Preface

Mother Nature has always been the treasure trove for biologically active compounds that helped humanity to survive and thrive. Medicinal plants have played a major role in the development of human civilizations. Since antiquity, humans searched for natural sources to cure diseases, and they found their target in medicinal plants. The Egyptian, Greek, Indian, Chinese, and Aztec civilizations relied heavily on the use of medicinal plants to cure human and animal ailments. Medicinal plants have been used to treat all types of disorders, including cardiovascular, digestive, skin and kidney disorders. Skin disorders differ from other disorders by being external, can be detected by the naked eye, medicinal plant extracts can be easily applied to the disorders and the healing effect can be easily tracked. Skin is the largest organ in the human body and the first line of defense against traumas, infections and radiation. Skin is a dynamic organ with millions of cells dying and regenerating regularly. It is affected by a plethora of disorders and should be treated to avoid the spread of invasion to internal organs.

Medicinal plants have been used to treat skin disorders and to improve skin condition. They have also been used in cosmetic preparations to remove wrinkles, black spots and provide a radiant appearance. In the current book, we take the reader on an enjoyable journey of medicinal plants treating skin-related disorders. The first chapter deals with “Eczema, etiology and treatment”. Eczema is not a condition but a group of skin diseases that cause skin inflammation and irritation. It exists in seven different forms with different signs and symptoms. Eczema, also called Atopic dermatitis (AD), is its most prevalent and popular form, with a high global burden in morbidity and health-care costs. It is a chronic recurrent skin inflammatory disorder characterized by itching, redness, and burning sensation of dark or light patches or crusting eruptions of the skin. The second chapter discusses “Superficial mycoses as a challenging skin disorder”. Superficial mycoses of skin, nails and hair caused by dermatophytes, non-dermatophyte molds, yeasts and yeast-like fungi are among the common morbidities that invade particularly in tropical countries. Various antifungal agents, including polyenes, fluoropyrimidines, echinocandins, and azoles, have been commonly used, topically and/or orally, for the treatment of superficial mycoses. The third chapter focuses on “Acne and current possible treatments”. Acne vulgaris is one of the skin diseases related to the sebaceous gland, characterized by multiple pathogenic factors. The treatment strategies involve the blockage of these pathological factors. Conventional therapies for the treatment of Acne vulgaris in controlling its pathological factors are still inadequate in providing therapeutic effectiveness and exhibit remarkable side effects. The fourth chapter concentrates on “Vitiligo and treatment protocols”. Vitiligo is an abiding acquired skin disorder caused by the epidermal disappearance of pigment cells of localized and general skin mucosa, characterized by the appearance of symmetrical patches on the skin. The exact cause of this disorder is unknown, but genetic susceptibility, melanocyte growth factor deficiency, autoimmunity, and some neurological and environmental factors are believed to play a triggering role. The fifth chapter summarizes “Atopic Dermatitis Prevalence and How to manage it”. Atopic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disorder characterized by recurrent eczematous lesions and intense itch. The disorder affects people of all ages and ethnicities, has a substantial psychosocial impact on patients and relatives, and is the leading cause of the global burden of skin disease. Moreover, the persistence of atopic dermatitis has been reported in 60% of adults who had the disease as children. The sixth chapter deals with “Epidemiology, diagnosis, and policy framework for prevention and treatment schemes of skin infections in developing countries”. Skin disease (SD) infections are a common public health problem in developing countries. The prevalence is universal and can cause a significant economic burden. Besides, it is considered an essential source of morbidity among special groups like children and affects all ages and ethnicities globally. However, the impact of SD on the national public healthcare system is complex and poorly studied up-to-date, especially in developing countries. Moreover, the trends of SD have changed due to population aging, genetic and environmental factors. The seventh chapter discusses “Skin cancer as an emerging global threat and potential natural therapeutic”. Global advancement is facing a huge threat due to rising cases of skin cancer and potential health-system costs. Perception of skin cancer prevalence is important for the treatment, prevention strategies, and administration of medical allowances. In addition to fair and tanned skin being a risk factor for the development of disease, sedentary lifestyle habits and reduction in physical activities have increased the mortalities worldwide. This effort signifies information on the incidence, risk factors and mortality rates across six continents. The eighth chapter summarizes “Skin ulcers as a painful disorder with limited therapeutic protocols”. A skin ulcer is a type of open wound on the skin caused by injury, poor circulation, pressure, or infection. Specific forms of wounds are described using distinct terms, such as surgical incision, burn, and laceration. Skin ulcers can be extremely painful and take a long time to heal. They can become infected and cause other medical complications if left untreated. Treatment for skin ulcers is diagnosed on the basis of the ulcer as well as the underlying cause. However, there is still a shortage of efficient medicine in the skin ulcer treatment guidelines since wound management consists only of wound dressing, antibiotics, and pain control.

We covered in this book a wide array of skin disorders and how to treat them using medicinal plants. We included researchers from different countries to discuss their experience in using medicinal plants for the treatment of skin disorders. This book will guide researchers all over the world to understand the value of medicinal plants in treating skin disorders and how to move forward in their research.