Skin burning - causes and treatment

Burning skin

A burning skin is due in many cases harmless causes, which are due to short-term skin irritation. Occasionally, skin burning also indicates a serious health problem. For example, burning of the skin is an indication of incipient white skin cancer. Even though this reason for skin burning is rather rare, it does show that the complaint can not be fundamentally dismissed as banality. What is important in the assessment of the burning and how to treat the symptom in an emergency, you will learn in this post.

contents

• Burning skin
• definition
• Skin irritation as the main cause
• Skin burning with existing allergy
• Autoimmune diseases and skin burning
• Infections as a cause of skin burning
• Nervous diseases as a cause of skin burning
• Associated symptoms
• diagnosis
• therapy
• Possible diseases of skin burning

definition

The skin (Derma or Cutis) is the largest organ of our body and serves to protect it against external influences as well as a sense organ, through which we perceive sensations such as pain, heat, cold or just a burning sensation. It is necessary to differentiate between different skin layers. If you leave out the mucous membrane, which is mainly found inside the body, the skin can be divided into three layers:

• Epidermis:
  The epidermis represents the visible part of the skin layers. It serves as the actual protective cover of the body, but at the same time also absorbs all substances that are brought to the skin from the outside. Furthermore, the epidermis is responsible for the production of skin pigments, the so-called melanin. For this purpose, the epidermis is equipped with pigment-forming cells, the melanocytes.
• Dermis (dermis or corium):
  Anchored is the epidermis in the dermis. It consists mainly of connective tissue and extremely filigree capillary blood vessels, through which the epidermis is supplied with nutrients. The regulation of body temperature also takes place via the dermis, as here the sweat glands of the body are localized. Furthermore, the dermis houses the hair roots as well as the sensory receptors, which are essential for the sense of touch.
• Subcutis (subcutis):
  Like the dermis, the subcutis is also a part of connective tissue. In addition, it is also interspersed with fatty tissue, on the one hand the heat insulation, on the other hand serves as an energy storage. In addition, there are nerves and blood vessels in the subcutaneous tissue, which ensure the exchange of sensory stimuli and nutrients with the skin layers above the subcutis.

Skin burning can be due to many harmless causes, but it can also in rare cases to serious causes, which should be clarified necessarily medically. (Image: Dimid / fotolia.com)

The anatomical structure of the skin gives her an extremely robust character. Nevertheless, it is also susceptible to many symptoms of very different kinds and in particular to discomfort in existing skin irritation.

One of these common symptoms is the burning of the skin. How exactly it is produced, is not yet fully understood, however, the skin burning is mainly triggered by skin contact with irritating substances, suggesting that the burning is to be regarded as a warning signal of the sensory receptors. Burning skin is thus a stimulus reaction of irritated nerves.

Burning is often perceived differently by those affected and can range from a slight feeling of warming to itchy burning sensation or stinging pain. Thus, the intensity of the burning is not always the same, with strong skin burning commonly also indicates a stronger skin irritation. Likewise, the burning sensation on the skin may be associated with concomitant symptoms such as redness or inflammation, depending on the cause.

Skin irritation as the main cause

Many of the causes of a burning sensation on the skin are quite harmless in nature and usually arise from a short-term too high levels of external stimuli that affect the skin. Since the skin is very robust, it can tolerate them to a certain extent well and without permanent damage. However, it may lead to temporary skin irritation, but usually regulate itself again.

Thermal stimuli

A good example of thermal stimuli that leave a burning sensation on the skin is excessive heat. This can lead to a temporary or even prolonged burning of the skin. The function of the skin as sensory organ plays a decisive role in such processes. For example, the burning of the skin in hot showers or the handle to a hot object should primarily serve as a warning sign and move people to adjust the current action to prevent major damage from burns.

