Changing the way you look at visible diseases of the skin

Rosacea is a non-contagious disease of the skin localized on the face that can range from diffuse redness, to the appearance of fine blood vessels, through outbreaks of small white pimples. Those affected can experience real discomfort on a daily basis as the redness is most often concentrated on the nose, cheeks and chin.

Acne is a common, chronic, non-contagious skin disease. Its symptoms vary and include oily skin, blackheads and pimples. It is most common in teenagers but can affect adults too. Flare-ups are followed by calmer periods, depending on the season, the hormonal cycle and how well treatment is being followed for example. As with teenage acne, adult acne can have a significant psychological impact, affecting quality of life and self-esteem as it can have a negative effect on body image at key periods in life, and as it affects both the body and the face.

Vitiligo is an autoimmune, non-contagious disease. This marked skin disease can be difficult to live with due to the appearance of depigmentation of the skin and sometimes of the hair and that could be more or less extensive and more or less intense . If all areas of the body can be affected, the face, hands and feet, joints and genitals are the most affected.

Ichthyosis is a rare genetic disease mainly affecting the skin. There are several forms and the severity varies. It is characterized by extremely dry, rough skin and by an excessive amount of “dead skin dandruff” (skin flakes) that continuously peels off. The skin is more or less inflamed (red), more or less thick, with sometimes cracks (frequently under the feet) and/or painful bubbles. The skin is subject to surinfections and may have an unpleasant odor. The eyes are fragile, often irritated and red, especially in case of ectropion (eversion of the eyelids). This visible disease of the skin is often present at birth and has a major impact on the patients quality of life.

Atopic eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a chronic, non-contagious inflammatory skin disease caused by skin hypersensitivity that is often hereditary. It is characterized by alternating periods of flare-ups and remissions. The duration, intensity and location of symptoms vary. The main symptoms of an inflammatory flare-up, occurring without any obvious cause, are red patches always accompanied by itching, possibly swollen (oedema), oozing, covered with small vesicles, resulting in crusts, thickening of the skin and lesions scratching. During remission, the skin remains dry and may itch. Atopic eczema appears in childhood and usually disappears in adulthood. In babies, atopic eczema affects the fleshy areas (cheeks, forehead), arms and the belly. In children and adolescents, it appears in the fold of the elbows and knees as well as on hands and face (around the mouth, eyelids, behind the ears). In the majority of cases, atopic eczema tends to disappear in adolescence but if it has not disappeared in adulthood, you can find patches everywhere, especially on the face, neck and hands.

Psoriasis is a common, inflammatory, chronic, non-contagious skin disease affecting people of all ages. During flare-ups, the skin is covered with uncomfortable, itchy plaques of varying size, which are red or covered with a thick, whitish layer known as scales (skin flakes). Psoriasis includes a genetic predisposition that sometimes triggered by specific environmental factors (stress, climate, medication, alcohol or tobacco consumption, etc.). Psoriasis has both a physical and psychological impact due to the patients' own gaze and the way other people look at them.

Verneuil's disease, described by the surgeon of the same name and also known as hidradenitis suppurativa, is a non-contagious, chronic and recurrent skin disease, from as yet unknown causes. Periods of flare-ups and remissions follow one another. The flare-ups are permanent at the most severe stage. Symptoms: Painful lumps, abscesses, pus discharge, fistulas and raised scarring, most commonly located in the armpits, groin, breasts, gluteal and submammary folds, back of the neck, and back of the ears. The disease affects the areas of the body where the sweat-producing glands are present, that is to say essentially the large folds. It causes a lot of physical and psychological pain.