We often have skin disease that is visually unappealing. We then have skin disease that is actually painful in nature. There are some skin conditions that are both ugly and painful, like acne, and there are those that are invisible, but still painful. Skin disorders that are also painful can add fuel to the fire.
Neuoropathic pain
This type of pain is caused by peripheral nerves that relay signals between the body and the brain. There are many diseases that cause this type of skin pain, including alcoholism, diabetes, and Guillian-Barre syndrome. This type of pain may occur in one location of several and it will also be characterized by redness, swelling and itching.
Acne
Acne is a common condition on the skin where dirt and oils clog pores and cause pimples. These pimples can leave scars or darken the skin if not treated properly.
Burns
There is also skin pain caused by actual burns, some visible and some not. The sun and heat can cause burns to your skin and even your eyes. Radiation is another type of skin injury that can cause pain to the skin in the form of a burn.
Shingles
This outbreak is due to a virus that is caused by chickenpox. After chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in nerve tissue and years later the virus becomes active as shingles. This condition includes burning or shooting pain, usually on one side of the body or face. A rash with raised dots also occurs and then usually fluid-filled blisters. Most people experience shingles only one time in their life, but it can occur more than once in some individuals.
Allodynia
Allodynia is a rare type of pain, generally on the skin, that is caused by something that doesn’t normally cause pain. The nociceptors in the body signal pain towards inappropriate stimuli. This pain is part of the pain experienced with fibromyalgia. There are different forms of allodynia including tactile, mechanical, and thermal. Tactile is pain from clothing pressing on the skin, like waistbands or from the touch of someone hugging or touching you. Mechanical is caused by brushing on the skin, like using a towel to dry off or rubbing across sheets. Thermal is caused by cold or hot temperatures that physically causes pain when the temperature is not at a temperature that should cause pain.
Pemphigus
Pemphigus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the cells in the top layer of the skin and the mucous membrane. Blisters will form from this disorder and it is not contagious. These blisters can form in the mouth, nose, throat, eyes, and even genitals.
Cellulitis
The disease known as cellulitis can be fatal if not treated. This condition is caused by bacteria or fungi that enters the skin through a cut in the skin. It causes the skin to be red and swollen. It is hot and tender to the touch and cause fever and chills as well. If it is not treated, the infection can take over and the condition can become fatal.