A sunburn certainly knows many, but also caution is necessary here, because too long a sunbath without reasonable UV protection, the skin can get long-term damage. (Image: vchalup / fotolia.com)

Also in the context of a sunburn develops next to a local redness usually a burning and tension of the skin. But this is not so much a warning function of the body as a defense reaction. Because a sunburn is basically a slight burn of the skin, which inevitably calls the immune system to counter the plan. In many cases, the skin regenerates here after a few days by itself. Nevertheless, in a sunburn in addition to an extensive skin care and the sun should be stopped as soon as possible in the future and the skin better protected ... Because the skin remembers each coarser damage and so can the next sunburn possibly cause even stronger burning.

Persistent, sometimes stinging burning after prolonged intense sunbathing without adequate protection can indicate the development of white skin cancer! The cancer is caused by degeneration of the basal layers of the epidermis and hair follicles and is often due to excessive UV radiation.

Mechanical stimuli

Skin burning caused by mechanical irritation can occur, for example, in unfavorable skin friction conditions. Especially when the skin is particularly dry and comes in contact with garments made of scratching materials, for example, this often leads to a skin irritation, which is perceived as burning, itching or stretching.

Skin burning through mechanical irritation is also conceivable in the course of the daily shave. On the one hand, it can lead to shaving of the uppermost skin layer, on the other hand to microscopic cuts in the skin tissue. Both can result from burning sensation, redness, and sometimes even slight bleeding and swelling.

The reason for this may be improper use, for example when working on the area of ​​the skin against the hair growth direction. Burning is further enhanced by shaving cream or shaving gel, as long as the substances penetrate through the shaving wounds into the skin. Many cosmetics contain many irritant ingredients, which are usually accepted by the epidermis without irritation, but on contact with the underlying layers of skin quickly overwhelm the sensory receptors.

Even with the proper use of razors, it can also cause skin burning in some people. This is often due to hypersensitivity of the skin or intolerance to metal or ingredients of shaving cream. (Image: triocean / fotolia.com)

By the way: Some people also react with proper use of razors with skin burning. In this case, the cause is most likely excessive skin sensitivity or intolerance to, for example, metal or shaving cream ingredients.

Chemical stimuli

Speaking of incompatibilities: Almost by default, skin burning on skin contact with various chemicals that have toxic or corrosive ingredients. The chemical substances can be quite different in nature and do not exclude even Pflanzenensekrete and aggressive care products. An existing allergy or intolerance increases the likelihood of a burning skin reaction even more. Examples of such chemical skin irritation include:

• Industrial chemicals (for example sprays),
• Household chemicals (e.g., detergents and cleaners),
• Care products (e.g., perfumes or lotions),
• Plant toxins (for example nettle or bear claw),
• Animal and insect venoms (for example spider, snake or mosquito poison).

How the burning of chemical stimuli comes about is best explained by the nettle. This has namely in their stinging hairs namely considerable amounts of histamine. This leads to inflammatory reactions in the skin, whose classic symptoms include a burning sensation.

It looks similar with animal and insect poisons. An example here is the burning or itchy mosquito bite, in which the insects introduce irritating and inflammatory secretions into the skin of their victim. The secretion should in most cases only cause local anesthesia or prevent blood clotting while drinking. However, the human immune system basically recognizes the secretion as an alien substance and reacts with corresponding symptoms of inflammation and discomfort as a warning signal.

Even in insect bites, such as a mosquito bite, the human immune system reacts with inflammatory symptoms and discomfort as a warning signal. (Image: Ralf Geithe / fotolia.com)

Skin burning with existing allergy

Another very wide range of causes of burning on the skin is in the area of ​​hypersensitivity and allergies. The events here are usually closely associated with chemical irritation. Very often, the skin-specific symptoms of allergies occur when the triggering substance had direct contact with the skin surface. Classic examples include intolerances and allergies to certain ingredients in:

• Care articles (for example perfumes),
• Garments (for example synthetic fibers),
• Jewelry (for example nickel),
• Cleaning agents and disinfectants (for example preservatives).

The mechanism of development here is similar to skin burning by contact with a stinging nettle to explain by an increased release of the inflammatory messenger histamine. However, this substance is increasingly produced in allergies by the body itself, due to a dysregulation of the immune system.

