otc skin disorders by Dr-GAD

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What is SKIN?

The skin is the body's largest organ. It serves many important functions,including regulating body temperature, maintaining water and electrolyte balance, and sensing painful and pleasant stimuli. The skin keeps vitalchemicals and nutrients in while providing a barrier against dangeroussubstances from entering the body and provides a shield from the harmfuleffects of ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun. In addition, skin color,texture, and folds help mark people as individuals. Anything that interfereswith skin function or causes changes in appearance can have importantconsequences for physical and mental health.

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Skin components

The skin has three layers—the epidermis, dermis, and fat layer (alsocalled the subcutaneous layer). Each layer performs specific tasks.

Getting Under the Skin

The skin has three layers. Beneath the surfaceof the skin are nerves, nerve endings, glands,hair follicles, and blood vessels.

Epidermis

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The epidermis is the relatively thin, tough, outer layer of the skin. Most of the cells in the epidermis arekeratinocytes. They originate from cells in the deepest layer of the epidermis called the basal layer. New keratinocytes slowlymigrate up toward the surface of the epidermis. Once thekeratinocytes reach the skin surface, they are gradually shedand are replaced by younger cells pushed up from below.The outermost portion of the epidermis, known as the stratumcorneum, is relatively waterproof and, when undamaged,prevents most bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substancesfrom entering the body. The epidermis (along with other layers of the skin) also protects the internal organs, muscles, nerves, andblood vessels against trauma. In certain areas of the body thatrequire greater protection (such as the palms of the hands andthe soles of the feet), the outer keratin layer of the epidermis(stratum corneum) is much thicker.Scattered throughout the basal layer of the epidermis are cellscalled melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin, one of the main contributors to skin color. Melanin's primary function,however, is to filter out ultraviolet radiation from sunlight , whichcan damage DNA, resulting in numerous harmful effects,including skin cancer.The epidermis also contains Langerhans' cells, which are part of the skin's immune system. Although these cells help detectforeign substances and defend the body against infection, theyalso play a role in the development of skin allergies.

Dermis

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The dermis, the skin's next layer, is a thick layer of fibrous and elastic tissue (made mostly of collagen, elastin, andfibrillin) that gives the skin its flexibility and strength. The dermiscontains nerve endings, sweat glands and oil glands, hair follicles, and blood vessels.

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