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Skin

The skin is made up of three layers, the epidermis (outer layer), the mesodermis (middle layer), and the endodermis, which contains subcutaneous tissue (inner layer.) 

The Epidermis

The skin covers the entire body and protects the body against infection and injury to the underlying tissue and organs.  Skin helps the body to control body chemicals, fluid balance, and body temperature.  New skin cells are constantly made in the lower layer and move to the surface of the skin to replace old and dead cells.

The Mesodermis (dermis)

The dermis is the thickest part of the skin and it is located under the epidermis.  It holds melanocytes (skin cells that produce eye and skin color pigments), sweat glands, sebaceous glands (glands producing oils), hair follicles and hair erector muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and other connective tissues.  Blood vessels contract and expand in respond to cold and hot climates to regulate the body temperature.  The fluid (sweat) and other waste products are collected from the blood and moved to the surface of the skin to be discarded through the sweat pores.  This way the body can cool down through loss of sweat.  The Sebaceous glands produce oil that lubricates the skin and hair are, insulates the body against hot and cold. 

The Endodermis

Oil producing glands are located at this layer.

 The most common skin types are:

Normal Skin

Normal skin is healthy looking, soft, smooth, and consistent in color and look.  It has hardly visible pores and no blemishes.  It has a sufficient amount of fibers, and the skin is flexible and resistant because of the healthy collagen.  Wash the skin including face the with mild soap and warm (not hot) water periodically to remove dirt, oil, sweat, and other debris, and avoid irritants and use the right products for your skin type in order to have the normal and healthy skin.  Make sure to remove all the soap from the body and pat the skin dry.

Oily Skin

Oily skin has thick texture, enlarged pores, and it is glossy and sticky to the touch.  Clean and exfoliate your skin with a cleanser made especially for oily skin to keep it healthy. The skin will be flexible, resistant and healthy looking. 

Some oily skins do not have the glossy and shiny look, but have a rough texture and clogged pores.  This type doesn’t have the flexibility and resistance of regular oily skin and it is easily dehydrated.  Keep this type of skin hydrated and clean. 

Dry Skin

Loss of oil and moisture from the surface of the skin as a result of constant washing the skin with the harsh soaps and frequent exposure to the cold and dry weather or even air conditioner/heater produces dry skin.  To overcome this problem, limit washing your skin with soap and water, use lotions made especially for dry skin, avoid using fragrant lotions, and use baby oil in your bath water. 

Skin Diseases

There are many skin diseases including dermatitis, eczemas, psoriasis, rashes and acnes caused by allergy, irritation and infection.

Infections

Skin infection can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi. 

Viral Infection

Viral infections happen when a virus (such as Herpes, Wart, Chicken pox, and Measles.) makes its way into the skin.  A viral infection can not be treated with antibiotics (hence: anit-bacteria) since the virus is only alive when it penetrates and takes over a live cell.

Bacterial Infection

Bacterial infections happen when bacteria (such as Folliculitis, Cellulitis, and Lime disease.) make its way into the skin.  When the bacteria enters the body, the body reacts by making the area warm to kill the bacteria (bacteria are temperature sensitive), and swells as the immune system attacks the bacteria.  If the bacteria find its way into the blood stream, it spreads throughout the body, and in this case, antibiotic would be an effective choice.  Please remember the antibiotics must be taken in full course, even if you feel better after a few days.

Fungal Infection

Different types of fungus live on the surface of the skin without causing any problem, but if they find their way into the skin, they would cause infection.  This infection can effect the nails, hairs, and skin; and cause irritation and itching.  Normally these types of infections are on the surface and they don’t penetrate deep into the skin.  If the fungi spread deeper into the skin they may cause more serious problems, especially in people with compromised immune systems. 

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is identified as sensitive skin, severe itching, red colored rashes, and swelling.   It can occur when the skin makes contact with the source of allergy (allergen), and it can take up to 2 days for the symptoms to appear.  Allergies can develop at any time and at any age.  To help treat dermatitis:  

·      Consult a Dermatologist and follow her/his treatments.

·        Avoid washing your skin with harsh, drying soaps and deodorant soaps or other allergens; instead use natural and mild soaps. 

·        Always wear protection like gloves when washing dishes or using your hands to work. 

·        Do not use oily lotions that block hydration, and do not rub the skin with brushes or a washcloth. 

·        Apply moisturizer lotion before drying and while your skin is moist.

·      Avoid touching your face or other part of the body when you come in contact with the allergen.   

Psoriasis

The cause of Psoriasis is unknown but, it is believed to be a genetic disorder.  Psoriasis is not contagious, but it may develop on traumatized skin.  Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that can began at any age and is able to affect the skin (including the scalp), hair, nails, elbows, knees, and joints.   You can not treat psoriasis, but you can control it in the following ways. 