The histamine-mediated symptoms are usually limited to the skin in allergic causes. However, allergens that access the body via the respiratory or digestive pathways (such as food, medicines or pollen) can trigger burning irritant reactions on the skin. If these are causally involved in skin burning, the symptoms usually widen many times over, and in addition to skin complaints such as burning, redness of the skin and itching, respiratory, digestive and / or circulatory complaints may also occur.

Autoimmune diseases and skin burning

Allergies are already a form of immunological dysfunction with skin burning as a possible concomitant symptom. Even more severe is often suffering for patients with a skin-related autoimmune disease. And even with some autoimmune diseases, which primarily concern not the skin, but other areas of the body, skin burning is listed as a disease symptom. Burning is in such cases due to chronic malfunction of the immune system, the immune response is not directed against foreign body, but against the body's own substances. Some examples of diseases are in this regard:

• fibromyalgia,
• Psoriasis (Psoriasis vulgaris),
• eczema,
• Lupus erythematosus,
• Hashimoto's thyroiditis,
• multiple sclerosis,
• Diabetes mellitus type I.

In skin-related autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis skin burning is also a common disease symptom. (Image: hriana / fotolia.com)

The range of possible symptoms appears to be almost infinite in the context of autoimmune diseases, because the symptoms are usually not limited to an organ or organ system, but can manifest themselves in organ-specific, specific and nonspecific symptoms. So even the psoriasis, which is generally counted among the skin diseases, not only associated with the disease-typical dandruff plaques on the elbows, knees and scalp. In addition, the disease can also be felt by severe joint pain and swelling of the fingers and toes.

As a cause, it is now safe in medicine, immune processes of the body are defined against certain endogenous tissue types.

However, it is not yet fully understood what causes the body to form autoantibodies against its own structures. Both autoimmune skin diseases and most other autoimmune diseases are now most likely to be multi-factorial, with the following components in mind:

• Genetic disposition:
  Mutations at key DNA interfaces in body cells create a congenital susceptibility to develop one or more autoimmune diseases.
• External influences:
  Stress, environmental pollutants and medicines can drive the alertness of the immune system so high that ultimately the body is not only directed against the exogenous influences.
• infections:
  An infection with certain pathogens may eventually lead to an autoimmune disease. This occurs, for example, when the surface structure of the pathogen, against the immune system forms antibodies that are similar to how the body's own tissue.
• Concomitant factors:
  A weakened immune system (for example due to tumors, inflammation or infections), but also hormonal special situations such as pregnancy, the climacteric or permanent contraception with hormone preparations are also suspected to at least incite autoimmune processes.

So there are many different factors that can promote the occurrence of autoimmune diseases. In the rarest cases, a single triggering cause can be identified in those affected. It is usually the interaction of several factors that lead to the onset of the disease.

The most well-known infectious disease as a trigger for skin burning is certainly the herpes infection. (Image: Dmytro Flisak / fotolia.com)

Infections as a cause of skin burning

In terms of infectious diseases is the cause of skin burning the infection with herpes simplex virus, in short, a herpes infection, the best known. The herpes viruses can locally immigrated to certain areas of the skin and thereby trigger burning and itching of the skin in combination with liquid-filled blisters. The liquid in the bubbles contains the viruses in the highest concentration and is therefore very contagious. In addition, the infectious Bläscheninhalt is also highly flammable, which is ultimately responsible for the burning.

The most common is the herpes infection in the area of ​​the lips and is called herpes labialis (cold sores). But it can also be found in the genital area as so-called genital herpes.

Skin irritations, which are accompanied by blistering and burning of the skin, are also found in shingles caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also belongs to the family of herpesviruses. At first infection, the virus leads to a chickenpox disease and then the viruses sometimes remain for decades in the organism, before it comes to their reactivation and an onset of shingles. The symptoms are usually limited to one half of the body and are localized with few exceptions, the body trunk or head.

An infection with borreliosis (borreliosis), which enter the body through the bite of a tick, can trigger many skin symptoms both in the initial stage, as well as in the later chronicity of Lyme disease. In addition to the burning of the skin is also characteristic of this disease, a redness, which spreads circular around the bite of the tick and thus the entry point of the Borrelia. (Erythema migrans).

