Integumentary System

Integumentary System

The integumentary system is the organ system that protects the body from damage, comprising the skin and its appendages (including hair, scales, feathers, hoofs, and nails). The integumentary system has a variety of functions; it may serve to waterproof, cushion, and protect the deeper tissues, excrete wastes, and regulate temperature, and is the attachment site forsensory receptors to detect pain, sensation, pressure, and temperature. In most terrestrial vertebrates with significant exposure to sunlight, the integumentary system also provides for vitamin D synthesis.

The human skin (integumentary) is composed of a minimum of 3 major layers of tissue: the epidermis; dermis; and hypodermis. The epidermis forms the outermost layer, providing the initial barrier to the external environment. Beneath this, the dermis comprises two sections, the papillary and reticular layers, and contains connective tissues, vessels, glands, follicles, hair roots, sensory nerve endings, and muscular tissue. The deepest layer is the hypodermis, which is primarily made up of adipose tissue.

Skin disease

 is a very broad term that describes numerous conditions. Some skin diseases are serious and deadly, while others are just annoying. Some skin diseases are disfiguring, while others are barely visible.

Burns

A burn is damage to your body's tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight or radiation. Scalds from hot liquids and steam, building fires and flammable liquids and gases are the most common causes of burns.

There are three types of burns:

• First-degree burns damage only the outer layer of skin
• Second-degree burns damage the outer layer and the layer underneath
• Third-degree burns damage or destroy the deepest layer of skin and tissues underneath

Burns can cause swelling, blistering, scarring and, in serious cases, shock and even death. They also can lead to infections because they damage your skin's protective barrier. Antibiotic creams can prevent or treat infections. After a third-degree burn, you need skin or synthetic grafts to cover exposed tissue and encourage new skin to grow. First- and second-degree burns usually heal without grafts.

Skin ulcer

Skin ulcers are open sores that are often accompanied by the sloughing-off of inflamed tissue.

Skin ulcers can be caused by a variety of events, such as trauma, exposure to heat or cold, problems with blood circulation, or irritation from exposure to corrosive material. Pressure ulcers, also known as decubitus ulcers or bedsores, are skin ulcers that develop on areas of the body where the blood supply has been reduced because of prolonged pressure; these may occur in people confined to bed or a chair, or in those who must wear a hard brace or plaster cast. Skin ulcers may become infected, with serious health consequences. Other health conditions that can cause skin ulcers include mouth ulcers (canker sores), chronic venous insufficiency, diabetes,infection, and peripheral vascular disease.

Skin Allergy Overview

Skin irritations are caused by a variety of factors. These include heat, immune system disorders, medications and infections. When an allergen is responsible for triggering an immune system response, the irritation is an allergic skin condition.

Dermatitis (Eczema)
Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when your skin comes in direct contact with an allergen. For instance, if you have a nickel allergy and your skin comes in contact with jewelry made with even a very small amount of nickel, you may develop red, bumpy, scaly, itchy or swollen skin at the point of contact. 

Urticaria (Hives)
Hives are an inflammation of the skin triggered when the immune system releases histamine, causing small blood vessels to leak leading to swelling in the skin. Swelling in deep layers of the skin is called angioedema.

Angioedema
Angioedema is swelling in the deep layers of the skin, often seen with urticaria (hives). Angioedema most often occurs in soft tissues such as the eyelids, mouth or genitals.Angioedema is called "acute" if the condition lasts only a short time (minutes to days). This is commonly caused by an allergic reaction to medications or foods.

Viral Infections

Viral infections can cause a variety of rashes. Find out more about the skin conditions caused by viruses.

Roseola

Roseola is a common viral infection that occurs in infants and children. The symptoms of roseola are distinct and striking, but are relatively benign. Learn more about this common infection.

Rubella

Rubella, or German measles, is a viral infection that most often occurs in the late winter and spring, but since a vaccine was developed in 1969, rubella infections have decreased dramatically. If a pregnant woman contracts a rubella infection, there is a chance it could cause birth defects in her baby. Find out more about what rubella looks like and how it's treated.

Chicken Pox Pictures

Chicken pox is a common infection caused by the varicella virus. This gallery shows pictures of chicken pox lesions in various stages and on different types of skin.

Shingles Pictures

Shingles is a painful rash that has some distinct characteristics. This photo gallery shows various shingles rashes on different people.

Measles Pictures

Measles, or rubeola, is a very contagious viral infection that starts out with symptoms similar to influenza. The measles rash can look like other viral rashes, but someone with measles gets Koplik spots which differentiates this rash from any other. Take a look at pictures of measles rashes and Koplik spots.

Measles

Measles is a very contagious viral infection that starts out with symptoms similar to influenza. In the United States the incidence has decreased by 99% since a vaccine was developed, but outbreaks do still occur. Learn more about what the rash looks like and how it's treated.

Shingles Vaccine on Backorder

Merck announced the shingles vaccine, Zostavax, is on backorder for 4-6 months. Find out more about what this means for you.

All About Shingles

Shingles is a painful rash caused by reactivation of the chicken pox virus - varicella zoster. Learn more about how shingles is contracted and what the rash looks like.

Shingles Complications

Shingles is a painful rash that is caused by a reactivation of the chickenpox virus. Learn more about the potentially severe complications people can experience because of this disease.

Shingles Vaccine - Zostavax

The Zostavax vaccine can reduce your chanced of developing shingles. Learn more about the shingles vaccine, and who should and shouldn't receive it.

Shingles Treatment

Shingles is a painful rash caused by reactivation of the chicken pox virus - varicella zoster. Learn more about the treatment options for shingles and its complications.

Severe Pain after Shingles Rash

Postherpetic neuralgia is a condition that causes severe, prolonged long pain after a shingles-related rash has subsided. Learn more about this sometimes debilitating condition and how it is treated and prevented.

