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The SKin
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| parts of skin |
The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. The skin protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate body temperature, and permits the sensations of touch, heat, and cold.
Skin has three layers:
The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, provides a waterproof barrier and creates our skin tone. The dermis, beneath the epidermis, contains tough connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands. The deeper subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is made of fat and connective tissue.
The skin’s color is created by special cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin. Melanocytes
are located in the epidermis.
Skin Conditions
Rash:
Nearly any change in the skin’s appearance can be called a rash. Most rashes are from simple skin irritation; others result from medical conditions.
Dermatitis:
A general term for inflammation of the skin. Atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema) is the most common form.
Eczema:
Skin inflammation (dermatitis) causing an itchy rash. Most often, it’s due to an overactive immune system.
Psoriasis:
An autoimmune condition that can cause a variety of skin rashes. Silver, scaly plaques on the skin are the most common form.
Dandruff:
A scaly condition of the scalp may be caused by seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, or eczema.
Acne:
The most common skin condition, acne affects over 85% of people at some time in life.
Cellulitis:
Inflammation of the dermis and subcutaneous tissues, usually due to an infection. A red, warm, often painful skin rash generally results.
Skin abscess (boil or furuncle):
A localized skin infection creates a collection of pus under the skin. Some abscesses must be opened and drained by a doctor in order to be cured. A chronic skin condition causing a red rash on the face. Rosacea may look like acne, and is poorly understood.
Warts:
A virus infects the skin and causes the skin to grow excessively, creating a wart. Warts may be treated at home with chemicals, duct tape, or freezing, or removed by a physician.
Melanoma:
The most dangerous type of skin cancer, melanoma results from sun damage and other causes. A skin biopsy can identify melanoma.
Basal cell carcinoma:
The most common type of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is less dangerous than melanoma because it grows and spreads more slowly.
Seborrheic keratosis:
A benign, often itchy growth that appears like a “stuck-on” wart. Seborrheic keratoses may be removed by a physician, if bothersome.
Actinic keratosis:
A crusty or scaly bump that forms on sun-exposed skin. Actinic keratoses can sometimes progress to cancer.
Squamous cell carcinoma:
A common form of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma may begin as an ulcer that won’t heal, or an abnormal growth. It usually develops in sun-exposed areas.
Herpes:
The herpes viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause periodic blisters or skin irritation around the lips or the genitals.
Hives:
Raised, red, itchy patches on the skin that arise suddenly. Hives usually result from an allergic reaction.
Tinea versicolor:
A benign fungal skin infection creates pale areas of low pigmentation on the skin.
Viral exantham:
Many viral infections can cause a red rash affecting large areas of the skin. This is especially common in children.
Shingles (herpes zoster):
Caused by the chickenpox virus, shingles is a painful rash on one side of the body. A new adult vaccine can prevent shingles in most people.
Scabies:
Tiny mites that burrow into the skin cause scabies:
An intensely itchy rash in the webs of fingers, wrists, elbows, and buttocks is typical of scabies.
Ringworm:
A fungal skin infection (also called tinea). The characteristic rings it creates are not due to worms.
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Skin care: Tips for healthy skin
By Murphy A
Good skin care — including sun protection and gentle cleansing — can keep your skin healthy and glowing.
Don't have time for intensive skin care? You can still pamper
yourself by acing the basics. Good skin care and healthy lifestyle
choices can help delay natural aging and prevent various skin problems.
Get started with these five no-nonsense tips.
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1. Treat your skin gently
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| Skin Treating Gently |
Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle:
- Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or
baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and
use warm — rather than hot — water.
- Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.
- Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your
skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest
shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows,
not against it.
- Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.
- Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.
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2. Eat a healthy diet
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| Healthy Diet |
A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of
fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association
between diet and acne isn't clear — but some research suggests that a
diet rich in fish oil or fish oil supplements and low in unhealthy fats
and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking
skin. Drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin hydrated.
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3. Manage stress
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| zero stress |
Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger
acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a
healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress. Get enough
sleep, set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time
to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you
expect.
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4. Protect yourself from the sun
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| stay away from sun |
One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.
For the most complete sun protection:
- Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.
- Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.
- Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an additional layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing — which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays.
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5. Don't smoke
Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow and makes skin paler. This also depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health.
Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — can contribute to wrinkles.
In addition, smoking increases your risk of squamous cell skin cancer. If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking.
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