Most people have experienced an unusual mark or area on their skin that doesn’t quite look right. It may be red and bumpy or hot and itchy. It could be completely harmless and a simple heat rash or reaction, but sometimes, you might have picked up a contagious skin condition. Some of these skin conditions are only found in children, others only in adults, and some of them can be caught by anyone. This is why it is important to be clued up about the common skin conditions out there and how you can control and contain them.
Herpes
If you become infected by herpes, you will notice uncomfortable blisters and ulcers in the infected area. There are two types of herpes: one that affects your mouth, which is herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1), and the other that affects your genitals (HSV2). Both have the same symptoms, just on different areas of your body. Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease, and oral herpes can be passed on simply by kissing someone that is infected. Many people that have herpes aren’t even aware that they are carrying the condition and may never develop symptoms. It can be spread even if the person is not having an outbreak, but it is more likely to be passed on when the sores and blisters are present. There is currently no cure for herpes, but there are medications that people can take to suppress outbreaks. To protect yourself against herpes, always have protected sex.
Shingles
Shingles in adults is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox in children. People that have had chickenpox as a child are less likely to catch shingles as an adult, but it isn’t impossible. If you have already had chickenpox, shingles can cause a painful rash of fluid filled blisters, which usually appears as a stripe around one side of your body. If you have never had chickenpox but become exposed to the fluid from inside a shingles blister, the likelihood of you catching the contagious skin condition is much higher. All cases of shingles are spread through the blister fluid, so to contain the outbreak and prevent spreading it to others, always make sure you adequately cover your shingles blisters. Don’t share towels, clothing or bedding with anyone else until your blisters have scabbed over. Once they have scabbed, they are no longer contagious. If you have never had chickenpox or shingles, your chance of contracting it rises as you get older, which is why there is a vaccine for those over the age of 65.
Thrush
Thrush is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of the Candida fungi. This fungi is found on the skin naturally, but when it overproduces, it causes an uncomfortable and irritating infection. Also know as a yeast infection, thrush can develop in the genital areas of both men and women, causing an itchy, red rash and the area to become inflamed. In adults, thrush can be spread though sex, so practicing safe sex is essential, but you can also prevent it from developing by changing your underwear after swimming or exercising and avoid using scented soaps or washes on your genital areas. Thrush can also develop in the mouth and throat. This form of thrush can be caught by both adults and children. With oral thrush, you will notice white lesions on the tongue, cheek and throat. If someone has oral thrush, make sure you don’t share drinks, food or cutlery as this can spread the condition and infect other people.
Scabies
This contagious skin condition is caused by a small creature called a mite. These mites burrow down into your skin to lay their eggs which causes an intensely itchy, bumpy rash that is raised above the res of your skin; it looks a little bit like a cluster of pimples. Scabies is passed between both adults and children through prolonged skin to skin contact. Unlike shingles, scabies scabs are when the condition is the most contagious. Care centres are common sites for the spreading of scabies, and once someone in your household has it, it is spread incredibly easily. To prevent the spread of the contagious condition, avoid skin to skin contact with anyone that is infected and do not share linen, towels, clothing or other material items. It is usually recommended that the whole household is treated, not just the infected person, to prevent it continuing to spread. For an in-depth and detailed article on Scabies, head to Patient. They have thorough and reliable information on a huge variety of medical conditions, diseases, issues, and treatments that has been written and reviewed by educated doctors. For reliable and trustworthy information on scabies, Patient is the place to go.
Impetigo
Impetigo is another highly contagious skin disease that manifests itself through sores and blisters around your mouth and nose, and sometimes also on your hands. These sores and blisters that appear often burst and crack, leaving crusty patches of brown on your skin that look a little like cornflakes. The sores and scabs can be painful, itchy, and can get bigger or spread to other parts of your body. It is most likely to be picked up by children, and as it is so contagious, outbreaks at schools and care centres are common. If there is already damage to the skin, like a cut, insect bite or another skin condition like eczema, you are more likely to get infected with impetigo if you come into contact with it. It can be treated with an antibiotic cream but once you have caught it, you are more likely to catch it again. To stop it spreading, make sure the blisters are kept clean and covered, all toys or other surfaces that become in contact with an infected person are wiped down, and flannels, clothes and towels are not shared until the infection has cleared up.
Ringworm
Like thrush, ringworm is another fungal infection, and despite the name, it actually has nothing at all to do with worms; it is actually the same fungi that causes athlete’s foot. The reason it got its name is because of the rash of red ring like shapes that appear on your skin. When your skin gets infected with ringworm, the rash can be itchy, red and unpleasant; if your scalp becomes infected, it can cause cracked, scaly skin, and sometimes even hair loss. Ringworm can be spread from animals to humans, meaning you can catch it off an infected dog or cat. But between humans, it is spread through skin on skin contact or by touching contaminated objects. To stop the spread of ringworm, if you think you are infected, make sure you go to the GP and get treatment straight away. Also, wash your bedsheets regularly, do not share towels and always wash your hands after being in contact with animals. If you do have ringworm, avoid scratching and touching the infected area as this can cause the infection to spread to other parts of your body.
Skin conditions are often unpleasant and irritating, and they are usually some of the most incredibly contagious. If you suspect you have picked up a skin condition, make sure you visit your pharmacist or doctor for advice and treatment and take the required measures to contain it and prevent it spreading to other people.
