Facial Skin Disease
Many facial skin diseases are common and need minimal treatment. Some are rare and can be disfiguring or even fatal if left untreated. Most of the diseases that appear on the face can appear on other parts of your body also. Many of these diseases mimic each other in symptoms, so it is best to be seen by a doctor for a diagnosis.
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Lichen Planus
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Lichen planus is a rare skin disease that can occur on the face. Symptoms include shiny red spots on the skin and grayish white spots if it occurs in the mouth. Its cause is unknown. It commonly appears in midlife and mostly in women. It is a reoccurring disease that may cause a dryness or metallic taste in the mouth as one of its first symptoms. It is thought that this may be a viral disease.
Rosacea
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Rosacea is a skin disease that occurs on the face. The rash appears as facial flushing, and papules and pustules can erupt. These appear on the chin, nose, cheeks and forehead. Rosacea on the nose is called rhinophyma, also referred to as "whiskey nose." Its cause is still not understood but it appears to be a cutaneous vascular disorder.
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Acne
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Acne is a common skin disease and although it is seen mostly during the teen years, you can get acne at any age. Acne is the term for plugged pores resulting in blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and cysts. There are many types of acne, ranging in severity from mild to disfiguring. Acne vulgaris is the most common type which can be also present in varying degrees.
Skin Cancer
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Skin cancer can occur on the face. A change in the appearance of the skin, such as a new growth or a sore that will not heal, is a symptom of this disease. There are three types of skin cancer. Melanoma is the most dangerous of the three because it tends to spread quickly to the other areas of the body. The others are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These diseases can be fatal if left untreated.
Psoriasis
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Psoriasis is also a skin disease that, although commonly found on elbows and knees, can occur on the face. With this disease the skin becomes red and inflamed and forms scaly patches. It can become very painful and it can itch, crack and bleed. This is a disease of the immune system.
Scleroderma
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Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease of the skin which can occur on the face. This debilitating disease hardens the skin leaving it tight and hard to move. Facial expressions of someone with this disease are sometimes nonexistent due to the stiffness of the skin. This disease can affect the entire body. It can be severe, eventually rendering the person unable to move. Its cause is unknown, but it is believed people can be genetically predisposed to it.
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