Skin (Human Anatomy): Image, Definition, Function, and Skin Diseases

The skin is the largest organ in the body, covering approximately 20 square feet. The skin defends us against microbes and the elements. Because it takes up the majority of the body's surface area, the skin is considered to be the biggest organ in the human body. It encompasses an area that is about 20 square feet in total surface area.

It guards us against potentially dangerous germs as well as other substances that might lead to a variety of ailments inside our bodies. It plays a role in the regulation of the body's temperature and is responsible for the feelings of touch, heat, and cold.

The skin's most crucial job is to shield us from potentially cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which, if our bodies are made to be subjected to it, may increase the risk of developing skin cancer ( in absence of skin).

This is due to the pigments that are found in it, which are responsible for the aforementioned protective phenomena. Everyone's skin is made up of 3 basic parts. These are Epidermis, dermis, hypodermis

• Epidermis: Melanin is one of the several pigments found in the epidermis, which acts as the skin's outermost layer of defence and a waterproof shield. Melanocyte cells, which are significant because they contribute to the variety of skin tones and hues and provide resistance to Uv radiation, make up melanin.
• Dermis: The dermis is the layer that is found below the epidermis. In addition to being composed of hair follicles and sweat glands, it is composed of dense connective tissue.
• Hypodermis: After this layer comes the dermis, which is succeeded by deeper subcutaneous tissue that is composed of fatty tissue and connective tissue.

• Rash: A rash is an alteration in the appearance of the skin that may be caused by infections or inflammation of the skin, as well as by a variety of other factors. In most circumstances, they develop as a consequence of a harmless skin irritation, but in certain instances, they are brought on by more serious medical disorders.
• Dermatitis: Dermatitis is an umbrella word that refers to inflammation of the dermis, which occurs on the surface of the skin. The most typical presentation is atopic dermatitis, which is a kind of eczema.
• Eczema: It is a form of the skin inflammation known as dermatitis that causes a rash but also leaves the patient feeling itchy and irritated. The majority of the time, this is because of an overactive immune system.
• Psoriasis: This skin condition is brought on by an autoimmune illness, which causes it. It may result in a number of different rashes on the skin, the majority of which take the form of silvery, scaly plaques on the surface of the affected area.
• Dandruff: In addition to seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema, dandruff, which is a scaling lesion of the scalp, can be brought on by a number of other skin problems.
• Acne: Acne is now the form of skin issue that is experienced by the vast majority of individuals and is considered to be the most frequent. At some point in their lives, around 85 percent of individuals will be impacted by it.
• Rosacea: Cellulitis is an inflammation that affects the dermis as well as the subcutaneous tissues. This inflammation is brought on by an infection that affects both the dermis and the subcutaneous tissues. In most cases, characteristics such as a painful rash that is red, warm, or both will be present.
• Skin abscesses (boils or furuncles): Localised skin infections may take the form of skin abscesses (also known as boils or furuncles). This infection causes a collection of pus to form beneath the dermis, and in order to be healed, some abscesses need to be punctured by a doctor and drained of their contents.
• Rosacea: Rosacea is a persistent skin disorder that manifests itself as a rash of flushed redness on the face. Rosacea may have the same appearance as acne, which makes it difficult to identify and may lead to misunderstanding with other skin rashes.
• Rash5: These are caused by a viral infection that causes an infection in the skin. As a consequence of the infection, the skin grows in an abnormal manner, which results in the formation of a wart. Although warts may be controlled at home with chemicals, duct tape, or freezing, they really need to be removed by a medical professional.
• Melanoma: It seems to be the most lethal kind of skin cancer, and it develops when the skin is damaged by ultraviolet radiation from the sun. A skin biopsy is the appropriate diagnostic procedure to use in these circumstances in order to detect the infection.
• Basal cell carcinoma: The basal cell carcinoma is the type of skin cancer that occurs most frequently and can be rather dangerous. The slower rate at which basal cell carcinoma both develops and spreads makes it a less hazardous form of cancer than melanoma.
• Seborrheic keratosis: It is a benign overgrowth that often causes itching and has the appearance of a 'stuck-on' wart. A derma specialist is the only person qualified to cure seborrheic keratoses.
• Actinic keratosis: An actinic keratosis is a bump that can be crusty or scaly, and it forms on skin that has been subjected to the sun for a significant amount of time. In very unusual instances, it might sometimes develop into cancer.
• Scabies: Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common forms of cancer that can develop on the skin. The initial signs of squamous cell carcinoma are either an aberrant growth or a tiny ulcer that does not heal on its own. In most cases, the condition manifests itself in sunny locations.
• Herpes: The herpes viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2 may cause intermittent blistering or skin irritation around the lips or in the vaginal area. Herpes can also be transmitted from one person to another. The majority of the time, these blisters may be seen on the lateral side of the mouth, immediately below the lower lip.
• Rash9: The skin condition known as hives is brought on by an allergic response. Suddenly symptoms appear on the skin, such as raised, red, and itchy patches on the surface of the skin.
• Tinea versicolor: It is the name given to a skin condition that is caused by a benign fungal infection that manifests itself as pale patches or poor pigmentation on the skin.
• Exanthem viral: Many different types of viral infections may lead to a rash that is red and affects vast portions of the skin. Children are a population in whom this phenomenon is particularly prevalent.
• Rash5: It is also known as herpes zoster, and is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles is an itchy rash that appears only on one side of the body. Despite the fact that a new vaccination for adults, if administered on time, may prevent shingles in almost everyone,
• Scabies: It is an infection that is caused by very small mites that live deep inside the skin. It is possible to have symptoms such as a rash that is very itchy and appears on the palms of the hands, wrists, elbows, and buttocks.
• Rash9: This is an infection that is caused by fungi and is referred to by that name. Tinea is another name for this condition. Worms are not the cause of the distinctive rings that are formed by this organism.

