The skin is the largest sensory organ of humans and regulates, among other things, our temperature. It also protects us from pathogens. But it is also prone to conditions. One speaks of a skin disease (dermatosis) when the change in the skin cannot be attributed to normal aging. Dermatoses are easy for the affected person to recognize because they can be seen on the surface of the skin with the naked eye.
Symptoms of a skin disease are manifested by scales, small blisters or wheals, redness on certain parts of the body or by a strong itching.
The causes for dermatological diseases can be versatile. They can arise from a hereditary disposition. In this case, one speaks of endogenous factors. But even if the disease is in our genetic makeup, this does not mean that it has to break out.
A weakened immune system can also be a trigger for skin diseases. When viruses invade the body, conditions such as chicken pox or warts can develop.
Another trigger for skin diseases is stress. If the mental balance is disturbed, hormonal changes can occur, which in turn can trigger small inflammations. This is referred to as exogenous factors, which also include sun exposure or other environmental factors.
Skin diseases are among the most common conditions in the world population, with 30% - 70% of the population suffering from a dermatosis at least once in their lives.