Melanomas are difficult to treat, and potentially deadly tumors. The best way to avoid
skin cancer is to cover up when outside in the sun, and to wear sunscreen.Bathing and Skin Hygiene
During the day, your skin can collect many different things. Sweat, oil, dirt, dust, and dead
skin cells can build up on the skin surface. If not washed away, the mix of sweat, oil, dirt,
and dead skin cells can encourage the excess growth of bacteria. These bacteria feed on
these substances and cause a smell that is commonly calledbody odor. Dirty skin is also
more prone to infection. Bathing every day helps to remove dirt, sweat and extra skin cells,
and helps to keep your skin clean and healthy.
Acne
Hormones can affect your skin. Certain hormones cause oil glands in the skin to make an
oil calledsebum. When too much sebum is made by oil glands, it can cause the hair follicles
to get blocked with dead skin cells. Within these blocked pores bacteria and yeast begin
to multiply. In response to the growth of the bacteria and yeast, the skin inflames. This
skin inflammation produces the red bumps that are calledacne. Up to 85% of teenagers get
acne. Acne usually goes away by adulthood. Frequent washing can help reduce the amount
of sebum and dead skin cells on the skin. But washing cannot prevent the excessive sebum
production that leads to acne.
Injury
Your skin can heal itself even after a large cut. Cells that are damaged or cut away are
replaced by cells that grow in the bottom layer of the epidermis and the dermis. These new
cells will eventually replace the damaged tissues.
When an injury is deep enough through the epidermis into the dermis, bleeding occurs. A
blood clot and scab soon forms. After the scab is formed, cells in the base of the epidermis
begin to divide by and move to the edges of the scab. A few days after the injury, the edges
of the wound are pulled together. If the cut is large enough, the production of new skin
cells will not be able to heal the wound. Stitching the edges of the injured skin together can
help the skin to repair itself. The person inFigure16.11had a large cut that needed to
be stitched together. When the damaged cells and tissues are replaced, the stitches will be
removed.
Lesson Summary
- Skin acts as a barrier that keeps particles and water out of the body.