The Integumentary System

Made up of…

• Skin
• Hair
• Nails
• Sweat Glands

Functions of the Skin

• Provide a protective covering for your body.
• Regulates body temperature
• Enables you to sense the world around you.

Structure of the Skin

• Your skin has 2 main layers:
• Epidermis and Dermis

Epidermis

• The outer, thinner layer of skin
• Made up of both living and dead cells
• The outermost part of the epidermis is composed of dead cells that form a tough, protective coating.
• Contains a fatty substance called lipids that makes skin waterproof. (example: shower)

Epidermis (Con’t)

• The dead cells of the epidermis are shed when clothing rubs your skin or when you wash.
• Your outer skin is replaced about once a month.
• Some of the cells in the epidermis produce Melanin.

Epidermis (Con’t)

• Melanin- the pigment that gives skin, hair, and the iris of the eyes their coloring.
• Skin color in humans is determined by the amount of melanin in the skin.
• The more melanin the greater the protection from the sun- which is linked to skin cancer

Melanoma

• A skin cancer that can spread and can be fatal if not treated promptly.
• Melanomas develop from moles, birthmarks, and pigmented areas. Sun exposure accounts for 70% of skin cancer occurrences.
• It is the most common cancer in young adults.
• Melanomas can usually be cured by removal if detected early.

Dermis

• The inner, thicker layer of the skin
• Made up of connective tissue that gives the skin its elasticity, or spongy flexibly quality.
• Nerve endings and hair follicles extend into the dermis.
• Sweat glands and sebaceous glands are found in the dermis as well.

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Sweat Glands…

• Structures within the skin that secrete perspiration through ducts to pores on the skins surface.
• When the body gets hot, sweat glands become more active and produce perspiration onto your skin to cool the body down.

Sebaceous Glands

• Structures within the skin that produce an oily secretion called sebum.
• When these glands enlarge the produce excess sebum.
• During adolescence, the increase in hormone production causes these glands to enlarge and makes the skin oily.
• The oil becomes trapped in a pore and plugs it, allowing bacteria to multiply and causes the area to become inflamed (Acne, pimples, zits, etc.)

Problems with skin…

• Ringworm
• Athlete’s foot
• Boils
• Warts
• Moles
• Psoriasis
• Vitiligo

• Impetigo
• Blisters
• Callus
• Corn

Ringworm

• A common fungal infection that affects various parts of the body.
• Gets its name from the ring-shaped, scaly, reddened, or blistery patches it forms.

Athlete’s Foot

• The same fungus that causes ringworm also causes athlete’s foot.
• A fungal infection of the skin between the toes.
• It is highly contagious
• It is important to wear foot coverings when in locker rooms and showers.
• Be careful who you share shoes with…

Boils

• An inflamed, pus-filled area of the skin, usually an infected hair follicle.
• Keeping skin clean helps prevent boils.
• Never squeeze or burst a boil; this can spread the infection
• Boils can be serious and if large should be treated by a health care professional

Warts

• Contagious growths on the outer layer of the skin caused by viruses.
• Most warts are painless and harmless
• The virus that causes them can spread to other parts of the body and form more warts.

Moles

• Small, usually round, slightly thickened brown spots on skin.
• Moles are usually harmless
• If a mole suddenly appears, grows, bleeds, or changes color, contact a doctor immediately.
• Changes in a mole may indicate a serious problem and should be check by a doctor.

Psoriasis

• A skin disease in which thickened patches of inflamed, red skin form, often covered by white, flaking scales.
• Should be treated by a doctor
• The cause is unknown
• This can be a lifetime skin problem if not treated.

Vitiligo

• A disorder in which patches of skin lose their color.
• The affected areas of skin are extremely sensitive to sunlight and should be protected.
• There is no cure.
• In about 30% of cases the skin color returns naturally.

Impetigo

• A Streptococcal infection in which bacteria enters a small break in the skin.
• This infection is HIGHLY contagious.

Blisters

• Raised areas filled with watery fluid.
• They usually result from the skin being rubbed or burned.
• A blister should be protected to keep it from breaking and left to heal on its own.
• A broken blister can become infected.

Callus

• An area of thickened skin that forms as a result of regular or continued friction or pressure.
• Callus can be reduced by rubbing them with a porous stone called pumice.

Corn

• A callus on the toe
• It is caused by pressure of a tight-fitting shoe.