·        Wash your skin often and your hair daily, and keep them moist and lubricated.   

·        Exposure to sunlight is helpful up to fifteen minutes a day. (you will gain your vitamin D too.)

·        Avoid using products that irritate your skin.

·        Avoid wearing tight shoes and tight clothing, including jewelry and hats. 

·        Avoid scratching your skin.

·        Avoid cold environment, and skin injury.

·        For Severe psoriasis, consult a Dermatologist and follow her/his instructions.  For Mild psoriasis you can use over-the-counter drugs.

·        Avoid washing your skin with harsh, drying soaps and deodorant soaps or any other allergen; instead use natural and mild soaps. 

·        Use alcohol-free soaps since alcohol will dry your skin and worsen the symptoms of the psoriasis.

Skin Cancer

 Skin cancer is the most common cancer and it is caused by cells that multiply and grow faster than normal and do not stop when they reach the optimum numbers.  More than 90% of skin cancers are caused by excessive exposure to the sun.  Some growths are harmless and some others are cancerous. Early detection increases the chance of survival; therefore, frequent self checks and regular check ups are recommended.   There are three types of skin cancer: 

·        Basal Cell Cancer (Basal call Carcinoma) Curable

·        Squamous Cell Cancer Spreadable

·        Melanoma Deadliest 

Basal Cell Cancer 

Prolonged sun damage to the skin can cause Basal Cell Cancer or Carcinoma.  The lighter the skin the more damage the skin receives from direct sunlight.  These slow-growing cancer cells gradually take over the adjoining cells and grow further, but they don’t metastasize.  Removing the cancerous cells is a very wise choice, but it does not guarantee that the cancer will not develop again in the same spot or very close to it.   

Melanoma 

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of cancer that has been linked to direct sunlight (UV light) and reduction of the ozone layer (which blocks UV light).  Melanoma begins with a harmless mole (usually black but it can be another color) that can spread to other parts of the body (metastasize).  Once the cancer has metastasized it is too late to treat.  Melanoma is not age or gender specific.  People at risk are people with family a history of melanoma and fair-skinned people.  There are ABCD’s of melanoma that you should pay attention to. A:  Asymmetry (when you draw an imaginary line from the center of the mole, the two halves look different.)  B: Border (the mole has rough and uneven borders.)  C: Color (the mole has differences in shade.)  D: Diameter (the mole has larger than ¼ inch.)  If you see any of the above signs, contact your doctor immediately.                              

   Squamous Cell Cancer

Squamous Cell Cancer is also related to prolonged sun exposure and it most commonly occurs on exposed areas such as the face and hands.  If squamous Cell Cancer is not treated in time, it will metastasize to other parts of body, and it would be too late to treat.  People who are more likely to develop squamous cell cancer are fair-skinned people, people with a family history of skin cancer, and people who have had Squamous Cell Cancer.

Prevention

To avoid sun damage, protect your skin by avoiding sunlight between the peak hours of 10:00am and 3:00pm, and apply sunscreen with sun protection factor of at least 15.  If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer, you should check your skin daily at home in front of a mirror and pay especial attention to existing moles, and also you should be checked professionally every six months.  You should be cautious from a very young age since skin cancer can take years to appear, and is most common to areas that have been exposed to sun light, such as the face and hands.

Trauma

 Damage to the surface of the skin, such as a cut or burn produces an open wound that makes the skin prone to different kinds of infection, which may lead to skin disorders.

Acne

People who have an oily skin are more prone to develop acne.  Acne is red and looks like condensed pimples.  The cause of acne is not completely understood, but it is related to hormone changes during puberty and menopause, stress, and unhealthy eating.  Acne develops as a result of pore blockages by oil, and it makes the environment suitable for bacteria to grow.  You can eliminate the spread of acne to other parts of body by properly cleaning your skin, and trying to not play with the pimple, which spreads the secretion.   Thus, if the skin is left untouched the pimple will heal and there no visible mark will remain on your skin.

Wrinkles

Wrinkles are caused by the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin resulting in skin drooping.

Rosacea

Rosacea causes redness, visible blood vessels as a result of skin thinness, and pimples on the face.  The cause of rosacea is unknown, but it can be controlled.

Varicose Veins and Spider Veins

Blood is pumped back to the heart from different parts of the body via veins.  Veins contain one-way valves that prevent the blood from running backwards.  When these valves become weak or breakdown, blood will flow back into the veins and produce varicose veins or spider veins.  Varicose veins are a more severe type of spider veins.  They are blue in color and are bulged out like a twisted cord.   They can develop anywhere on the body from the groin to the ankle.

Spider veins are a milder type of varicose veins that are blue in color and they are smaller. They can cover a small or large area on the legs or on the face.  

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This site designed by Akhtar Akhavan & edited by Shima Ebrahimi