The Causes Of 9 Rare Skin Conditions
Have you ever noticed a patch of itchy red bumps on your skin and not known what it was?
You know… those ones that look like permanent goosebumps?
Have a skin condition that you can't seem to identify?
Well we here at Bestie want to help you alleviate your worries, so today we're going to explore
various uncommon skin conditions.
But first, before we begin this video, don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more
daily tips like this and turn on notifications so you never miss our new videos!
Alright, let's explore some our first of many skin conditions.
This type of rash looks like dozens of tiny red bumps are grouped together and sometimes
it’s referred to as ‘chicken skin’.
If you’ve noticed this chicken skin before and not been sure what it is or what to do,
worry not!
It’s actually a pretty common condition and the official name for it is keratosis
pilaris.
Although we probably prefer "chicken skin".
It just sounds a lot lighter than "keratosis pilaris".
Keep on watching if you’ve experienced this and would like to know how to reverse and
prevent this chicken skin that sometimes shows up on your thighs or arms.
Keratosis Pilaris is a condition that mainly affects the upper arms on the back and it
can also show up on the backs of your thighs.
There are more rare forms of keratosis that can affect the eyebrows, face, and sometimes
even the scalp.
In extremely rare cases, the rash can cover your entire body.
It’s a genetic skin disorder, so if this happens to you, you can thank your parents.
According to experts, keratosis pilaris happens when there is too much keratin in the skin's
hair follicles.
Keratin is usually found in the tough outer layer of the skin, this causes the surface
to thicken.
Excess Keratin blocks the hair follicles with hard, rough, skin which in turn, widens your
pores.
This is why your skin appears red and patchy.
Keratosis is not contagious but there’s also no cure for it.
It usually improves as the afflicted person ages, and some people are lucky to be rid
of Keratosis by the time they hit 25.
Although there’s no cure, there are a few things you can do to help it.
Use soap-free cleansers as soap actually dry out your skin cells, and moisturize frequently.
Diligent skin care is needed to help alleviate this horrible condition, so take care.
So now that we've adequately covered keratosis pilaris, why don't we go through a couple
more rare skin conditions?
Here's a tip– these next couple of skin conditions are kind of gross, so if you've
got a weak stomach, don't proceed.
However, if you've got a yearning to see all things medical and rare than be our guest
and keep watching.
Who knows?
You might find some information about the treatment that you're looking for.
1) Peeling Skin Syndrome.
The summer is fun sure, but the way it burns our perfectly clear skin is almost unbearable.
We go from having nice, smooth skin to dry, red, rough and worst of all– peeling dead
skin.
Imagine if you had to experience that peeling all the time.
This is the life of people with Peeling Skin Syndrome.
A genetic disease that starts when you're young, with peeling skin syndrome you can
almost always peel the top layer of your skin off.
Not that it hurts or anything, it just has a tendency to become irritated and blistery,
which can lead to a lot of pain.
Petroleum jelly and medicine that you would put on warts or calluses might work to make
it look or feel better if your rough skin is causing you discomfort.
But be warned– avoid other typical skin treatments.
They probably won't help and can even be harmful.
2) Chromhidrosis.
Sweating, while an indicator of a good workout, isn't really all that fun.
You get wet, you get stinky and then a couple hours, your skin is all dry and sticky.
There is a way to make sweating more enjoyable however, all you need to do is find a way
to contract Chromhidrosis!
According to WEBMD, the people with this affliction sweat colors.
That's right, you heard me: they sweat colors.
Yellow, green, blue, brown, or black were the colors we could find reported, so we don't
even know if that's their limit!
If SOMEHOW having colorful sweat seems like a burden to you and you'd like to get rid
of it, apparently there is some treatment.
It's reported that using a specific cream everyday or regular botox shots will close
up your sweat glands, meaning you'll no longer be a walking talking rainbow.
How sad!
3) Necrobiosis Lipoidica.
All these skin conditions sure are a good time we know, but is there one to let me know
whether or not I have diabetes?
Sure there is!
Necrobiosis Lipoidica, a skin disease that often takes place around the shins is one
of the early signs of diabetes.
