At just under two square meters, the skin is our largest organ. It has many tasks: Among other things, it protects us from heat and cold, is a sensory organ and demarcates our body from the environment. In addition, it shapes the appearance of each individual quite significantly – which is why skin diseases are so unpleasant for those affected.
Skin: structure and function
The skin is our largest sensory organ and consists of several layers (epidermis, dermis and subcutis). It protects us from pathogens, from the outside temperature, and it demarcates us from the environment. It can store water and nutrients, absorb medicines or even toxins and influence our body temperature, e.g. by sweating. Moles give the skin an individual appearance – whether freckles, beauty spots or liver spots. The appendages of the skin – hair and nails – are remnants of evolution and no longer have any real function. For this reason, they are all the more important for the overall aesthetic appearance of a person.
Skin: complaints
If the skin does not feel well, it can express this in a variety of ways. Too much or wrong care can lead to dry skin or in extreme cases to itchy, red skin ( eczema), also pimples or acne can develop. Excessive sweating is not only annoying, but indicates a dysfunction of the sweat glands. While wrinkles and pigment spots tend to be signs of aging, skin blisters can occur at any age – as a mundane skin blister when the shoe pinches, as a cold sore or herpes blister, or as painful shingles. Warts are particularly annoying and often stubbornly refuse any therapy. Let’s move on to the area of wounds and injuries: Flea bites and lice are usually visible to the naked eye, and a burn or scald is often so painful that immediate help is needed. Sunburn also falls into this category, as it is a skin injury that could well be avoided with adequate sun protection. Frostbite, on the other hand, is fortunately much rarer. Unpleasant are also nail and foot fungus, because it usually takes time to get rid of these complaints. Hair is a particular issue: whether too much as in hirsutism, too little as in hair loss, or hair dandruff – hair often gives cause for complaint and seems to grow faster and faster with age.
Examination method
Anamnesis (inquire about medical history): all complaints can be further narrowed down by asking specific questions. For example, in the case of a suspicious-looking mole, the history of itching, bleeding, or change in the surface will give clues as to whether it is benign or malignant. Inspection and palpation: Skin changes can be seen better with a magnifying glass or a special microscope (reflected light microscope) than with the naked eye. Smear, biopsy and hair analysis: If a skin infection is suspected, a smear is taken from the skin area, and if the growth is unclear, a tissue sample is taken. In alternative medicine, hair analysis plays a greater role than in conventional medicine. Allergy testing and skin function tests: Skin rash can be a reaction to an allergenic substance – detergents or cosmetics in particular are common triggers for itchy, dry skin. There are various skin function tests that check for abnormal sweating, for example, or an exaggerated tendency to react, as occurs in hives. X-ray, ultrasound, computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): These examinations are only used if it is suspected that internal organs are also affected. Thus, in a neurodermatitis patient, one will also check lung function and look for a possible asthma component.
Diseases of the skin
Allergies can occur at any age – so one can also be allergic to the sun as well as plants, or after a tattoo to the tattoo ingredients. Psoriasis affects more than 2 million people in Germany. This chronic disease is extremely debilitating for the person affected. The disease porphyria is rare, but without consistent therapy and avoidance of direct sunlight it can lead to massive skin changes – it is believed that Count Dracula was ill with porphyria! Many diseases are accompanied by more or less pronounced scarring, which in turn then requires treatment.
Diseases of the skin in children
Diaper dermatitis is often the first skin rash that a new citizen of the earth gets, along with cradle cap – although unfortunately cradle cap is often the first sign of neurodermatitis. Measles, rubella, scarlet fever are typical childhood diseases with a house rash, but adults can also be affected. In addition to these well-known childhood diseases, there are also rarer diseases such as Kawasaki syndrome, in which scarlet-like skin changes occur.
Diseases of the skin in adults
The important, because the most dangerous skin disease represents skin cancer with all its forms. An only moderately known precursor is actinic keratosis, which is understood as a scaly reddened skin change that usually develops in areas of the body exposed to light. Less common are the chronic conditions rosacea and white spot disease (vitiligo). However, both are psychologically very stressful for those affected – in rosacea the face is red and swollen, while in vitiligo normally pigmented and “white” areas of skin alternate. The skin changes with age: it becomes thinner and more sensitive, its care more demanding. Eczema, open sores or even pressure sores (decubital ulcers) occur much more frequently.Chronic, often disfiguring skin diseases mean that much changes in the life of the person affected. Since 2002, there has been a special point of contact for people with skin diseases: the team of Patient Counseling for Diseases of the Skin (PBEH). Skin diseases may have such a strong influence on the condition of the affected person that they become triggers for psychological problems. Of course, there is a special procedure for each disease with medication or surgery – you can find this in the respective disease. For example, in psoriasis, swimming and bathing bring relief, if the scalp is affected, there is a special comb that directs UV light to the psoriasis foci, and novel substances such as fumarins represent an alternative to the old-established therapy methods.
Preventive measures
When choosing your skin care products, you’ve probably wondered what “dermatologically tested” means? Proper skin care – even after a vacation – and healthy nutrition help the skin to perform its functions. You can find special tips for athletes, against environmental stress, peelings, etc. under Fitness and Wellness. In addition, you should not forget: Touch is vital for the skin as a sensory organ, and as an acupressure treatment, touch even helps against wrinkles! Many chronic skin diseases such as neurodermatitis occur in episodes. Those affected therefore often know exactly how they must behave so that the disease does not break out or worsen. Since life-threatening skin diseases such as cancer often take years to develop, preventive measures such as adequate sun protection are particularly important. In addition to determining the skin type, it is also important to remember that children have very sensitive skin and that childhood sunburns already contribute strongly to the development of skin cancer. Sun protection also includes the correct use of self-tanning products and solariums – because tanned skin from a tube does not increase the skin’s natural light protection and arguments for visiting a solarium should be thoroughly reconsidered. The influence of the ozone layer thickness should be included when choosing the sun protection factor.
