Integumentary System Disorders

This report discusses about disorders of integumentary system their pathophysiology, sign and symptoms and their medications. Skin is an organ of integumentary system which protects our body from several types of harms like it work as an umbrella for deeper tissues and it eliminates the wastes from body in the form of sweat and it also maintain the temperature of human body.

Skin

Human body is covered by a layer of skin, which has two main layers and it is accounts approximately 10 to 15% weight of human body. Skin works as a barrier against ultra violet radiations. Skin has two layers, epidermis is out and dermis is inner layer of skin. Hypodermis layer is made by adipose tissue that’s why it is not consider as a major layer.

Epidermis

It is surface of the skin which is rest on the fatty subcutaneous layer. Epidermis has four layers stratum germinativum, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosam, and stratum corneum. It doesn’t contain blood vessels and totally depends upon dermis for the transportation of nutrients and elimination of the waste.

Dermis

Dermis is inner layer of human body and it also has two layers papillary layer and reticular layer. Dermis is more complicated in structure. Reticular consists thick layer and thick combinative tissues with large blood vessels and papillary layer is made up of thin layer and loose connective tissues with capillaries and elastic fibres.

Hypodermis

It is the thickest and innermost layer of the skin which release chitinous cuticle. It is fat storage layer. Hypodermis works as an energy holding part of human body. It converts fat in energy and put back in the circulation and sent it to needy areas via venous route.

Functions of skin

• Skin is the biggest organ of human body in surface and mass. Skin has three main functions. Sensation, regulation and protection.
• Sensation is a major function of skin, by this function we feels heat, cold, touch and pain.
• Regulation- skin maintains the body temperature via sweat and hair and also balances the body fluid via sweat.
• Skin works as a barrier for our body, it prevent our body form ultra violet rays and many bacterial infections.

Disorders

Stasis dermatitis

It is a type of dermatitis. Stasis dermatitis is a common skin inflammatory disease occurs on below the ankles. It occurs due to poor blood circulation and in complicated cases it can progress in ulcers. Usually it happens when blood is collects in the veins of lower legs and that bloods increases pressure in the veins which harms the capillaries. This damage of capillaries forces the proteins to leak in the tissues. This leakage causes legs to swell. That’s why the people suffering with this disease usually have swollen legs, open sores itchy skin.

Sign and symptoms

A person who is suffering from this disease has some symptoms like in first stage the skin of legs become thin.

• Skin blemish
• Prickle
• Scaling
• Ulcers, sores
• Leg swelling
• Calf pain
• Heaviness in legs

Medications

Drug	Brand name	Dosage	Side effects
Triamcinolone	Triderm, Kenalog	3-4 times daily on effected area.	Irritation, hypertrichosis, itching.
Pimecrolimus	Elidel	Apply thin layer q12hr on affected area.	Burning sensation, headache.
Tacrolimus ointment	Protopic	Apply thin layer q12hr on affected area.	Skin erythema, headache, burning sensation.

Cutaneous candidiasis

Candidiasis is a skin disorder which occurs by the excessive growth of candida fungus on skin. The person who is suffering from this disease has red rash and itchy skin. In early stages it can be prevent by antifungal creams and powders. It may cause by hot weather, rare undergarment changes, poor hygiene and obesity. Usually candida fungi are developed in warm and moist areas like fold of skin, armpits, under breast and between the fingers. It can also effects nails.

Sign and symptoms

• Ring worms
• Rash on body
• Crack on the fold areas
• Rash on genitals
• Patches of red and purple colour on hips and under breast.

Medications

Drug	Brand name	Dosage	Side effects
Miconazole	fungoid tincture, cavilon antifungal cream	Apply twice in a day without rubbing.	Irritation, hypersensitivity.
Terbinafine, topical	Lamisil	Apply on folding areas for up to 4 weeks.	Allergic reactions, redness and itch.
Ketoconazole, topical	Nizoral topical, extina	Apply once daily for 2-3 weeks	Burning sensation, irritation, and allergic reaction.