Skin & Endocrine System

Integumentary system

The integumentary system is the largest organ system in the human body, and is responsible for protecting the body from most physical and environmental factors. The largest organ in the body is the skin. The integument also includes appendages, primarily the sweat and sebaceous glands, hair, nails and arrectores pillorum (tiny muscles at the root of each hair that cause goose bumps).
The skin consists of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous layer. The epidermis, or outer layer, is made of several layers of epithelial cells that contain the hard, fibrous protein keratin that gives skin flexibility, creates a seal that prevents dehydration, and forms a protective barrier. This layer also contains melanocytes that produce the pigment melanin, which gives the skin its color. The dermis, or middle layer, consists of fibrous proteins that give the skin strength and elasticity. This layer contains the nerves, hair follicles, glands, and blood vessels. The subcutaneous layer consists mostly of fat, which connects the skin to the muscle beneath and provides insulation from trauma and heat loss.
Hair, Nails, and Glands are also part of the integumentary system. All of these structures are made of epithelial cells, which are specialized to meet the function of the structure.
Hair sparsely covers the body except on the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, lips, nipples, and parts of the external reproductive organs. The eyelashes and eyebrows protect the eyes from dust and perspiration, and the nasal hairs prevent dust from entering the pharynx and the lungs. The hair on the scalp keeps the head warm. All hairs grow from a root within a follicle. As the hair lengthens, the epithelial cells thicken and keratinize like the epidermis. Nails give limited protection to the nerve endings of the hands and feet. Each nail grows from a nail matrix, and as the cells push away from the matrix, they fill with keratin to form a flexible covering for the tip of each finger and toe.
Skin contains two types of glands: sebaceous and sudoriferous. Sebaceous (oil) glands and sudoriferous (sweat) glands are exocrine glands that excrete substances through ducts
The sebaceous glands secrete sebum, an oily substance that lubricates and helps waterproof the hair and skin and inhibits the growth of bacteria on the surface of the skin. During the aging process, the production of sebum is decreased, which generally accounts for dryer skin and brittle hair in elderly people.
The sudoriferous glands secrete sweat, an odorless, watery substance that aids in cooling the body. In the axillary and genital regions, these glands produce sweat that reacts to the bacteria in these areas, producing a distinctive odor. Modified sweat glands are the mammary glands and the ceruminous glands. The mammary glands are located in the breasts and secrete milk; the ceruminous glands are located in the ears and secrete cerumen, or ear wax. Cerumen provides lubrication and helps prevent microorganisms and insects from entering the ear.

Lymphatic System
The main function of the lymphatic system is to extract, transport and metabolise lymph, the fluid found in between cells. The lymphatic system is very similar to the circulatory system in terms of both its structure and its most basic function (to carry a body fluid).

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
The endocrine system is the system of glands, each of which secretes different types of hormones directly into the bloodstream (some of which are transported along nerve tracts to maintain homeostasis.
Features of endocrine glands are, in general, their ductless nature, their vascularity, and usually the presence of intracellular vacuoles or granules storing their hormones. In contrast, exocrine glands, such as salivary glands, sweat glands, and glands within the gastrointestinal tract, tend to be much less vascular and have ducts or a hollow lumen.The endocrine system is made of a series of glands that produce chemicals called hormones. A number of glands that signal each other in sequence.

Skin Problems & Treatments
Skin problems are common for people of all ages. Whether you suffer with a rash, itchy skin, skin fungus or infection, skin bumps, or skin tags, there’s good treatment available for a variety of skin diseases.

Skin Infections

A. Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a long-term (chronic) skin problem that causes skin cells to grow too quickly, resulting in thick, white, silvery, or red patches of skin.

The patches range in size from small to large. They most often appear on the knees, elbows, scalp, hands, feet, or lower back. Psoriasis is most common in adults. But children and teens can get it too.

Having psoriasis can be embarrassing.

A doctor can usually diagnose psoriasis by looking at the patches on your skin, scalp, or nails.

Most cases of psoriasis are mild, and treatment begins with skin care. This includes keeping your skin moist with creams and lotions. These are often used with other treatments including shampoos, ultraviolet light, and medicines your doctor prescribes.

In some cases, psoriasis can be hard to treat. You may need to try different combinations of treatments to find what works for you.

B. Eczema

Eczema is a term for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated. The most common type of eczema is known as atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema. Atopic refers to a group of diseases with an often inherited tendency to develop other allergic conditions, such as asthma and hay fever.

No matter which part of the skin is affected, eczema is almost always itchy. the rash most commonly appears on the face, back of the knees, wrists, hands, or feet. It may also affect other areas as well.Affected areas usually appear very dry, thickened, or scaly.

In infants, the itchy rash can produce an oozing, crusting condition that happens mainly on the face and scalp, but patches may appear anywhere.

How Is Eczema Treated ?

The goal of treatment for eczema is to relieve and prevent itching, which can lead to infection. Since the disease makes skin dry and itchy, lotions and creams are recommended to keep the skin moist.

The FDA has approved drugs known as topical immunomodulators (TIMs) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate eczema

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Cold Sores

Cold sores are also called fever blisters.

Cold sores are a painful infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Although cold sores generally are not serious, the infection may be life-threatening for anyone who has AIDS or whose immune system is depressed by other disorders or medications.

The infection from a cold sore may cause blindness if it spreads to the eye and meningitis or encephalitis if it spreads to the brain

Wash your hands after touching a cold sore.

Don't rub your eyes after touching your cold sore; you could develop an ocular herpes infection, which may lead to blindness if left untreated

Apply sunscreen to the face and lips before prolonged exposure to the sun.

Acne / Pimples

There's a reason it's called "common acne". Nearly everyone suffers from pimple outbreak at some point in life.

Women are more likely than men to have mild to moderate forms into their 30s and beyond.

Contrary to popular belief, acne isn't caused by a harmful diet, poor hygiene, or an uncontrolled sex drive. The simple truth is that heredity and hormones are behind most forms of acne.

Treatments for Acne