In the later course, if necessary, the off-skin areas of the forearms and lower legs turn bluish, thin and thus vulnerable to many sensations. Because Lyme disease can cause serious and lasting damage to your health and can cause lifelong paralysis, brain and meningitis, burning this infectious disease is no joke. If there is the slightest suspicion of a tick bite as the cause of circular skin redness associated with burning skin, seek medical advice immediately.

Nervous diseases as a cause of skin burning

Nerves in the body have the task of transmitting motor and sensory signals. If they are damaged by disease processes, they can no longer or no longer perform this signal conduction to the usual extent. It therefore inevitably leads to functional failures in the target organs, which manifest themselves in paralysis (target organ: muscle) and discomfort or deafness (target organ: skin). Corresponding nerve damage or nerve disorders can have very different causes:

• Traumatic events:
  Nerve damage as a result of accidents, falls or injuries (e.g., fractures, bruises).
• Stress:
  Nervous disorders due to persistent overload and tension of the nerves (for example, pressure of appointment or pressure or states of anxiety).
• Degenerative processes:
  Nerve damage as a result of wear processes (for example carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, herniated disc).
• Deposit of toxins:
  As a result of metabolic diseases in the course of which toxins accumulate on the nerve endings (diabetic neuropathy, hepatic neuropathy).

Although nerve cells are capable of regeneration to a certain extent, this process is very lengthy and dependent on many supporting factors. The burning can thus disappear again in the course of the regeneration, or persist permanently, provided that the nerve damage can not be undone.

Depending on the cause, hairdryers may experience a host of other complaints, such as pimples. (Image: gstockstudio / fotolia.com)

Associated symptoms

As already indicated, with skin burning depending on the cause may be associated with a wealth of other complaints. Infections and systemic diseases are commonly caused by concomitant symptoms such as general fatigue, tiredness, difficulty concentrating or nausea. On the other hand, skin diseases and allergies usually show not only burning sensations on the skin, but also the typical symptoms of inflammation. To stay with the accompanying skin symptoms, the following symptoms can be noted:

• Vesicular, pimple or pustule formation,
• erythema,
• Hautschuppungen,
• swelling of the skin,
• skin lesions,
• stinging pain on the skin.

diagnosis

As skin burning is a sensation, the symptom can be difficult to detect by a doctor. But it looks different with the concomitant symptoms and possible causes of illness.

Accompanying symptoms such as redness or swelling can be detected by the doctor already by mere eye diagnosis. In addition, everyday events and existing health complaints presented by the patient during the anamnesis help to narrow down the possible cause. More precise results then laboratory investigation measures such as skin biopsies and blood tests. Likewise, imaging techniques can be used which quite reliably show inconsistencies in the area of ​​the skin layers and organs.

therapy

The treatment of skin burning is sometimes very individual in view of the different triggers. In some cases, traditional home remedies are enough to get over the burning skin. For causes of disease, however, usually only the underlying disease itself must undergo appropriate therapy before the burning subsides.

home remedies

If a mild sunburn or a temporary skin irritation is responsible for the burning, cooling envelopes often bring a significant improvement. When shaving, we recommend special lotions and aftershaves specially developed for use after shaving, which usually also contain anti-inflammatory components. Even some ointments and gels can reliably soothe the skin in case of a burning irritation.

Many medicinal plants can be found in cosmetic products such as Aloe Vera, which cools the skin and strengthens the skin barrier. (Photo: Subbotina Anna / fotolia.com)

medicinal plants

Many creams, gels and ointments to soothe the skin contain herbal supplements of herbs that have been proven to offer dermatological protection. For example, many after-sun lotions to prevent skin burning after sunbathing are based on extracts of aloe vera, which not only cool the skin, but also strengthen the skin barrier at the same time. The situation is similar with marigold ointment. The marigold has always been a popular medicinal plant for all sorts of skin complaints and can help with skin problems such as pustules or dry skin even with skin burning. Comfrey is also known as a herbal secret weapon against skin complaints. It can be bought for example in the form of the so-called Kytta ointment. All in all the following herbs are recommended for burning skin:

• Aloe vera,
• comfrey,
• stinging nettle,
• Green / black tea,
• Hamamelis,
• hemp,
• coltsfoot,
• St. John's Wort,
• burdock,
• bedstraw,
• toadflax,
• meadowsweet,
• Evening primrose,
• marigold,
• yarrow.

