List of non-communicable skin diseases plus symptoms

What is on your mind when you imagine "skin disease"? If what you are thinking about is leprosy or chicken pox, you might think all skin diseases are contagious. Don't get me wrong. Not all skin diseases can be contagious, you know! There are various types of skin diseases that seem contagious, but they are not at all.

What are non-contagious skin diseases?

Non-communicable skin diseases are skin problems that will not pass from one person to another through direct or indirect contact.

Direct contact is exposure to skin contact, such as shaking hands or hugging. Meanwhile, indirect contact is through lending and borrowing personal items, or touching surfaces that have been previously touched by an infected person.

Even though the person may have a rash or other symptoms that are very visible on their skin, you don't need to be afraid. The reason is, certain diseases are not contagious even though they have symptoms that look very disturbing.

The types of skin diseases are not contagious

For more details, here is a review of the types of non-communicable skin diseases that need to be known:

Dermatitis

Dermatitis (Source: American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology)

Dermatitis is a general term for inflammation of the skin. Dermatitis has many causes that usually present with different signs and symptoms.

Although the skin experiences an itchy and red rash, this skin disease is not contagious at all. It's just that you might feel uncomfortable and insecure.

Signs and symptoms of dermatitis

There are many types of dermatitis. However, the three most common conditions are atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis.

All three have different signs and symptoms, namely:

Atopic dermatitis (eczema)

Eczema mostly affects babies and children. A red, itchy, dry, thick rash on the skin is the main sign of eczema. This condition most often affects the skin folds on the body.

Contact dermatitis

This condition occurs when the skin is exposed to certain objects or substances that cause an allergic reaction. The main sign is a rash that is itchy, stinging, and sometimes burns.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis causes red, scaly patches on the skin. This condition generally affects oily areas of the body such as the face, upper chest, and back.

Causes of dermatitis

• Eczema caused by errors in the immune system, gene variations, dry skin, or bacteria on the skin
• Contact dermatitis caused by exposure to substances such as cleaning products, perfumes, cosmetics, and others
• Seborrheic dermatitiscaused by a fungus in the oil secreted by the skin

Dermatitis treatment

Treatments for these non-contagious skin diseases vary widely depending on the cause. Usually the doctor will recommend various treatments such as:

• Apply a corticosteroid cream to relieve itching and inflammation
• Applying creams or lotions that can affect the immune system (calcineurin inhibitors)
• Take an antihistamine (diphenhydramine) to reduce allergic reactions and itching
• Perform treatment with phototherapy or light therapy
• Apply skin moisturizer
• Take antibiotics or antifungals if the eczema becomes infected
• Take supplements that contain vitamin D and probiotics for eczema
• Apply tea tree oil for seborrheic dermatitis
• Using aloe vera for seborrheic dermatitis

In addition, the doctor will also ask you to apply a cold or damp cloth to the skin to relieve itching without scratching it.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis (Source: International Federation of Psoriasis)

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes skin cells to produce too quickly and out of control. As a result, too many skin cells accumulate on the surface of the skin.

In people with psoriasis, this production process takes only a few days. Even though normally, the skin will be replaced once a month.

As a result, the skin cells do not have time to release on their own until they finally accumulate. But no need to worry too much, this skin disease is not contagious at all.

Psoriasis signs and symptoms

Actually the signs and symptoms of psoriasis are often different for each person. However, the most common signs and symptoms include:

• Red, raised, inflamed patches
• The appearance of scales or silvery white skin
• Skin that is so dry it breaks and bleeds
• Pain around the thickened skin
• Itching and burning on the skin
• Nails are thickened
• Swollen and stiff joints

This condition can actually develop in any part of the body. However, the body parts most often affected are:

• Hand
• Feet
• Neck

Psoriasis is a recurring disease. That is, it can cause severe symptoms for a period of time and completely disappear over a period of time.

When symptoms disappear, it doesn't mean psoriasis is cured. The reason is, this skin disease cannot be cured. Symptoms can appear and strike again at a later date.

However, there is no need to worry if you are close to people who have psoriasis. Because this skin disease is not contagious even if you are in direct contact.

Causes of psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that arises because the white blood cells (T cells) in the immune system go wrong. As a result, healthy skin cells are attacked as if they are fighting an infection.

Overactive T cells eventually trigger an increase in the production of skin and other white blood cells. This causes the skin to build up, redness, and sometimes pus in the lesions that form on the skin.

However, experts also don't understand exactly why T cells can go wrong. The strongest suspicion is due to genetic and environmental factors.

Psoriatic triggers

As previously mentioned, psoriasis symptoms can come back and be triggered by various factors such as:

• Infections, such as strep throat or skin infections
• Injuries to the skin such as cuts or scrapes, insect bites, and excessive sun exposure
• Stress
• Smoke
• Drink alcohol
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Certain drugs, one of which contains lithium

Psoriasis treatment

Psoriasis cannot be cured but the severity of the symptoms can be controlled. Treatment is divided into three categories, namely topical drugs, oral or injectable drugs, and light therapy.

