Healthy skin its structure, functions and care

Beauty may be just skin deep, but the skin is more than just an ornamental covering for our body. It looks deceptively simple to the unaided eye. But a microscope reveals its complex structure.

For centuries man has discriminated against fellow human beings who have darker skin, which is only a few millimeters in thickness. If the skin is removed Europeans, Americans, Asians and Africans all look alike and they all look equally ugly.

The dark skin is just due to increased production of a substance called melanin in the skin which protects the body from ultraviolet radiation in those places which are close to the equator. With climatic changes white race can become black and vice versa.

The skin performs several important functions.

1) It acts as a barrier and prevents micro-organisms from causing infections. When there is injury to the skin infections are common.

2) It helps in maintaining the body temperature. In hot weather the blood vessels of the skin dilate allowing water to evaporate and reducing the body temperature. In cold weather the blood vessels constrict and prevent heat loss.

3) The skin gives a unique identity to every individual. Even identical twins have different fingers prints.

4) The skin plays an important role in the production of Vitamin D. Under the action of ultra violet rays 7-dehydro cholesterol in the skin is converted into vitamin D.

5) It produces a pigment called melanin which protects us from harmful effects of ultra violet rays.

6) Skin enables us to experience various sensations through its receptors.

Under a microscope the skin is found to have 2 layers- epidermis and dermis.

The epidermis is the outer layer. Its thickness varies over different regions. It is very thin over the face especially eyelids and is thickest over the soles of feet. Within the epidermis the cells are arranged in five strata.

Basal layer: This is the deepest layer. In this layer new cells are being continuously produced by cell division. The cells gradually move towards the outer layers. They are called keratinocytes. As the cells migrate from below they shrink in size, lose their nucleii and die.

Prickle cell layer: This is situated above the basal layer. It consists of several rows of tightly packed cells.

Granular layer: This is above the prickle cell layer. The cells in this layer contain granules containing a protein called keratohyaline.

Clear layer: In this layer the nucleus starts disintegrating. The cells are extremely flat and cell margins are not clearly visible.

Horny layer: This is the outermost layer of the skin. It is water proof. It is made up of dead cells which are just bundles of protein called keratin. Cells are continuously shed from this layer and are replaced by cells from the deeper layers.

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The dermis contains hair follicles and two types of glands-sweat glands and sebaceous glands. Sweat glands produce sweat which is very important for regulating body temperature. The human skin is estimated to have about 2 million sweat glands. An adult produces about 500 ml of sweat per day on an average.

They open directly on the surface of the skin. If a person cannot produce sweat his body temperature raises and he will not be able to tolerate even slight increase in atmospheric temperature.

The sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum which keeps the skin smooth and soft. These glands are attached to hair follicles. These glands are present all over the skin except in the skin over palms and soles.

The dermis also contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and nerve endings which carry various sensations like pain, cold, heat, pressure, vibration etc.

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Dry skin: Some people have dry skin without any other serious disease. Dry skin causes itching and scaling (visible peeling of the superficial layers of the skin as opposed to normal exfoliation).

This usually happens in cold weather with low humidity. Use of harsh soap is another predisposing factor. Prolonged use of air conditioning and overexposure to sunlight can also result in dry skin. Vitamin A deficiency also causes dry skin. Hence it is necessary to consume a balanced diet containing all the vitamins.

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Oily skin: This results from excessive production of sebum by the sebaceous glands. Oily skin looks unsightly and can cause low self esteem. Excess of sebum also predisposes to acne. Care should be exercised in dealing with the problem of oily skin. Removing too much of oil can also cause problem.

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The skin of a newborn baby is very delicate and develops rashes with the slightest irritation. Hence special precaution is required in caring for the skin of a newborn baby. Slight scaling is normal for a few days after birth.

Skin folds are particularly prone to get fungal infections. Hence the skin should be kept dry as much as possible. While drying rubbing of skin should be avoided. Gentle mopping is advocated using soft cotton clothes.

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