If you have Necrobiosis Lipoidica, there's a good chance you've also got diabetes or
are about to get it.
So how can you tell if you've got Necrobiosis Lipoidica?
Well, small, raised splotches will start to grow near your shins.
Slowly, they will turn from splotches to large patches.
They'll go from being bright red and raised to flatter, but with a red outline and yellowish
center.
Here, the skin will be thin and will split easily.
The split skin will form ulcers that could lead to skin cancer.
If you find these sores on yourself, seek medical attention immediately.
4) Epidermolytic Ichthyosis.
As if parenting wasn't scary enough, here comes this horrible rare skin condition that'll
turn your baby into a fish!
Not literally, but it does derive its name from the Greek word for "fish".
A genetic disease that you'll pass onto your poor unsuspecting child, according to WEBMD
it forms "red, blistered, raw-looking skin that's thick in places, injures easily, and
gets inflamed".
These "scales" will form rows all around your body, making it dry and giving you rough skin.
If you try to remove this rough, dry skin, it'll leave what's left fragile and prone
to infection.
5) Morgellons Disease.
We're sure you've heard the old trope about drug addicts feeling like they have bugs on
their skin when there's nothing actually there.
Well, maybe some of these stereotypes were victims of the scary Morgellons Disease.
With this affliction, you constantly feel like there's something crawling on, biting,
or stinging you.
The disease can also lead to problems with memory, mood, and concentration.
Often, doctors will notice the warning signs of Morgellons Disease and suggest therapy,
because the disease is more than likely a mental one.
6) Erythropoietic Protoporphyria.
Some might think it's cool to be a mutant, but that's only the case if you get to shoot
lasers from your eyes or get to heal on command.
People with Erythropoietic Protoporphyria might not agree, because they're not so lucky.
Because of their mutation, their bodies have a hard time processing a light sensitive chemical
called protoporphyrin.
The chemical builds up at the top layer of their skin and then makes them tingly.
Or worse, it itches.
Or, even worse, it burns.
If these people don't cover up around even the most sensitive of light sources, it could
cause them great pain.
Some doctors recommend that people who have this condition get more vitamin A or iron,
but depending on the severity anyone who has this might want to see a doctor.
7) Leprosy.
Although it is entirely curable if tended too quickly, Leprosy is still a pretty scary
skin condition.
And even though a lot of us are naturally immune, you could get it one of two ways:
1) you get it from someone else (note to self, stay away from lepers) or 2) handling an armadillo
(note to self, stay away from armadillos).
Leprosy is a nerve disease that starts with little pink patches developing on your skin.
These patches will be pretty insensitive to light or temperature.
Eventually, you'll start to get numbness and tenderness in your hands and feet.
Then, if left untreated, you'll experience tissue loss.
This is caused because cartilage is absorbed into the body, causing fingers and toes to
become shortened and deformed.
So our, and most medical professional's, advice is to go to see the doctor if you're worried.
8) Elastoderma.
The powers of Mr. Fantastic and Elastic Man sure LOOK fun, but the disease associated
with them sure isn't.
It's called Elastoderma and it happens when your body starts to produce too much elastin.
Elastin is the protein that your skin uses to become elastic and flexible, and too much
of that is never good.
If you have Elastoderma, your skin won't spring back when stretched and will often leave you
with an abundance of sags and folds.
The scariest part about this disease– doctors have no idea why it occurs.
Often if a patient comes in with the disease, WEBMD reports that the physician will just
cut off the access skin.
Unfortunately, it always returns.
9) Argyria.
Ever wanted to be a smurf, a member of the blue man group, a Na'vi or mystique?
Well throw your cosplays aside, because now you can just go and contract Argyria.
People who have had prolonged contact with silver salts end up contracting this disease
that turns your skin a silvery blue.
Hm... maybe Dr. Manhattan was just spending too much time in the silver mines?
Alright, that’s it!
Did any of these weird skin conditions freak you out or make you sad?
Do you have any stories to share about your skin condition?
Let us know in the comments section below.