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CHAPTER

373

Skin Disorders

The least appreciated organ in your body is your skin. Yet your skin is your first

line of defense against infection. Injury to your skin can have far more resound-

ing repercussions than leave an unflattering blemish. It can be life threatening.

There are many disorders that can affect your skin including acne, dry skin, a

rash, injuries such as cuts, scrapes, puncture wounds, and burns. Some disorders

are annoying while others endanger your existence.

You’ll learn about common disorders in this chapter and about the medica-

tions used to help treat those disorders.

A Brief Look at the Skin

Skin is the largest organ of the body. It is composed of two major layers: the epi-

dermis, which is the outer layer; and the dermis, which is beneath the epidermis.

The skin protects the body from the environment, aids in controlling the body’s

temperature, and prevents the body’s fluid loss.

The epidermis has four layers: the basal layer (stratum germinativum), which

is the deepest layer covering the dermis, the spinous layer (stratus spinosum);

the outer layer; and the cornified layer (stratum corneum).

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