Integumentary System Overview

What is the Integumentary System made-up of?

- Skin (largest organ in the body)

- Sweat

- Oil Glands

- Hair

- Nails

What does the Skin do?

- Protects muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and everything inside the body from injury;

- Prevents pathogens, chemicals, harmful substances from entering the body;

- Helps control body temperature (sweating and keeping heat in);

- Helps body make and store Vitamin D.

What does the Hair do?

- Keeps the body warm;

- Protects areas from dust and other small particles (ex eyes)

What do Nails do?

- Protect the nail beds of fingers and toes from injury and infection;

- Helps pick up small objects or scratch an itch

Diseases & Conditions

Dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin

* Treated with Corticosteroids

Eczema

Dry, Itchy patches of skin

* Treated with corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, interleukin-4 inhibitors

Psoriasis

An autoimmune skin condition causing thick, scaly areas of skin

* Treated with corticosteroids, retinoids, vitamin d3 analogues, calcineurin inhibitors, phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors

Acne

Characterized by pimples (whiteheads and blackheads) and blemishes

--> Caused by increased oil production, abnormal clumping of skin, or presence of bacteria

* Treated with retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, antibiotics.

Rosacea

Redness and sometimes small, red, pus-filled bumps on the face.

* Treated with retinoids

Warts

Rough, fleshy bumps on the skin. Caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

* Treated with salicylic acid

Bruns

Damage to the skin or deeper tissues caused by sun, hot liquids, fire, electricity, or chemicals.

* Treated with silver sulfadiazine

Alopecia

Hair loss

* Treated with hair growth agents

Onychomycosis

Nail fungus causing thickened, brittle nails

* Treated with Antifungals