Symptoms & Causes Of Skin Inflammation
Skin inflammation is a skin reaction that shows up as reddened, swollen, and sometimes itchy patches of skin. Skin inflammation can vary in duration and severity, ranging from minor flushing to severe conditions causing pain and extensive redness. There are many ways one can develop skin inflammation. Some of them are – exposure to harsh sunlight, heat, chemicals, allergens, and infections. Read on to find out more about specific causes of skin inflammation.
Most people with skin inflammation use creams and other tropical options as treatment methods – and live with it as an irritating part of life. However, life does not always have to be frustrating; you can get to the root cause of your skin condition. Understanding the causes can help you better your skin health. Read on to learn about the causes and symptoms of skin inflammation.
What Is Skin Inflammation
Inflammation is your body’s reaction to an injury or entry of foreign invaders such as allergens. When you injure part of your body, your immune system defends you by forming an acute inflammation.
The inflammation fights off any harmful intruder and heals your wound on a cellular level. So, we can also say that it is the body’s defense mechanism and own process of healing.
Acute inflammation results from swelling or redness due to the blood vessels dilating. When blood vessels dilate, your blood flow increases, promoting healing. While healing, you may feel an itch or pain.
Acute inflammation in typical cases goes for days to one- or two weeks, subject to the causes. The level of inflammation reduces as the body heals. Sometimes, inflammation can become chronic due to long-term stress, unhealthy diet, and other environmental factors.
Such aspects make the body treat even processed food as a harmful pathogen. Your immune defense gets triggered by everything; your body will process that it is under attack all the time, creating constant inflammation.
Diabetes, gut-related problems, heart disease, and cancer are some health issues resulting from chronic inflammation. Other skin health problems arising from chronic skin inflammation are acne, premature aging, and enlarged pores.
A study on Inflammation and Allergy Drug Targets discovered a link between long-term skin inflammation, skin-health problems, and psychological stress. In most cases, chronic inflammation is the primary cause of eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, etc.
What’s The Difference between Psoriasis and Eczema?
- Psoriasis is a long-term skin disease, whereas eczema comes and goes
- Psoriasis is common in adults, while eczema affects infants and children primarily
- Often, psoriasis is hereditary and auto-immune, while environmental factors aggravate eczema
What are the Symptoms of Skin Inflammation?
Skin inflammation symptoms vary depending on the cause and the skin issue you have. The symptoms may affect a small skin area or spread over a large area. Again, they may be mild or severe, with some appearing periodically and some constant.
Some of the symptoms include and are not limited to:
- Rashes and redness
- Acne
- Eczema
- Blisters
- Wrinkles, age spots
- Burning sensation, an itch or sting on the skin
- Scales
- Cracked or fresh/warm skin that may bleed
Causes of Skin Inflammation
Before deciding on the treatment method appropriate for your skin inflammation, you must know its root cause.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance means the body does not respond well to insulin and can’t use glucose from the body’s energy. The pancreas makes more insulin when your body tries to maintain the situation. This can lead to type-2 diabetes and increase the chances of suffering from skin inflammation.
A 2015 published study shows that insulin resistance increases chronic inflammation and causes various inflammation-related skin conditions. Some of these conditions are psoriasis, acne, and hirsutism.
Signs of insulin resistance may include:
- Often feeling thirsty and the urge to urinate
- Craving sweets after meals and eating sweets does not remove the desire
- In females, estrogen is dominant, while in males, low testosterone
Gut Dysbiosis
Gut dysbiosis is a situation where the gut microbiome is out of balance. Gut dysbiosis occurs in the gut, but the effects can be tremendous and affect your skin, particularly H. Pylori.
According to a Journal review, H. pylori infections can cause a chronic systemic immune response and inflammatory response in your body, and this can cause skin problems such as rosacea. A study published in BMC Infectious Diseases also discovered that H. pylori infections could cause skin conditions like rosacea.
Heavy Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress is a disparity between producing and accumulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body cells and tissues. Hence, the body cannot detoxify these products well and fast enough.
Oxidative stress raises the chances of chronic inflammatory health problems. Smoking, radiation, a poor diet high in inflammatory processed foods, and excess alcohol consumption are some major causes of heavy oxidative stress.
Toxic Skin Care Exposure
Common skincare brands (including creams, lotions, and acne products) contain toxic chemicals. These products can harm your skin and cause skin inflammation. According to this study, many chemicals in cosmetic products can cause allergic reactions and dermatitis.
Many skin care products do more harm by removing your skin’s natural moisture and oils. Instead of ‘moisturizing,’ they make you dependent on the product, and you will have to use them often to feel moisturized.
Dehydration and Skin Stagnation
Dehydrated skin lacks water and moisture. It can cause an itch, dullness, scales, flakes, and wrinkles. Skin hydration largely depends on your entire body’s hydration levels. Dehydration can result in Epidermal and trans-epidermal water loss leading to skin inflammation and health problems.
Hormone Imbalances
Estrogen and progesterone variations in a month and estrogen-progesterone imbalance affect the skin. If you are a woman, you understand hormonal acne better.
According to a 2014 study, 63% of women have acne during the late luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. However, you may also have skin issues after menopause, as in a study published in the Journal in 2014.
Nutrient Deficiencies
What you eat plays is significant in the health of your skin. Deficiencies in nutrients such as omega-3, vitamin A, vitamin D, and zinc increase the risk of skin inflammation.
Final Thoughts
Skin inflammation and skin condition-related symptoms are usual, and it may cause swelling, itching, and acne, among others. Many people live with them while others look for the various topicals available. However, knowing the cause of your skin inflammation can help you better your skin naturally. Visit Lifeworks Integrative Health to help you get your glow back.