Integumentary system and diseases

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 Discuss how skin contributes to the maintenance of homeostasis.

The skin plays a vital role in maintaining homeostasis. The skin helps to prevent

dehydration by preventing water loss. Water loss regulation and other mechanisms, such

as extended hair and underlying tissue, prevent excessive water losses. The skin regulates

body temperature through sweating to cool down the body. The skin also performs

thermoregulation by providing insulation against heat loss, hence keeping warmth. The

skin performs vital functions in homeostasis by protecting against pathogenic

microorganisms and other toxic substances. The skin contains a barrier against the entry

of these pathogenic microorganisms and commensal bacteria that reside in the skin to

help fight against diseases. The skin also helps in the excretion of waste materials,

preventing the build-up of toxic materials in the body (Contardi et al., 2021).

Discuss types of skin cancers.

Cancer begins when regular cell growth changes and becomes uncontrolled,

forming tumors. There are four significant types of skin cancers. These are basal cell

carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell cancer, and melanoma. Basal cell

carcinoma occurs in the basal cells located in the lower epidermis. Basal carcinoma is

common in the head, neck, and most rarely, anywhere on the skin. People who have

received radiation therapy are at a higher risk of developing basal carcinoma (Contardi et

al., 2021). Squamous cell carcinoma occurs in the squamous cells of the epidermis. This

type of cancer is commonly associated with prolonged UV exposure, x-ray, burns, and

chemicals. Markel cell cancer is a highly aggressive form of cancer that is fast-growing.

Though the disease is rare, it attacks the hormone-producing cells that lie beneath the
skin where the hair follicles lie. Melanoma attacks melanocytes interfering with skin

pigmentation and color (Contardi et al., 2021).

Discuss degrees of burns.

There are three degrees of burns. These are first-degree burns, second-degree

burns, and third-degree burns. First-degree burn only affects the outer epidermal layer of

the skin. Second-degree burns affect part of the epidermis and the dermis. Third-degree

burns destroy the dermis and the epidermis and reach the subcutaneous tissue. A fourth-

degree burn is the most severe, involving all the layers of the skin together with

underlying tissue that may go as far as reaching muscles and bones (Contardi et al.,

2021).
 Reference

Contardi, M., Lenzuni, M., Fiorentini, F., Summa, M., Bertorelli, R., Suarato, G., &

Athanassiou, A. (2021). Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives formulations for

skin damages and disorders: A review. Pharmaceutics, 13(7), 999.