Welcome to Skin Disorders

Human skin is a remarkable organ, the body's largest, but it is often take for granted. Most people are content to let skin be unil dryness, oilness, a rash or a wrinkle rouses attention. But once they understand how skin functions, many reconsider the importance of the skin and the quality and content of the skin care products they use. Using natural skin care can make more of a difference than most folk realize.

The skin is more than a convenient layer separating you from the outside world. The skin is the human body’s largest organ, with a range of functions that support survival. A view through the microscope reveals the layered structure of the skin, and the many smaller elements within these layers that help the skin to perform its mainly protective role. Therefore, the skin is a vital part of the immune system because it is your body's first line of defense against diseases.

The skin protects the body from the environment and it is surprisingly resistant to a wide variety of attacks. Most skin disorders are not life threatening or contagious. However they can cause acute discomfort or make you upset about your appearance. The symptoms may disappear in a week, may require surgery, or result in a long term treatment program such as in the case of psoriasis.

Skin disorders or skin diseases cover a wide range of conditions, some benign, some very serious, and some even a sign of another underlying illness. A skin disorder not only affects your physical health, but also your emotional well-being. From acne to liver spots, how you look affects how you feel about yourself.

All forms of skin disorders can be diagnosed fairly easily based on visual observation. The skin rashes associated with contact dermatitis and psoriasis are very distinctive. A doctor may scrape off a small sample of skin for examination under the microscope. That examination can usually provide positive identification of the specific condition bothering the patient.

Finally, here are some words to know about skin diseases:

Allergic reaction:

A series of events initiated by the immune system against substances that are normally harmless to the body.

Chronic:

A condition that continues for a long period of time.

Immune system:

A network of organs, tissues, cells, and chemicals designed to fight off foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses.

Melanocyte:

A specialized skin cell that produces melanin, a dark pigment (color) found in skin.

Rash:

A spotted pink or red skin condition that may be accompanied by itching.

Steroids:

A category of naturally occurring chemicals that are very effective in reducing inflammation and swelling.

Ultraviolet (UV) light:

A naturally occurring part of ordinary sunlight that may, under some circumstances, have beneficial effects in curing certain medical disorders