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Skin Health - Preventive Path
General preventive measures against skin diseases
The red arrows () and red-printed factors are the facilitating points for diseases, whereas the blue arrows () and blue-printed factors are the mitigating points.
Do now
Watch for
Get help if
- Do now: Use sun protection (shade, clothing, broad-spectrum sunscreen), moisturize daily, keep wounds clean, avoid harsh chemicals.
- Watch for: Non-healing sores, spreading redness/swelling, new or changing moles, painful or pus-filled lesions, widespread rash.
- Get help if: Rapidly spreading rash, severe swelling, high fever with skin pain, chemical/thermal burns, signs of severe allergy.
Skin care checklist (tap to expand)
Seek urgent care immediately if any of the following occur:
- Severe burns, chemical spills on skin, or large blistering areas
- Spreading redness with fever, streaking, or rapidly worsening pain
- Facial/eye involvement, tongue/lip swelling, or breathing difficulty
This information supports—not replaces—professional medical advice. If you’re unsure or symptoms worsen, please seek care.
Causes
- Genetic
- Infections
- Skin injuries
- Other medical conditions in the body
- Allergies
- Reduced immunity ↓ ↑
-
Counter factors
- See Children Preventive Path
- Lead a health conscious lifestyle
- Comply with recommended immunization programs in authorized medical facilities in your locality
- Make “safety” your watchword as a way of life
- Report illnesses promptly to authorized medical facilities with which you cooperate to manage such conditions
- Deliberately avoid things your body reacts to
- Avoid skin contact with murky water when injured and prioritize wound care
← Risk Factors
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Poor nutrition
- Direct/continuous exposure to harmful chemicals, radiation or objects
- Continuous exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and other artificial sources (e.g., UV lamps)
- Aging
- Lack of physical activity
- Harmful traditional beliefs and practices
- Low socioeconomic status
- Overcrowding
- Poor immunization status
- Other medical conditions in the body
- Drug reactions
- Emotional and physical stress
- Unfavourable environmental temperatures (extremes)
- Pregnancy
← Lifestyle measures
- Regular (yearly) routine general medical screening
- Report illness early to authorized medical facilities
- Avoid substantial radiation as much as possible
- Avoid smoking, smoking environment and alcohol
- Avoid chemicals/toxins either by inhalation or through the mouth or skin as much as possible
- Avoid unnecessary exposure to ultraviolet radiation (sun and artificial sources)
- At least 30 minutes of exercise (like walking) per day
- Deliberate efforts at eating locally available nutritious and healthy foods
- Drink water liberally daily (at least 3 litres for adults and for children, see Children Preventive Path)
- Avoid skin contact and sharing skin-contact items like clothes and footwear with others (especially strangers)
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water (or sanitize) especially after contacting external surfaces
- Ensure adequate (at least six hours) refreshing sleep daily
- Avoid physical and emotional stress
- Discuss your traditional beliefs and practices regarding your health with your doctor in order to avoid harmful practices
↓
Human Disease Processes
↑
- Early hospital visit when ill
- Avoid self-medication
← Risk Factors
- Poorly nourished persons
- Self-medication
- Emotional Stress
← Lifestyle measures
- Healthy and nutritious diet lifestyle
- Avoid self-medication
- Report your emotional stress to your doctor, meanwhile visit lordsforerunner.org
↓
Disability
↑
- Early initiation of rehabilitation program
← Risk Factors
- Late reporting of illness or skin problem to the hospital
- Self-medication
← Lifestyle measures
- Early hospital visit when ill
- Avoid self-medication
↓
Death
← Risk Factors
- Unhealthy lifestyle
← Lifestyle measures
- Healthy lifestyle