Pityriasis Rosea

Pityriasis rosea is a common, self-limited rash that can be very itchy. Find out more about the appearance and treatment of pityriasis rosea.

Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection that can be confused with warts. Find out more about this self-limited rash that generally affects children.

Fifth Disease

Fifth disease or slapped cheeks disease is a common childhood viral infection that causes red cheeks and a pink lacelike rash on a child's arms.

Viral Hemorrhagic Fever

Viral hemorrhagic fever refers to a group of illnesses caused by a distinct family of viruses. Examples of well-known VHF’s are Ebola Virus, Marburg Virus, Hanta Virus, and Dengue Fever. Find out more about this deadly group of diseases.

Roseola

Roseola is a common viral infection of early childhood and commonly causes a high fever which is followed by a rash once the fever breaks.

Hand Foot and Mouth Disease

This infection is highly contagious with lesions found primarily on the palms, soles, and in the mouth.

Pityriaisis Rosea

Pityriasis Rosea, or PR, is a very itchy rash that is caused by a virus. Find out more about this condition from Dermatology Channel.

Roseola Infantum

Find out more about this very common viral infection that occurs in children.

Roseola

More information from your Guide to Parenting Babies & Toddlers about roseola

Coxsackie Virus Infections

Coxsackie viruses cause many different types of infections. This article from the American Academy of Pediatrics explains the symptoms of these infections.

Molluscum Contagiousum

This condition commonly seen in children is similar to warts. Find out more in this article from the American Academy of Dermatologists.

Bacterial skin infections

Bacterial skin infections are very common, and they can range from merely annoying to deadly. Most bacterial infections of the skin are caused by two bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and a form of Streptococcus.

Do you have a rash that you think might be caused by a bacteria? Here you'll find a list of the most common bacterial skin infections.

Erythrasma

Erythrasma is a skin infection that is often confused with jock itch. Find out more about erythrasma and how you can tell it apart from jock itch.

Carbuncle Information

A carbuncle is a collection of multiple infected hair follicles. Find out more about what a carbuncle looks like and how it's treated.

Cellulitis Information

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deeper layers of the skin. Find out what this infection looks like and how it's treated.

Folliculitis, Furuncles, and Carbuncles

Bacterial skin infections are common and some are self-limited. This article describes the difference between several types of bacterial skin infections and how they are treated.

Impetigo

Impetigo is a common bacterial skin infection. Learn more about what causes impetigo and how it is treated.

Hot Tub Folliculitis

Hot tub folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles caused by contact with contaminated water in hot tubs or whirlpools. Find out more about what this rash looks like and how it is treated.

Erysipelas - St. Anthony's Fire

Erysipelas, also known as St. Anthony's Fire, is an intensely red bacterial infection that occurs on the face and lower extremities.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Find out more about this chronic, progressive bacterial infection of sweat glands.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever - RMSF

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a potentially fatal bacterial disease transmitted by a tick. Find out more about what causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever and how it is treated.

Cuts. Scrapes, and Stitches - Avoiding Bacterial Infections

Good information about how to prevent bacterial infections from cuts, scrapes, and stitches.

Cutaneous Anthrax

The rash caused by cutaneous anthrax is fatal in less than 1% of cases treated with antibiotics. Find out more about what this rash looks like and why some people get this less serious form of anthrax.

Botulism

Botulism is a muscle-paralyzing disease caused by a toxin made by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. The CDC has designated Clostridium botulinum as a Category A bioterrorism threat. Find out more about this potentially fatal disease.

Plague

Plague has been classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a Category A bioterrorism threat. Find out more about this disease that has tormented mankind for centuries.

Tularemia

Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, is a disease that could pose a threat to the United States in the event of a biological attack. Find out more about the many forms of this disease and how they are treated.

Fungal Infections

Tinea Capitis

Tinea capitis, or ringworm on the scalp, is a common fungal infection in children. The main way it's transmitted is by coming in contact with an infected person or animal, but there are other ways a child can get it. Find out more about what tinea capitis looks like and how it's treated.

Fungal Infection

Most people cringe at the thought of having a fungal infection but in reality, we all have many types of fungi that live on our skin all the time. Most of the time these fungi don't cause any problems, but sometimes a fungus will change and cause an infection. These are some of the more common fungal infections people experience.

Fungal Infections - Tinea Versicolor

Tinea versicolor is a fungal infection caused by a yeast that normally inhabits the skin. Find out more about why this yeast causes a rash in some people and what this rash looks like.

Tinea Versicolor - Treatment of Tinea Versicolor

Tinea versicolor is a fungal infection caused by a yeast that normally inhabits the skin. Find out more about the most effective treatment options.

Intertrigo - Yeast Infection in Skin Folds

Intertrigo is a yeast infection that occurs in skin folds. Find out more about what this yeast infection looks like and how it is treated.

Ringworm - Tinea Corporis

Ringworm, also known as tinea corporis, is a superficial fungal infection of the skin. Find out more about what the ringworm rash looks like, how it is diagnosed, and how it is treated.

Jock Itch

Jock itch is a common fungal infection that affects more men than women. Find out more about this infection and what can be done to treat it.

Athlete's Foot - Tinea Pedis

Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis, is a very common fungal infection experienced by up to 70% of the population at some time in their life. Learn more about the types of athlete's foot and how they are treated.

Athlete's Foot Facts

Information about athlete's foot from your About Orthopedics Guide.

Parasitic Infections of the Skin

Parasites on the skin are usually small insects or worms that burrow into the skin to live there or lay their eggs.

Many types of parasitic skin infections require clinical care by a physician or other health care professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview.

Creeping Eruption

Lice

Scabies

URTICARIA