• IGM screening: An immunoglobulin (im-yeh-no-GLOB-yeh-len) test is used to determine the levels of various types of antibodies that are present in the blood. Antibodies are produced by the immune system in order to defend the body against foreign substances such as allergens, bacteria, and viruses.
• Blood culture: Blood cultures are diagnostic methods that can detect an infection in the blood and determine what caused the infection. Infections of the bloodstream are typically brought on by bacteria (also known as bacteremia), but they can also be brought on by yeasts or other fungi (also known as fungemia), or even by a virus (viremia).
• Urine culture: In order to diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) and determine whether bacteria or yeast is to blame for the infection, a culture of the patient's urine is performed and compared to the results of a urinalysis. In the event that a positive urine culture is obtained, a susceptibility test may be performed in order to identify the antibiotics that will successfully combat the growth of the microorganism that is causing the infection.
• 5 DhT levels: Health issues may arise as a result of DHT levels that are abnormal, whether they are lower than normal or greater than usual. This test is an excellent instrument for determining how much dihydrotestosterone is present in the body. It helps determine the source of baldness in both men and women, as well as the reason why women are skipping their periods and acquiring male traits such as increased hair growth and acne in women.
• Estrogen levels: The hormone oestrogen is commonly referred to as the 'feminine' hormone. The hormone that is commonly referred to as the 'male' hormone is testosterone. In spite of the fact that each hormone is linked with a separate sex, it is possible for both men and women to possess both of them.
• Thyroid profile: When your TSH level is high, it almost always indicates that you have hypothyroidism, often known as an underactive thyroid. This indicates that your thyroid is not producing a enough amount of hormone. As a direct consequence of this, the pituitary gland will never stop producing and secreting TSH into the blood.
• Lipid profile: Before individuals experience issues like heart disease or a heart attack, the lipid panel can be used to determine whether or not they have a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
• Sputum culture: When trying to diagnose illnesses in the respiratory tract, it is common practise to do a sputum culture test. These frequent infections can be brought on by a wide variety of germs, and a sputum culture test is the best way to detect whether or not an infection is caused by bacteria or fungi.
• Blood culture5: In a lumbar puncture (LP), usually referred to as a spinal tap, cerebrospinal fluid is extracted from the subarachnoid space. This is a typical type of invasive operation that is conducted. Indications that should not be treated with LP include an elevated intracranial pressure, bleeding disorders, and a local skin infection.
• Blood culture7: The removal of a sample of cells, tissue, fluids, or growths for the purposes of evaluation is known as a biopsy. There is no restriction on whatever portion of your body provides the sample.Stool culture and microscopy: Make a diagnosis of typhoid fever, enteric fever, bacillary dysentery, or Salmonella infection based on the presence of bacterial pathogens in the stool and determine whether or not the patient has bacillary dysentery.
• Toxo serology: Either serologic testing or molecular testing may be utilised in the process of diagnosis. During a serologic test, antibodies in the blood that were formed in response to an infection are located and identified. Based on the kind of antibodies that are found in the blood (IgG or IgM), it is possible to establish whether the infection was recently experienced or occurred in the past.
• Blood culture9: The polymerase chain reaction, sometimes known as PCR, is a widely used laboratory test that can diagnose a wide range of conditions that affect the central nervous system (CNS).