Many of the medicinal herbs mentioned have a high tannin content in the form of vegetable tannins (so-called tannins). They are known to narrow the skin pores and vessels by their astringent effect. This not only prevents the infiltration of infectious agents into the skin, but also reduce the release of itching and skin burning immune messengers such as histamine. As a result, appropriate skin complaints are so alleviated.

Incidentally, the medicinal plants can not be applied only in ointment form. They can also be used as an additive to an envelope or a nurturing spa. Two measures that are particularly suitable for skin problems, as they allow an uncomplicated supply of large areas of skin with the required herbal ingredients.

Changing dietary and everyday habits

Of course, allergic skin reactions first and foremost require avoidance of the responsible allergens. With regard to contact allergens, this means, for example, the avoidance of certain additives in care products. Instead, use products that are free of perfume and preservatives. If there is an allergy to certain textiles or metals (for example latex or nickel allergy), wear appropriate clothing and jewelery accessories such as earrings or necklaces.

Food allergies are similar. It often needs to be tested beforehand which foods trigger skin burning. Accordingly, in addition to a general allergy test, a special sensitivity of those affected during the meal is required. Very often, the allergic reactions in this context go back to food ingredients such as preservatives or dyes, nuts, various cereals and plant varieties. Likewise, allergies to citrus and seafood are repeatedly identified as a trigger of skin burning.

Burning on the skin can also be often triggered by stress, which is not just professional and personal stress, but also pollutants and extreme sun exposure. (Image: BillionPhotos.com/fotolia.com)

Another important everyday aspect to avoid burning skin is stress. This does not just mean professional and private stress, as it results from deadline pressure, nervousness or inner unrest. The skin itself can also be weakened due to stress. Among other things, stress due to high levels of pollutants in the environment and extreme solar radiation without suitable UV protection are possible. Both attacks the skin barrier in particular and should therefore be avoided as far as possible. When exposed to sunlight in particular, it is always sufficient to protect against skin damage from UV light. In addition to creaming with sunscreen, which must have an appropriate sun protection factor depending on the skin type, it is also important to make sun baths not very time consuming. More than 15 minutes in the blazing summer sun should not be exceeded here, as otherwise not only skin burning, but also consequential damage to the skin cells and thus an increased risk of skin cancer are promoted.

drugs

Tangible skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, which provoke a burning skin as a concomitant symptom, can basically only be controlled with suitable drugs. It is again referred to herbal ointments, for example, witch hazel or yarrow.

Likewise, ointments such as Eucerin, which contain moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, as well as skin-soothing additives such as urea, have proved their worth. Another tip is the so-called zinc ointment. It contains zinc oxide, vitamin A and occasionally cod liver oil - a nutrient mixture that is particularly good for the skin and supports its freedom from symptoms. Zinc is comparable in its effect with the tannins of tannin-containing medicinal herbs. Also widely recommended for itchy, dry, flaky and burning skin are also salycilic acid. similar to zinc, has a tannin-like effect, and healing clay, which also has a tonic and symptom-alleviating effect on the skin.

Antibiotic drugs such as fusidic acid or triclosan, as well as antiseptic drugs (for example chlorhexidine) are among the most important active ingredients against skin inflammation and skin infections as the cause of burning. Likewise, immunosuppressants such as glucocorticoids or prednisolone can help, although it should be noted that immunosuppressants have a very aggressive effect and, in the case of existing immunodeficiencies, may also increase the risk of infection.

Possible diseases of skin burning

• Contact allergy,
• Food allergy,
• fibromyalgia,
• psoriasis,
• eczema,
• Lupus erythematosus,
• Hashimoto's thyroiditis,
• multiple sclerosis,
• Diabetes mellitus type 1,
• herpes,
• shingles,
• Lyme disease,
• depressions,
• poisoning.

(Ma)