never easy—especially when the problem area is your face. Every skin disorder or issue varies in severity and symptoms, but no matter what you’re dealing with, addressing skin concerns is important. In many cases, early intervention can help you avoid more harsh, long-term complications.

“Regardless of what you’re dealing with, seeing a dermatologist is imperative,” says Utah Valley Dermatology. “Two people with the same condition could require two completely different treatments. While using online resources as an informative guide is a helpful way to navigate and understand different skin issues, always talk to a dermatologist before taking matters into your own hands.”

The following common facial issues plague people around the world, and understanding how to handle them and what to expect from treatment can help you take the next step forward.

Cold Sores

A cold sore is a fluid-filled blister that appears around the lips and mouth area. Often, an individual may experience burning and tingling in the affected area before the cold sore is even visible. They can also be accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, and are spread through person to person contact, such as kissing.

Even when cold sores aren’t visible, they can be contagious. While there’s currently no cure for cold sores, there are ways you can treat it and prevent outbreaks. Antiviral ointments like penciclovir can curb cold sores as soon as they appear. Some over-the-counter creams, like Abreva, can shorten the lifespan of a cold sore if applied several times over the course of a few days. There are also prescription only medicines like Zovirax for people who experience frequent outbreaks.

Like many other treatments, some natural methods may work equally as well, depending on your current situation. Lemon tea compresses, witch hazel oil, immune system-boosting supplements, and aloe vera are all solid options. For best results, you can use a combination of these tactics.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes quicker cell regeneration. Normally, it takes the body a few weeks to generate new skin cells. For those affected with psoriasis, this happens within just a few days. As skin cells pile up, it creates blotchy patches of redness on the face that become scaly. Like some of the other conditions mentioned here, there is no official cure, but there are treatment plans that your dermatologist can develop for you. Topical treatments can help relieve symptoms from mild to moderate psoriasis, while Vitamin D analogues slow skin regrowth. Calcineurin inhibitors can reduce inflammation and plaque buildup.

Rosacea

There are multiple reasons why your face might be experiencing a little redness. Of course, some of the more obvious reasons are sunburn and hot flashes. However, those aren’t always the culprits. For instance, rosacea is a condition where the skin tends to flush or blush easily. In some instances, this redness can last quite a while, and in some more serious cases of rosacea, it doesn’t fade.

Typically, this redness occurs in the central area of the face, especially after drinking or exercising—though certain symptoms can be ignited by stress, specific makeup products, or overexposure to the sun. It’s important to know that this condition isn’t uncommon, and current estimates suggest it affects around 10% of people. While there’s technically no “cure,” there are treatments that can curb the occurrence of rosacea. Depending on your condition, your dermatologist may recommend topical treatment, oral capsules, and in more severe and rare situations, surgery.

Eczema

Eczema is a medical condition that causes skin inflammation or irritation. There are different types of eczema, however, this condition affects up to 20% of infants and 3% of adults. Children may need to see a children’s dermatologist as a result. Although the majority of children outgrow it, it can continue throughout adulthood. Fortunately, there are ways you can treat it and curb its symptoms, which mainly include itchy bouts of rashy skin.

One of the most important things is to address the itching, which could lead to further infection. Prescription creams and over-the-counter applications like hydrocortisone 1% cream will help with that. More severe itching might require oral prescriptions.

There are also some natural ways you can relieve eczema. Aloe vera, for instance, is chock full of antibacterial properties and can prevent infections and soothe broken skin. The The National Eczema Association also found that apple cider vinegar can help with eczema is used cautiously, as it helps balance the skin’s acidity and fight bacteria. And lastly, virgin coconut oil can improve the health of the skin barrier and can combat inflammation.

Author Bio

Judy Lees is a super-connector with Photographer in New York City who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, branding and networking. He frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing, digital photography.