• Antifungal for skin infections: These are applied to the affected areas of the skin, scalp, and nails in order to cure fungal infections. Tinea corporis, Skin infections caused by Candida and diaper dermatitis are both treatable with topical antifungal creams that include steroid and antifungal agents. These include clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, and miconazole, among others.Antibacterial for skin infections: There are a number of topical antibiotic treatments that can be utilised, including bacitracin, triple antibiotic ointment, and polymixin B, neomycin, and bacitracin.
• Steroids for skin infections: The management of several inflammatory skin illnesses, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, has been significantly improved because to the use of topical corticosteroids.
• Antivirals for skin infections: Antiviral drugs support the body's natural defences against virus infection. The medications can lessen the severity of symptoms and cut the duration of a viral illness. aciclovir, valaciclovir, famciclovir, penciclovir, cidofovir, foscarnet and the immune response modulator,
• Antiprotozoal for skin infections: Infections caused by protozoa, a group of single-celled organisms that are parasites, are treated with antiprotozoal medicines. Among the many illustrations available, we can highlight Nitazoxanide Albendazole Artemether-Lumefantrine Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine
• Chemotherapeutic medicines for skin cancer: Cisplatin, doxorubicin, mitomycin, and 5-fluorouracil are some examples of medications that could be prescribed for this reason . The vismodegib capsule is a prescription medication for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma in adults.
• Steroids for skin cancer: Glucocorticoids are used to treat inflammation caused by immune-related malignancies such as basal cell carcinoma. In addition, glucocorticoids have the ability to dampen the immune system. Dexamethasone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and hydrocortisone are a few examples of different corticosteroids.
• IV steroids for skin infections: Prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, and hydrocortisone are all examples of systemic steroids that are frequently used in the treatment of skin infections.
• NS AIDS for skin infections: The most effective treatment for mild to moderate pain is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include ibuprofen, naproxen, and a number of additional medications.Liposomal medicines for skin infections: An injection of amphotericin B liposomal is used to treat fungal infections in certain patients. These infections include cryptococcal meningitis, which is an infection of the lining of the spinal cord and brain that is caused by fungus, and visceral leishmaniasis, which is a parasitic disease that typically affects the spleen, liver, and bone marrow.).
• 5 alpha inhibitors for skin infections: The conditions benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenic alopecia are both treated with finasteride and dutasteride, which are both types of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.

• Surgical excision of erythema: In cases where medicinal treatment is ineffective in alleviating symptoms, surgical excision of the lesions may be undertaken in order to give symptomatic relief. Excision through surgical means is one potential method of treatment for these cutaneous lesions.
• Surgical debridement of skin: Within the realm of wound management, the idea of prepping the wound bed in order to encourage reepithelialization of chronic wounds has been incorporated. Debridement refers to the process of removing necrotic (dead) or infected skin tissue from a wound in order to facilitate the healing process.
• Incision and drainage of abscesses and pus: Because antibiotic therapy by itself is not sufficient to treat an abscess, the majority of individuals who have an abscess should have drainage and incision performed on them.
• Empirical antibiotic therapy for skin infections: In most cases, the treatment consists of a broad-spectrum -lactam (such as piperacillin/tazobactam, cefepime, or meropenem), in addition to an antibiotic that is effective against MRSA.
• Skin grafting: A piece of skin is removed from one place of the body and transferred to another through a surgical operation known as a skin graft. The most prevalent application of the closure technique known as skin grafting in dermatology is for the purpose of closing wounds that were produced as a result of the removal of skin cancer.
• Chemotherapy: chemotherapy is effective in treating basal cell skin cancer, and basal cell skin cancer frequently responds to targeted drugs such as vismodegib, fluorouracil, aldara, and imiquimod.
• External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): A type of radiation therapy referred to as external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) involves directing a beam of radiation towards cancerous tissues that are located inside the body. Radiation therapy is a form of cancer treatment that involves subjecting patients to various doses of radiation in order to eliminate cancer cells and shrink the size of tumours.