The Integumentary System and Health

Your skin needs constant care. Skin glands produce secretions that collect on the surface of the skin. Secretions of the sweat glands contain waste materials that must be rinsed from the skin's surface. Sebum, an oily secretion from the oil glands, may block the ducts and pores and cause pimples or blackheads.

Your diet is important to the health of your skin. Vitamin A is necessary for healthy eyes, skin, and hair. Good sources of vitamin A are dairy products, and leafy green and deep orange vegetables.

There are several skin conditions that may affect you. Being aware of these different conditions and how to handle them can help you be better prepared to keep your skin healthy.

Sunburn is a condition that a result when the skin has been overexposed to the sun. Symptoms of sunburn include redness, pain, and inflammation. Sunburn occurs more often in lightskinned persons because of the small amount of melanin present. Being overexposed to the sun does not allow the skin ample time to produce the amount of melanin neede to protect itself. Overexposure to ultraviolet light is the major cause of skin cancer. Sunburn and skin cancer may also result from improper use of sunlamps. The best prevention is to avoid ultraviolet light. If you are exposed to ultraviolet light, use a sunscreen. A sunscreen is a chemical that is applie to the skin in the form of a lotion to protect the skin against ultraviolet light. There are many kinds of sunscreens available. The effectiveness of these sunscreens is determined by the amount of PABA in them. PABA is a subctance that protects the skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays. The higher the PABA number, the more effective the sunscreen. If you become seriously sunburned, seek medical attention.

Acne is a skin infection that occurs when sebum blocks ducts and pores. This may produce blackheads, pimples, or lumps like boils. Most often, acne appears on the face, where it is also most visible. A person should not squeeze blackheads and pimples. The infection might be forced deeper and cause permanent damage to the skin. Acne can be treated by specific medications.

People with severe acne may be treated by a dermatologist. A dermatologist is a physician who specializes in diseases and disorders of the skin. Some medications have proven effective in treating acne by drying up the sebum and preventing its formation. Astringents can be used to help prevent acne. An astringent is a substance that contains alcohol and can dry the skin. Drying the skin helps prevent the buildup of sebum.

A boil is a skin infection that invades the layers of the skin. A boil often begins in a hair root. As it develops, skin tissue is destroyed. Swelling, redness, and pus may be seen on the skin's surface. A boil may require medical treatment. A doctor can drain the pus from the boil or prescribe medication.

Dandruff is a dead cells on the scalp. Dandruff occurs when the scalp is too oily. The oil causes the dead cells to clump into flakes. In most causes, dandruff can be treated with regular shampooing. Sometimes special shampoos are needed to effectively treat dandruff.

Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by red skin and raised white scales. Psoriasis is commonly found on the scalp, elbows, and knees. It appears and disappears in cycles. Both the cause and cure of psoriasis are not known. Medications are available to treat this condition.

Athlete's foot is a common skin infection. Athlete's foot is an itching, redness, and cracking of the skin between the toes that is caused by a fungus. A fungus is a plantlike organism that grows best in dark, warm, and moist areas. If left untreated, athlete's foot can spread. However, athlete's foot can be prevented and controlled by wearing slippers in locker rooms, pools, and public showers. It can be treated by keeping the feet dry and using a special powder. Athlete's foot may have to be treated by a physician.

Hives are small, itchy lumps on the skin. They can be caused by an allergic reaction to a food, medicine, or pollen. They are frequently a result of stress. It is best that a person know the cause of hives so that the agent causing them can be avoided.

Warts are raised skin growths caused by a virus. Warts can grow anywhere on the body and can be spread from person to person. A plantar wart is a wart that grows on the bottom of a person's foot. Warts can be treated with medication or removed by a physician.