When Is Sensitive Skin A Real Problem
There are different skin types, which are groups that we use to describe skin that is prone to certain types of reactions to their environment. Skin that reacts more strongly to changes in the environment is often referred to as “sensitive skin.” However, sensitive skin can also be easily confused with a host of common skin conditions. Failing to correctly identify what is happening with your skin can see you neglecting to treat a problem that’s causing you serious discomfort.
At worst, you might even be treating it the wrong way, which can exacerbate the problem. Here, we’re going to look at the question of how to handle sensitive skin, and what to do when there might be another explanation underlying it.
What is Sensitive Skin?
Sensitive skin is typically defined as a heightened reactivity to a host of factors, such as weather changes, cosmetics, soaps, and even water. If you experience redness, itching, burning, or tightness even when exposed to non-irritating substances, then that might be a sign you have sensitive skin.
This is often due to a weakened or thinner skin barrier, which allows things to penetrate the skin more easily, causing a minor allergic reaction. Sensitive skin is not always completely distinct from other skin conditions, and there is overlap, but it’s important to know what you’re dealing with, especially when it comes to treatment.
Psoriasis
One of the most common conditions frequently confused for simple sensitive skin is psoriasis. This is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes skin cells to build up rapidly. As a result, you might have some scaling, as well as redness and inflammation.
This can affect any part of the body but most commonly hits the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. Psoriasis treatment typically attempts to slow skin cell production and reduce inflammation, such as through the use of topical corticosteroids and vitamin D analogs.
Eczema
Also known as atopic dermatitis, this condition causes your skin to become particularly dry, itchy, and inflamed due to a weakened skin barrier. When people say that their skin is sensitive, there’s a good chance that they’re referring to this condition, as well. A lot of eczema treatments are down to moisturizing the skin to reduce dryness and improve its barrier function. There are also options like Adbry, which targets and aims to stop the inflammation that is considered the main cause of the other symptoms. For some people, the itching itself can be so severe that medication like antihistamines is required to control the symptoms.
Allergic Dermatitis
While eczema sees your skin becoming more sensitive to external stimuli of all kinds, allergic dermatitis typically happens as the result of a particular substance, or a few set of substances. Common allergic dermatitis triggers include nickel, fragrances, certain plants, and preservatives.
The condition can be exacerbated by sensitive skin, as it can weaken the skin’s barrier, increasing your susceptibility to these allergens. The symptoms tend to be the same as with eczema, but treatment typically revolves more around identifying which allergens you respond to, often through patch testing, after which you can better avoid those allergens. Medication can be prescribed for those who have particularly severe reactions, however.
Rosacea
This is a chronic condition that typically affects the face. If you have rosacea, you might experience frequent face redness, visible blood vessels, and, though not as common, bumps that might initially look like acne. This condition is triggered by a host of stimuli, such as sun exposure, stress, spicy foods, and alcohol. Managing this condition typically requires a layered response.
Topical treatments such as metronidazole, azelaic acid, and ivermectin can reduce redness and inflammation. There are also other forms of treatment, such as using laser and light-based therapies to address the more visible symptoms.
The Importance of Seeing A Dermatologist
Looking over the different common skin conditions above, it’s easy to see how some of them may be confused for sensitive skin. Many are co-morbid with it; their symptoms are exacerbated by skin sensitivity. If any of these symptoms become a persistent problem, then making an appointment with a dermatologist can be vital, helping you understand which condition is truly affecting you and putting you on the right path towards treating it. Everyone’s skin is different, so a plan tailored to the specifics of your skin is likely to work a lot better than simply picking products off the shelves yourself.
Being informed truly is the key when it comes to finding the right approach for what’s going on with your skin. Get the answers you need so you can be sure that you’re taking steps that actually work.
