Peeling Skin Syndrome (Case Study Sample)

Peeling Skin Syndrome
Name
Affiliation
Course

Professor 

Date
Peeling Skin Syndrome
The skin is the largest organ of the body with many different functions, protection being the largest. The skin insulates and cushions the body organs protecting the entire body from mechanical damage such as bumps, cuts, and chemical damage from acids and bases. In addition, protecting the body from thermal damage produced by extreme heat or cold. Another function of the skin is to protect the body from ultraviolet (UV) radiation caused by sunlight. The uppermost hardened layer of the skin helps prevent water loss from the body’s surface. The sweat gland is important in regulating heat loss from the body's surface. The skin is a mini-excretory system for urea, salts, and water. The skin manufactures proteins important to immunity and synthesizes vitamin D in the presence of sunlight. The skin produces acidic secretions, called the acid mantle, that protect against bacterial invasion. The skin has two layers, the epidermis and the dermis. A dermal-epidermal junction membrane separates these two layers. The epidermis, or the top layer, also consists of several layers. The stratum corneum is the thin, outermost layer of the epidermis, consisting of flattened and keratinized cells. The cells divide, proliferate, and migrate toward the epidermal surface. After the cells reach the stratum corneum, they flatten and die. This constant movement ensures the replacement of surface cells sloughed during normal desquamation or shedding. It protects underlying cells and tissue from dehydration and prevents the entrance of certain chemical agents. It also allows the evaporation of water from the skin. The dermis, the inner layer of the skin, provides tensile strength, mechanical support, and protection to the underlying muscles, bones, and organs. It contains mostly connective tissue and skin cells like collagen, known as a fibrous protein, blood