Who Is Susceptible?

Everyone is vulnerable to skin problems. Despite the strength and durability of the skin, there are few among us who have never dealt with a skin condition, whether it be acne, athlete’s foot, or even a simple scrape or burn. No one is exempt: There are skin conditions specific to every age group, as well as many that strike regardless of years, skin type, or general health. In fact, some skin conditions strike without any known cause.
Still, there are groups that may suffer more skin problems than others. People whose immune systems are compromisedfor example, people who have AIDS or who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancerare much more susceptible to skin disorders than the rest of the population. Those who have used antibiotics for long periods may suffer more bacterial skin infections than others because the organisms have become resistant to the medications. In addition, anyone whose resistance is down, perhaps because of stress or illness, is vulnerable to disease.
When the skin is vulnerable to disease, your overall health may be at stake. However, working to keep your skin in top shape can help you boost your immune system, speed your rate of healing, increase production of the vital vitamin D, help fight off the ill effects of the environment, and prevent or slow the effects of aging. In addition, you reduce your risk for some types of skin disease, which helps to preserve the integrity of your skin. And of course, your skin will look its best, helping you to feel even better.
With this in mind, let’s get right to some tips on how to help keep your skin healthy. Chapter 2 deals with skin-care basics, while Chapter 3 covers proper use of cosmetics and advanced skin-care products and treatments. Information on how to handle common skin conditions can be found in Chapter 4.