Curing the Skin

The skin is the largest, most important organ in the human body by weight and surface area. It makes up about sixteen percent of the human body weight. Dermatology is the science of the structure, functions, and diseases of the skin (“Structure and Function” n.p.). This medical field is explored by dermatologists. They are physicians who diagnose and treat diseases of the skin, hair, and nails. They analyze malignant disorders of the skin and related tissues of the mouth as well as external genitalia. (Hayes 155). The most common branch explored is the one dealing with only the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin, excluding hair follicles and nails. The skin acts as a wall between our internal body and the external world. Diseases and infections such as skin cancer and acne compromise this barrier (“Structure and Function” n.p.). In the world of dermatology, there are many facets dealing with the outer shell of the body from the skin, to hair and nails. The two largest and most common of skin diseases are skin cancer and acne. Both diseases can be cured with either a long endured treatment, or something as simple as a short visit to the local dermatologist.

The need for dermatologists is rising every day. More and more people are in the need of a physician who can diagnose their skin disease. With the thinning of the ozone layer, more and more of the population are starting to see side affects of skin cancer due to over exposure to the sun and its ultra violet rays. From this theory, most medical

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schools and specialty schools that interlink their medical fields with dermatology recommend that doctors begin a practice where they were schooled because diseases vary from location to location and surrounding schools teach and deal with only the diseases that are a problem in their area (“Career Information” n.p.). Most dermatologists also work in a private practice or a group with specialists. The education requirements are high. They consist of a bachelor’s degree, M.D., and four years of postgraduate training. Specialties, such as athletic dermatology, may require additional training as well. It takes about eight years of post-secondary school to become a physician and from there, extra years in a specialty school. Five more years of dermatology division schooling including three years of residency is also compulsory (“Career Information” n.p.). Certification is highly recommended although not required, but licensing is mandatory. All of this schooling is well worth it with a salary that ranges from $80,000 to $200,000 a year (Hayes 155).

The skin has many layers and purposes. The lowest layer, the dermis, is composed of connective tissue, blood vessels, nerve endings, hair follicles, and sweat and oil glands. The epidermis is the outer most layer of the skin. It can consist of many layers. The skin’s thickness varies with age, sex, and location of the skin on the body. For example, the human forearm can be up to five cell layers thick on the epidermis while the sole of a foot could be up to thirty layers thick. The epidermis is mostly waterproof. It enables the human to live on land, and retain the body’s water. The epidermis is not only used for retaining water, but it also helps the body regulate its temperature through sweat glands. Sweat glands are used to moisten the skin, excrete

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waste, and to cool the body’s temperature. When the water secreted by the glands surface on the top of the skin, it eventually evaporates cooling the body’s temperature. The glands also secrete waste. Waste products such as salt, urea, ammonia and uric acid are toxic to the body. They too are excreted to help build space for protein.

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Another purpose of the skin is to protect the body from impact wounds. The skin experiences lots of cuts, abrasions, burns, punctures, and blisters over a lifetime. Certain tissues on the epidermis have the ability to regenerate and heal the body’s wound. An additional purpose is that of the epidermis’ special pigment cells that protect the skin from the sun and ultra violet rays (“Structure and Function”n.p.).

Not all skin is the same. There are two basic types of skin. One is the blonde type, eumelanin. These people usually have a “red hue” (“Pigmentation” n.p.) to their hair, often light eyes, and freckles. The brown type or pheomelanin is usually darker and provides better protection against ultra violet rays. Both are genetically controlled (“Pigmentation” n.p.). Wrinkles and pigmentry changes of the exposed skin indicate substantial damage due to ultra violet radiation (“Archives of Dermatology” n.p.). “Differences in skin color are due mainly to differences in the number of melanin granules in the keratinocytes” (“Pigmentation” n.p.). Melanin and keratinocytes are two cell layer types that skin cancer can form inside of. Exposure of ultra violet rays can cause this formation, as well as other factors dealing with genetics. No matter what type of skin, ultra violet rays increase the risk of skin cancer. Sunburns can range from first degree to third degree burns. In a mild, first degree burn, the epidermis only sheds its outer five layers within a few days. A third degree burn, needless to say, would require

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many days of recuperation. There are six categories a skin type can fit into. The first are those who burn easily and do not tan when exposed to sunlight. They should apply twenty-five to thirty SPF (Sun Protection Factor) when outdoors and a usual fifteen SPF as a daily routine. Those who tan but also burn easily should consider a twenty-five to thirty SPF also applying a fifteen SPF daily. The third category are those who tan reasonably well, but burn occasionally. They should apply a fifteen SPF while outdoors and an eight to ten SPF daily. The fourth category, those who tan easily and always but occasionally burn slightly and not often, the fifth category, those who tan intensely but rarely burn, and the sixth category, those who never burn and have usually dark skin, should all apply at least a fifteen SPF when outdoors. (“Structure and Function” n.p.). Clothes do protect the skin from the sun, but when wet, stretched, or degraded due to laundering its textile protection is altered (“Archives of Dermatology” n.p.).

Ultra violet rays hitting the skin increase the risk of skin cancer.

Some of these problems [sun induced lesions] are caused by the cumulative amount of sun that an individual acquires…Other problems can occur from just individual episodes of excessive sun exposure or sunburns (Williams, Personal Interview).

Each year, about one million people discover that they have or have had skin cancer, which is the common type of cancer. Forty to fifty percent of people over the age of 65 have had skin cancer at one point in their lifetime (“Career Information” n.p.). Not all types of skin cancer are malignant. The tumors can grow fast and spread all over the

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body. Some common types of benign, non-cancerous, tumors are moles, large freckles, and warts. Some benign tumors and depigmentation regress over time (“Skin Cancer” n.p.). “Malignant disorders include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma” (“Skin Cancer” n.p.).