Topical medicine

For topical drugs, doctors usually give it in the form of ointments or creams. Various topical drugs that are usually prescribed include:

• Corticosteroids
• Retinoids
• Anthralin
• Salicylic acid
• Vitamin D
• Moisturizer

Drinking or injecting medicine

Meanwhile, for people with moderate to severe psoriasis, the doctor will give oral or injected drugs. The various drugs that are usually prescribed are:

• Methotrexate
• Cyclosporine (Sandimmune)
• Medicines that change the immune system (biological)
• Retinoids

Light therapy

This one treatment procedure can use natural or artificial ultraviolet light. Light therapy can help kill white blood cells that are overactive attacking healthy skin cells.

Doctors will use UVA and UVB rays to help reduce mild to moderate psoriasis symptoms. Everything is adjusted according to the severity and condition of your skin.

Rosacea

Rosacea (Source: Independent Nurse)

Rosacea is a skin disease that causes redness of the face. This condition also makes the blood vessels clearly visible on the face. Rosacea most commonly affects middle-aged women who have fair skin.

Although there is no cure for rosacea, various treatments can control and reduce the symptoms. This skin disease is also not contagious so you don't need to worry that you will pass it on to people around you.

Rosacea signs and symptoms

The following are various signs and symptoms that are usually experienced when exposed to rosacea, namely:

• Reddened face, usually in the middle of the face
• The tiny blood vessels in the nose and cheeks become more visible and even swell
• A red lump on the face that sometimes contains pus
• Facial skin feels hot and painful to the touch
• Dry, irritated eyes and reddish lids
• The nose becomes bigger than usual

If your family or loved ones have signs and symptoms as mentioned, there is no need to stay away from them. The reason is, this skin disease is not contagious even though it is close to an infected person.

Causes of rosacea

Reporting from the pages of the American Academy of Dermatology, scientists are still trying to find out what causes rosacea. However, the immune system and genetic factors are thought to play a role in this.

In addition, there are several things that can trigger or worsen rosacea, namely:

• Hot drinks and spicy food
• Alcohol
• Extreme temperatures
• Sunlight or wind
• Emotions
• Sports
• Cosmetics

Rosacea treatment

Rosacea is a non-communicable skin disease that cannot be cured. Therefore, the treatment is done to control the signs and symptoms only. The following are various treatments that are usually given:

Medicines that reduce redness

The drug brimonidine (Mirvaso) is quite effective in reducing redness because it can constrict blood vessels. This medication comes in a gel form and can be applied directly to the skin. Apart from brimonidine, other drugs that are usually given are azelaic acid and metonidazole.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics help reduce certain types of bacteria that can fight the inflammation that causes rosacea. Doxycicline is an antibiotic that is usually prescribed for moderate to severe cases of rosacea.

Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Claravis) is given for severe cases of rosacea that cannot be treated with other drugs.

Therapy

Lasers can help reduce redness in enlarged and dilated blood vessels. Apart from lasers, various other therapeutic options that can also be done are dermabrasion,intense pulsed light (IPL), and electrosurgery.

Vitiligo

Vitiliho (Source: GP Online)

Vitiligo is a condition when the skin experiences pale white patches due to a lack of melanin content. This condition can occur in all parts of the body. However, the face, hands, neck, genitals, and skin folds are the parts most often affected by vitiligo.

Vitiligo signs and symptoms

Vitiligo is a condition characterized by:

• Loss of skin color in certain parts evenly
• The appearance of gray hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, or beard
• Loss of color in mucous membranes such as the mouth and nose
• Loss or discoloration of the inner lining of the eyeball

Keep in mind that this skin disease cannot be transmitted or passed from one person to another. For that, don't stay away from people just because you are afraid of getting infected.

Causes of vitiligo

Vitiligo is caused due to a lack of a pigment called melanin in the skin. Melanin is produced by skin cells called melanocytes.

When you get vitiligo, this is a sign that there aren't enough melanocytes to produce enough melanin in the skin. Unfortunately, there is no definite data that states the factors that cause the loss of melanocytes in the skin.

However, this is strongly thought to be due to heredity and autoimmune disorders. Autoimmune disorders occur when the body's immune system mistakes and attacks and destroys melanocytes in the skin.

Vitiligo treatment

White patches caused by vitiligo are usually permanent. However, various treatments are usually recommended to improve the appearance of your skin such as:

Corticosteroid cream

Corticosteroid creams can help restore skin color, especially if used early in the disease.

Medicines for the immune system

Ointments containing tacrolimus or pimecrolimus (calcineurin inhibitor) are prescribed for people with mild cases of vitiligo.

Light therapy

This therapy helps restore skin color to its original appearance, especially at the beginning of its appearance. In addition, light therapy also helps remove the remaining color if this non-contagious skin disease has become widespread.