What is Skin?
The skin is the outer covering of the body, also known as the epidermis, of an animal. It is the largest organ of the human body made up of multiple layers of epithelial tissues, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments, and internal organs.
Unclean skin favors the development of pathogenic organisms – the dead cells that continually slough off of the epidermis mix with the secretions of the sweat and sebaceous glands and the dust found on the skin to form a filthy layer on its surface. If not washed away, the slurry of sweat and sebaceous secretions mixed with dirt and dead skin is decomposed by bacterial flora, producing a foul smell. Functions of the skin are disturbed when it is excessively dirty; it becomes more easily damaged, the release of antibacterial compounds decreases, and dirty skin is more prone to develop infections.
Because it interfaces with the environment, skin plays a very important role in protecting (the body) against pathogens. Its other functions are insulation, temperature regulation, sensation, synthesis of vitamin D, and the protection of vitamin B folates. Severely damaged skin will try to heal by forming scar tissue. This is often discolored and depigmented.
The Skin is composed of three primary layers:
The epidermis, which provides waterproofing and serves as a barrier to infection. The epidermis contains no blood vessels, and cells in the deepest layers are nourished by diffusion from blood capillaries extending to the upper layers of the dermis. The main type of cells which make up the epidermis are Merkel cells, keratinocytes, with melanocytes and Langerhans cells also present.
The dermis, which serves as a location for the appendages of skin. The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane. It also harbors many Mechanoreceptor/nerve endings that provide the sense of touch and heat. It contains the hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands, lymphatic vessels and blood vessels.
The hypodermis (subcutaneous adipose layer). The hypodermis is not part of the skin, and lies below the dermis. Its purpose is to attach the skin to underlying bone and muscle as well as supplying it with blood vessels and nerves. It consists of loose connective tissue and elastin. The main cell types are fibroblasts, macrophages and adipocytes (the hypodermis contains 50% of body fat).
Dermatosis (plural dermatoses), is defined as "any disease of the skin," and, while thousands of skin disorders have been described, only a small number account for most visits to the doctor.
As skin ages, it becomes thinner and more easily damaged. Intensifying this effect is the decreasing ability of skin to heal itself as a person ages. Skin aging is caused by the fall in elasticity. Aging skin also receives less blood flow and lower gland activity.
| Pub. Date | Topic | Author |
|---|
| 2011-07-08 | Epidermolysis Bullosa and Severe Pain | Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres |
| 2011-06-22 | Why Does Skin Turn White When Pressed | DW |
| 2011-06-05 | Facial Wrinkle Severity May Predict Bone Density in Early Menopause | The Endocrine Society |
| 2011-04-22 | Adult Shingles - New Hope for Treatment | University of Georgia |
| 2011-02-04 | Athletes Prone to Skin Conditions | American Academy of Dermatology |
| 2010-12-10 | Plantar Maladies - Plantar Fibromatosis | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2010-12-08 | Age Spots, Also Known as Sun Spots | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2010-12-07 | Aging Skin Including Sagging and Wrinkles | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2010-12-03 | Pre-cancers and Actinic Keratosis | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2010-12-02 | Lower Occurrence of Atopic Dermatitis in Children | University of Zurich |
| 2010-11-14 | Poison Oak - Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2010-11-12 | Melasma or Mask of Pregnancy | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2010-11-11 | Impetigo Skin Infection - Facts and Information | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2010-11-10 | Bruising of the Hands And Arms | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2010-10-24 | Cellulitis Information, Causes and Treatment | Disabled World |
| 2010-10-18 | New Non-Invasive Procedure to Get Rid of Stretch Marks | Epione Medical Corporation |
| 2010-10-14 | Moles, Dysplastic Nevi, and Melanoma | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2010-10-13 | Hives - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2010-10-12 | Prickly Heat (Heat Rash) - Facts and Information | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2010-10-07 | Grover's disease - Features, Diagnosis, and Treatment | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2010-10-07 | Cysts - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2010-09-29 | Barnacles of Aging - Seborrheic Keratoses - Facts and Treatment | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2010-09-27 | Anal Warts - Prevention and Treatment | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2010-09-25 | Liver or Age Spots - Causes, Treatment, Preventing and Removal | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2010-09-16 | Postherpetic Neuralgia Awareness | American Pain Foundation |
| 2010-06-13 | Scar Removal Treatment Types | Sara Goldstein |
| 2010-06-03 | UV Nail Lamps Safe for Skin, According to CND | CND |
| 2010-03-20 | Scleroderma - Stiff Skin Syndrome | Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions |
| 2009-12-21 | Skin Aging and Wrinkles Factor | JAMA and Archives Journals |
| 2009-11-22 | Clark's Nevus - Facts and Information | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2009-11-16 | Darier Disease - Facts and Information | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2009-11-15 | Keloids - Facts and Information | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2009-10-09 | Shingles Raises Risk of Stroke | American Heart Association |
| 2009-09-09 | LED Light and Green Tea Get Rid of Facial Wrinkles | American Chemical Society |
| 2009-08-06 | Dry Skin Causes and Treatment | Skincare Products |
| 2009-07-03 | Hyperhidrosis - Excessive Sweating Problem | Sally Rider |
| 2009-07-03 | How To Treat Sweaty Smelly Feet Problems | Kacy Carr |
| 2009-06-16 | Psoriasis Survey Reveals Devastating Impact on Quality of Life | Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery |
| 2009-05-19 | Researchers Discover why Eczema Often Leads to Asthma | Washington University School of Medicine |
| 2009-04-14 | Athlete's Foot - Causes Symptoms and Treatment | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2009-04-07 | Immune Cells in Skin Fight off Infection | University of Melbourne |
| 2009-03-30 | Shingles or Herpes Zoster a Painful Skin Disease | Disabled World |
| 2009-03-27 | Fragrance Ingredients in Shampoos and Conditioners Can Cause Eczema | University of Gothenburg |
| 2009-02-16 | Types of Skin Diseases Among Military Personnel | JAMA and Archives Journals |
| 2009-01-22 | Sarcoidosis Disease Information | Thomas C. Weiss |
| 2009-01-09 | Restore Aging and Sun Damaged Skin | Ray Socram |
| 2009-01-09 | Common Skin Conditions and Problems | Carolynsue |
Permalink
