Viral diseases

Frequent outbreaks of rubella, chickenpox, scarlet fever, or measles, especially among children's centers, became commonplace. However, the above-mentioned viral diseases cannot be called specifically skin diseases, since each of them is accompanied by accompanying symptoms from other organs, for example, damage to the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, general malaise and high temperature. The appearance of a mottled red rash on the skin, enlarged lymph nodes on the back of the head and behind the ears, chills and headache signal the possibility of rubella, while a mottled rash in combination with headaches, sore throat, high fever and photophobia are more characteristic for measles The diagnosis of chicken pox, or chicken pox, is much easier to establish, since the small blister rash is specific only for this viral disease. In most cases, such diseases are the competence of infectious disease doctors and must be treated in an infectious disease hospital.

A group of viral diseases less known to the general public are specific viral diseases of the skin, which, apart from manifestations on the skin, are not accompanied by any other symptoms from other organs, and that is why they are less likely to encourage the patient to consult a doctor. However, these diseases are the most common and tend to affect both children and adults equally.

What about specific skin viral diseases?

Today, everyone has heard of the human papilloma virus, but few can explain what it is and what diseases it can cause. To date, more than 100 types of human papillomavirus are known, which can cause:

• common warts of hands and feet,
• genital warts (condyloma acuminatum)
• and cervical cancer.

Condyloma acuminata is mainly caused by types 6 and 11, while 70% of cervical cancer is caused by types 16 and 18. Therefore, those types of virus that cause the development of pointed, flat or ordinary warts are not oncogenic.

Common plantar warts and warts of the hands, as well as flat warts can be infected by contact - skin to skin, for example during a handshake, or contact mediated - through household objects. Condylomas can be infected during sexual intercourse.

Treatment

There are several methods of treatment of warts and condyloma acuminate, among them the most popular and effective are: cryodestruction - freezing with liquid nitrogen, electrocoagulation and the use of keratolytic (exfoliating) ointments. Each of the treatment methods is effective both alone and in combination with each other and is selected individually for a specific case of the disease.

The next most common viral skin disease in medical practice is the herpes virus, which, depending on the type, can cause:

• labial development (more often type 1)
• or genital herpes (most often type 2)
• or diseases that are accompanied by accompanying symptoms and damage to other organs — shingles, chicken pox, etc.

Labial herpes is a herpetic lesion, which is manifested by the appearance of small bubbles on the skin of the lips. However, the bubbles themselves are quite difficult to see, because immediately after they appear, they crack with the formation of crusts. Very often, especially in children, concomitant bacterial infection is added to the herpetic crust, which can lead to widespread streptoderma and staphyloderma.

Genital herpes is an annoying viral disease of the skin and mucous membrane of the genitals, transmitted sexually and extremely difficult to treat. It manifests itself as a small vesicular rash on the genitals and can be acompanied by a feeling of itching, burning or pain.

Herpes zoster (shingles) is a viral skin disease that affects the skin in the form of vesicular rashes along the projection of the nerves, in addition, the function of the nerves themselves is disturbed, which is accompanied by severe pain, itching and paresthesias (a tingling sensation). After complete recovery, the virus goes to the nerve nodes and remains there in a latent state. In the future, this live virus can provoke the development of chicken pox.

For the treatment of herpes virus infection, external and systemic antiviral drugs are used, depending on the severity of the process and the severity of the course. In addition, to prevent relapses, it is necessary to correct the immune state, for which immunomodulators of natural and synthetic origin are used.

A well-known viral skin disease is molluscum contagiosum — small flesh-colored papules that can gradually grow to the size of a pea. When pressing on the papule with tweezers, a viscous white substance appears from the hole at the top of the formation. Molluscum contagiosum is a particularly common disease among children attending kindergartens and training groups or among children of younger grades. Infection mainly occurs during contact with the affected area of ​​the skin. In adults, the main route of transmission of this viral disease is sexual (when healthy skin rubs against affected skin). The main methods of treatment of molluscum contagiosum are the above-mentioned cryodestruction, electrocoagulation and mechanical exfoliation of elements.

The above-mentioned viruses attach especially easily to dry, irritated skin, for example, in children with atopic dermatitis or xerosis of the skin.

With flu epidemics that are common to us, we are all well aware of preventive measures, but what should be done in order to avoid infection with specific skin viral diseases? – the basis of the basics is to maintain the natural healthy state of your skin! Regular moisturizing with emollients will protect your skin, create a reliable barrier and reduce your chances of contracting a viral skin disease.

In the dermatological center "LeoDerm" you will not only be helped to get rid of your already existing viral disease, but most importantly, they will choose the right daily skin care that will protect you for a long time, and most importantly, with pleasure!