What is skin? This is a natural barrier that is located between the external and internal environment of the body. Human skin performs a number of very important functions and tasks and ensures the smooth operation of the entire human body. In this article we will find out what is the significance of human skin, why is it necessary, what diseases can be exposed.
Skin function
- Thermoregulation is a very important process that should regulate the temperature of the human body and keep it constant, regardless of environmental conditions. More than 80% of heat transfer occurs through the skin.
- Receptor . Receptors are organs or cells that are able to translate an external action into nerve impulses and transmit signals of this effect to our nervous system. Painful, tactile receptors are located here. Those that respond to cold and heat. About 6 million cells are located on 1 square centimeter, and from them there will be 5 thousand receptors that are responsible for the perception of certain external signals.
- Protective is a very important function, since it is human skin, the meaning of which is disclosed in the article, that is a kind of barrier to the penetration of various infections through the surface of the body. Therefore, if there is any damage on the skin, they must be treated to prevent the entry of harmful substances into the human body. In addition, sweat is released on the surface of the skin, which has an acid reaction and kills most bacteria.
- Breathing Thanks to the skin in the human body, gas exchange occurs. Scientists are still arguing about the importance of gas exchange for human skin. But it is definitely known that through the skin we receive a large amount of oxygen.
- Excretory . Together with sweat, all those components are released through the skin that must be removed from the body for its proper functioning.
- Exchange . Regulation of water-salt and temperature balance. All this happens due to the metabolism with the environment. As a result, many processes taking place in the human body are regulated.
- Synthetic . The essence of this function is that a special pigment melanin is synthesized in human skin, which allows you to neutralize the effects of ultraviolet radiation. Melanin is a good antioxidant. In addition, with its help, the human body receives vitamin D, which protects it from bacterial infections and is still considered one of the best means of combating a disease such as tuberculosis. This vitamin causes the formation of protective peptides in the body that activate the immune system, and destroys Koch's wand.
- Deposition of blood. In blood vessels of the skin, about 1 liter of blood, which is a kind of untouchable reserve necessary when wounds occur, can linger.
- Self-cleaning . The skin constantly loses its cells due to contact with the environment, but due to regeneration we hardly notice this.
All these functions perfectly show how important human skin is.
Skin structure
Answering the question of what skin is, it is necessary to dwell on its structure. The skin consists of three layers. The outer layer is called the epidermis. It is he who is constantly in contact with the environment. The second layer is the skin itself, or dermis, or it is also called dermis. And the deepest layer is subcutaneous fatty tissue, which in individuals can reach a thickness of several centimeters. Let's consider all these three layers in more detail.
Epidermis
This layer consists of a stratified squamous epithelium (epithelial tissue lies on the border of almost all organs and the entire human body). These flat cells are very tight to each other in order to place the penetration of any parasites into our body. The epidermis, in turn, also consists of two layers. The first, the stratum corneum, consists of dead keratinized cells. Every day, a person loses up to several thousand of these cells, which, by the way, are the main component of the dust around us. The second, germ layer, is deeper. It consists of constantly dividing cells and helps to repair or regenerate damage to the stratum corneum. Between them is the basement membrane, which is a kind of border and separates one layer from another.
Dermis
Dermis consists of connective tissue. Its main component is collagen and elastic fibers. They give the skin elasticity. Thanks to this property, we can painlessly move our limbs, while stretching the skin. In addition, the dermis contains receptors, thanks to which we feel touch, pain, cold and warmth. There are also sweat and sebaceous glands of external secretion, which will release substances from the human body into the environment. And finally, in the dermis there are hair follicles and a small number of muscles that affect them.
Let us dwell on the glands and follicles. The glands are divided into sebaceous and sweat. The sebaceous glands secrete a special secret called sebum, which prevents the penetration of water into the human body, as well as the loss of moisture from the body. In humans, about 20 g of sebaceous secretion will be released during the day. Sweat glands look like swirling ducts with excretory duct. Depending on the physique, the intensity of physical activity in a person, about half a liter of sweat can be released daily. Sweat plays a crucial role in the water-salt balance, controlling homeostasis as a constancy of the internal environment, and in the heat regulation of the human body, because, evaporating from the surface of the body, it cools it.
Hair follicles are located deep in the dermis and underlie hair growth. The blood vessels that bring oxygen and essential nutrients and nerves come up to them.
Subcutaneous fat
This is the deepest layer, consisting mainly of adipose tissue and fat cells. This fat performs a number of useful functions. Firstly, this is a place of conservation of energy and fat-soluble vitamins, so that the human body can do without food for some time. Secondly, adipose tissue is an excellent heat-insulating material that protects the body from hypothermia. Thirdly, this layer of skin in a certain way protects a person from injuries and fractures.
We answered in detail the question of what skin is. Now we turn to the diseases to which the skin can be subjected, as well as to methods of treatment.
Diseases and skin treatment
What is skin? This is primarily an organ. And therefore, like any other organ of a person, he can get sick. What are the main problems associated with human skin?
Hives
Blisters on the skin, redness, itching - almost all of us have faced similar problems at least once in a lifetime, and some of us suffer from it constantly. Urticaria, and this is the name of this ailment, can cause many reasons. This is improper nutrition, and contact with synthetic materials, and, of course, the same allergy. Urticaria is easy to distinguish from other skin problems. It is characterized by blisters and itching. In addition, urticaria passes quickly enough (if we are not talking about a chronic disease). Blisters adhere to the skin for no more than a day. With urticaria, various antihistamines are usually prescribed.
Fungal diseases. Rubromycosis
Despite the great preventive medical work, fungal diseases are still widespread. The most common rubromycosis. It affects the skin of the feet and interdigital folds. With this disease appears flaky peeling and cracks. In the absence of timely treatment, a foot disease can spread further over the entire surface of the skin. With rubromycosis, antifungal ointments and keratolytic drugs are prescribed.
Epidermophytosis
The most common form of the interdigital disease. Cracks, loosening, weeping erosion appear. Most often, this ailment affects athletes and workers in hot shops. With timely access to a doctor, the disease can be easily cured with conventional antifungal drugs.
Microsporia
Another disease of smooth skin and scalp that children often suffer from. The fact is that the carriers of this disease are animals. Rounded lesions with clear contours appear on the skin. Pustules and peeling are possible. When the disease spreads to the scalp, it is possible to break off hair 4-6 mm from the surface of the skin. If you find such foci of the disease, you should consult a doctor. As a rule, a dermatologist prescribes antifungal ointments, and with an advanced disease, drugs that include a hormonal component.
Skin, photos of all its components are presented in the article, suffers from many influences and diseases. We have listed only the most basic of them.