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common with hundreds of thousands of cases each year. This cancer does not usually spread and grows slowly. This cancer is mostly found in elderly people on sun-scorched spots of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma usually appears in sunburns or exposed areas. This cancer can proceed down into the dermis continuing to spread. The last of the three cancers is the malignant melanoma. Caucasians have a large risk for this cancer. One in every 75 are diagnosed with malignant melanoma. “Fortunately, skin cancers are relatively easy to detect and most can be cured” (Williams). With every sunburn, the chances of this cancer increases (“Skin Cancer” n.p.). It is also said that “people who have had minor skin cancer are at a greater risk of dying from more serious cancers later” (“Career Information” n.p.).

Although skin cancer is the most dangerous disease to the skin, there are other diseases that are just as uncomfortable. Acne, oil in the skin that cannot escape in a blocked pore, is yet another common disease of the skin. Almost everyone suffers from acne at one point in his or her life (“Kid’s Connection” n.p.). Acne bumps are called nodules or papules. These bumps can be found on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, back and upper arms. Sebum is the liquid that appears greasy around the hair follicle. When the sebum cannot escape, it produces a whitehead or blackhead. The difference between the two are that whiteheads close off the pore completely while a blackhead will close off

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a pore from the inside leaving the initial hair follicle open. When the hair follicle is blocked and the sebum cannot escape, bacteria builds up under the pore. The bacteria buildup will produce chemicals that will leak out into the dermis. Acne is common in humans, young and old. There is not a certain time that a person will start or stop suffering from acne although most people pass this time period in their life before the age of 19. It usually depreciates by the age of 25. Acne can also be driven genetically, usually in males. Acne occurs for a number of reasons besides being genetic. Certain drugs and cosmetics cause the production of sebum and block the pores. Any part of clothing that fits tightly to the body such as a chinstrap or bra strap, can cause a clogged or irritated pore or hair follicle. Acne can also be caused by emotional stress. When a person’s body is disrupted from its usual course of flow, it will malfunction as any other kind of machine. Although contrary to popular belief, eating too much chocolate does not cause an outbreak of any sort unless the genetic type is allergic to the food eaten (“Acne Drugs” n.p.).

Fortunately, for both of these quite common skin diseases, both skin cancer and acne, there are many treatments. “One benefit is that there are many cures for the skin

from creams, to pills, to surgery even lasers” (“Career Information” n.p.). Dermatologists often perform their surgeries themselves making it a lot easier to treat their patients with only a visit. (“Skin Cancer” n.p.). “It only takes about five to eight minuets to cut off a lesion and send it off for a biopsy. We do it quite often; about 10 to 20 times a day” (Williams). In basal cell carcinoma, the usual treatment is surgicaly

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removal. “Using an electric needle to cure the lesion, we close off the blood cells and nerve endings preventing the lesion from bleeding

after the top has been removed” (Williams). “Skin cancer is usually softer than the surrounding skin making it easy to scrap off using a single metal instrument after the lesion is removed” (Williams, Personal Interview). More advanced technology has made freezing these types of cells a lot easier. It is quick, fast, and heals nicely. In some rare, more serious cases, chemotherapy is provided so that the cell cancer cannot spread. In squamous cell carcinoma the core of the cancer can be inside the dermis. Most dermatologists will decide to remove the cancer cell through surgical procedures. Other small lesions or surrounding lymph nodes will be eliminated as well. Malignant melanoma can be both deep and shallow in relation to the dermis of the skin. The type of treatment is dependent on the depth of the cancer cell. Early detection is important so that a simple procedure does not turn into a surgical procedure making the recovery period longer (“Skin Cancer” n.p.). “All moles (nevi) should be inspected regularly for irregular borders and surfaces or a change in color” (“Skin Cancer” n.p.). Over the years, surgical measures have become more and more simple. A laser has been used for the past few years, gaining recognition and more support from using dermatologists. It has the ability to cut tissue and close off the blood vessels at the same time. The laser has various settings and wavelengths making it

very versatile to the surgical matter. Many more technological breakthroughs will appear in the years to come (“Dermatology-Surgery” n.p.).

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Treatment for acne is much more simple. There are hundreds of creams and pills that can cure this disease of the skin. (“Acne Drug” n.p.). Dermatologists will often individualize the treatment depending on the situation. (Williams) Benzoyl peroxide is most often prescribed by dermatologists. It has severe drying effects, which reduces some of the sebum being produced under a person’s pores (“Acne-Drug”). For mild acne try washing the face or affected area and avoid scrubbing. For mild acne, washing the face or affected area with a mild soap without scrubbing is recommended. Dermatologists also propose smoothing on benzoyl peroxide lotion as well. Most acne can be eliminated and even prevented by the wide variety of prescription drugs available. The most recent and effective prescription available in the present is a drug called Accutane. It eliminates the pores from producing the extra if any oil from creating a lesion (Williams). “ It is also advisable to avoid rubbing, picking or squeezing lesions on your face, since they tend to get more inflamed and take a little longer to heal if you do this” (Williams).

Skin diseases such as skin cancer and acne cause problems with the largest organ in the human body. When anything takes away from the normal function of a body part,

it creates problems. There are many ways to take care of skin cancer and acne and also to help prevent either from happening. The outer layers of the skin are always regenerating keeping the skin fresh and healthy helping all the treatments available cure the skin disease. With all of the oncoming problems the world is seeing, the rise in the need for

dermatologists is becoming greater. With the growing technology, treatments for this branch of dermatology will become painless and soon effortless.