Some people are more sensitive than normal to mosquito bites, developing a condition called prurigo strofulum. These are people who, after a single bite, develop several red, itchy lesions, as if they had been attacked by several mosquitoes at the same time on different parts of the body. In prurigo strofulum, the lesions can last up to 1 month.
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is skin irritation caused by direct contact with an irritating substance.
There are two forms of contact dermatitis. The most common is that caused by skin contact with naturally irritating substances, that is, substances that cause irritation in practically everyone.
The second way is skin contact with substances to which the patient is allergic. These are generally substances that do not cause a reaction on the skin of most people, only in those who are allergic, such as people who are allergic to latex gloves.
Various substances and objects can cause contact dermatitis, including: jewelry, the poison ivy plant, latex, perfumes, rubber, leather, soaps, etc.
The main sign of contact dermatitis is the appearance of a reddish rash, which in the allergic form causes itching, and in the irritative form it causes burning. Small blisters and cracks in the skin may also appear. Contact dermatitis lesions tend to be restricted to areas of the skin that have had contact with the harmful substance.
In most cases, this dermatitis disappears after a few days, if the patient no longer has contact with the substance that triggered the lesion.
Dermatophytosis (skin ringworm)
Superficial mycoses of the skin are called dermatophytosis or tinea.
Dermatophyte fungi, that is, those that cause dermatophytosis, are those of the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum or Epidermophyton . Dermatophytosis is a mycosis different from candidiasis, which usually causes intertrigo (see next topic)
Dermatophytosis can affect different areas of the body, such as the scalp, feet, beard, nails or trunk and limbs. Skin mycoses are contagious and can be transmitted through contact with bedding, towels or common clothing.
The main symptoms of skin mycosis are itching and local redness. Tinea usually begins with a reddish, oval-shaped patch or spot, the center of which tends to lighten as the days go by. If left untreated, the lesions often expand into circles. Tinea cruris, which is the ringworm that affects the groin, can also appear as a large red plaque on the inner surface of both thighs.
Intertrigo (skin candidiasis)
Candidiasis intertrigo is a skin mycosis caused by the fungus Candida, which preferentially affects the intertriginous areas, that is, areas where there is contact between two skins, such as the groin, armpits, scrotum, lower region of the breasts or the region between the fingers.
These areas of folds are especially susceptible to the appearance of intertrigo, as they are humid and warm regions, which favors the proliferation of germs, especially fungi.
Skin candidiasis is manifested by very red plaques on the skin, with slight peeling and small red dots around them. These lesions can itch or burn and are located in areas of skin folds.
In babies, skin candidiasis is common in areas covered by the diaper.
Scabies (scabies)
Scabies, popularly known as scabies, is a skin disease caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite . Scabies is a contagious infection that can spread quickly through close physical contact, such as between people who live in the same house or with children in day care.
The classic symptom of scabies is diffuse itching across the body, which tends to be more intense at night. The typical lesions of scabies are small, raised, reddish dots or balls. In some cases, the lesions may be so small that they can be camouflaged by the scratches caused by intense itching.
The places most commonly affected by scabies are the hands, wrists, elbows, armpits, nipples, areas around the navel, genitalia, knees, buttocks, thighs and feet. The back is usually spared and the head, palms and soles are only usually affected in children.