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BABY AND CHILDHOOD SKIN DISORDERS: ABOUT THE SKIN
The skin is regarded by doctors as another organ of the body, even though it is a bit different from the heart, kidneys or liver. In fact, it is one of the largest, for it covers the body all over. Imagine how big it would be if it were rolled up into onel
Just as other organs and systems of the body are either healthy or unhealthy, and have things going wrong with them, the same applies to the skin organ.
The good thing about the skin is that we can see what is going on. It's a bit hard to see what is happening inside your stomach or heart, and we have to rely on symptoms and certain tests. But the skin is right there, freely open to view. This can often make the doctor's diagnosis much easier. In fact, many parents become skilful in picking some of the common skin complaints and learning the best way of treating them. But some skin disorders are quite complex, and medical diagnosis (even when the skin is in full view) may be difficult.
The skin consists of a series of cell layers. The upper outer ones are constantly being shed. Those underneath are constantly being pushed upwards to replace them. Every few weeks, a new skin layer has developed. Any child with a leg in plaster for a couple of months will notice when the plaster is removed that there is a lot of fine powdery material present between the plaster and skin. This is old skin that has been shed but has been unable to escape.
It is fortunate the skin keeps growing in this manner. Imagine what it would be like if a child sustained a bad cut or laceration, and no new cells grew. The gash would be there for the rest of life.
Fortunately, our bodies are geared up, ready and (usually) able to replace and replenish, to keep themselves whole, in good repair and in one piece. So, new cells are constantly being manufactured to replace the old ones. Usually the new cells are replicas of the old ones, so that is why a scar remains a scar. The new cells merely duplicate the previous ones, retaining the same pattern on the outermost skin layers.
When discussing skin problems, doctors have a host of words they use to describe what is normal and what is abnormal. Certain words keep cropping up. Without doubt you will run across many of them in your general talk with others and you will encounter them a few times in the pages that follow. So here are definitions of the common skin terms. There is no need to remember them, and if you come across them and have forgotten, simply skip back to this section for a reminder.
Epidermis is the outer skin layer,-and the top layer of cells is called the stratum corneum. These cells are dead and are constantly being shed as new ones replace them.
Dermis is the layer underneath this, and contains blood vessels, nerves, sweat glands and sebaceous (fat-producing) glands.
Subcutaneous tissue lies underneath this, and here the larger blood vessels course. Here, too, are fat, muscle layers and nerves.
Macule is a flat, non-raised, circular, coloured area, such as a freckle or mole.
Papule is a pimple, raised, small, well-demarcated and often coloured, such as a wart, mole or acne pimple.
Plaque is a collection of papules, and this may be very extensive, as in psoriasis which may be scaley. It is usually raised a few millimetres.
Tumour is a lump, above or below the skin, or both above and below. It does not mean a cancer, although in lay terms this is often implied. A non-cancerous tumour is called benign; a cancerous tumour is called malignant.
Wheal is a raised skin area, often red or pink in colour. Hives, allergic skin reactions and insect bites are examples.
Vesicle is a blister, from small to large. A small one, such as a cold sore, is a typical type. Larger blister areas (such as following sunburn) are often called bullae.
Pustule is when the blister fills with pus following infection.
Scales occur when the skin flakes away. This is common following sunburn when the skin is often shed in a fine manner, or in dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis when yellow-white greasy flakes form and leave the skin surface.
Ulcer means a break in the skin surface. It often indicates an underlying infection.
Crust means a coating, usually when a surface weeps or discharges and the secretions subsequently dry, causing a hard coating. Often there is an infection continuing underneath, and it does not necessarily mean the area has healed.
Scars will eventually form after the skin has healed. Sometimes when an excessive amount of scarring occurs and it becomes very noticeable, it then is called a keloid. Certain individuals inherit a tendency to keloid. It is common after burns as well.
Pruritis means itch. This is a very common symptom of skin disorder. Certain forms of medication contain antipruritic, or anti-itch, properties.
Erythema means a reddening of the skin. It often becomes warm or hot, and frequently indicates infection.
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General Health
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