All-access guide to five common skin conditions

Your skin—the body’s largest organ—acts as a barrier to the environment, which limits the passage (inward and outward) of water and other substances. But that’s not all. Your skin also protects against bacteria and viruses, ultraviolet radiation and more.

Needless to say, keeping your skin healthy is important. Sometimes, skin conditions—characterized by dry patches, redness, swelling and small bumps, among other things—can affect this important barrier, for a number of different reasons. Many of them are out of your control.

Although many skin conditions resemble one another, they’re not the same. In fact, the triggers and treatments for common, chronic skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis, vary widely.

We spoke with Brian Cha, MD, PhD, medical director of dermatology at IHA, part of the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, about some things to know about common, long-term skin disorders, including causes, diagnosis and treatment options.