Skin Diseases, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

By Kenneth Kee

This book describes Skin Diseases, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases
Skin is the soft outer covering of human.
The human skin is the biggest organ (15% total body weight) of the body and forms the outer covering of the body.
The skin has multiple layers of ectodermal tissue and protects the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs.
While nearly all human skin is covered with hair follicles, it can appear hairless.
There are two normal types of skin:
1.Hairy – most skin areas are hairy
2.Glabrous skin. – Hairless, present in the palms and soles
The skin for the average adult human has a surface area of between 1.5-2.0 square meters (16.1-21.5 sq ft.) with most of it between 2–3mm (0.10 inch) thick.
The average square inch (6.5sq.cm) of skin holds:
1.650 sweat glands,
2.20 blood vessels,
3.60,000 melanocytes and
4.More than 1,000 nerve endings.
The Skin is divided into:
1. The epidermis which supplies waterproofing and functions as a barrier to infection
2. The dermis which functions as a location for the appendages of skin
3. The hypodermis (subcutaneous adipose layer).
The skin is one of the most important parts of the body because it interfaces with the environment and is the first line of defense from external factors.
The Functions of the Skin are:
The main function is as a protective and elastic covering of the human body.
Since it interacts with the environment, the skin has a key part in protecting the body against pathogens and excessive water loss.
Its other functions are:
1.Insulation,
2.Temperature regulation,
3.Sensation,
4.Synthesis of vitamin D, and
5.The protection of vitamin B folates.
Severely injured skin will try to repair by forming scar tissue.
This is frequently discolored and de-pigmented.
Skin and Its Micro-organisms
The skin has its own ecosystems of microorganisms including yeasts and bacteria which cannot be removed by any quantity of cleaning.
Estimates place the number of individual bacteria on the surface of one square inch (6.5 square cm) of human skin at 50 million though this figure differs greatly over the average 20 square feet (1.9sq.m) of human skin.
Oily surfaces such as the face may contain over 500 million bacteria per square inch (6.5sq.cm).
All of the bacteria found on the skin's surface would fit into a volume the size of a pea.
Aging
As skin ages, it becomes thinner and more easily damaged.
Photo-aging has two main concerns:
1. An increased risk for skin cancer
2. The appearance of damaged skin.
In the older population the skin becomes thinner and the epidermis turnover rate for cell repair is lower which may result in the dermis layer being damaged.
Skin Cancer
With over 1 million new cases each year, skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer.
There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Cellulitis is a common infection of the lower layers of skin (dermis) and the subcutaneous tissues (areas underneath the skin) caused by a bacterial infection.
Staphylococci are the bacteria that most commonly cause cellulitis, followed by Streptococci.
Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin disorder caused by a superficial skin infection with the poxvirus.
Pityriasis rosea is a common rash usually seen in individuals
Psoriasis is a noncontagious skin condition that produces red, dry plaques of thickened skin.
Eczema is a skin condition caused by inflammation.
Atopic dermatitis is the most common of the many types of eczema.
Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes in the skin are destroyed.
Lichen Planus is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin.
Keloid is an overgrowth of fibroblastic tissue in scars.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 Skin
Chapter 2 Skin Di

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kenneth Kee
• Release date: Feb 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463675960

Kenneth Kee

Medical doctor since 1972.Started Kee Clinic in 1974 at 15 Holland Dr #03-102, relocated to 36 Holland Dr #01-10 in 2009.Did my M.Sc (Health Management ) in 1991 and Ph.D (Healthcare Administration) in 1993.Dr Kenneth Kee is still working as a family doctor at the age of 74However he has reduced his consultation hours to 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours inthe afternoon.He first started writing free blogs on medical disorders seen in the clinic in 2007 on http://kennethkee.blogspot.com.His purpose in writing these simple guides was for the health education of his patients which is also his dissertation for his Ph.D (Healthcare Administration). He then wrote an autobiography account of his journey as a medical student to family doctor on his other blog http://afamilydoctorstale.blogspot.comThis autobiography account “A Family Doctor’s Tale” was combined with his early “A Simple Guide to Medical Disorders” into a new Wordpress Blog “A Family Doctor’s Tale” on http://ken-med.com.From which many free articles from the blog was taken and put together into 1000 eBooks.He apologized for typos and spelling mistakes in his earlier books.He will endeavor to improve the writing in futures.Some people have complained that the simple guides are too simple.For their information they are made simple in order to educate the patients.The later books go into more details of medical disorders.He has published 1000 eBooks on various subjects on health, 1 autobiography of his medical journey, another on the autobiography of a Cancer survivor, 2 children stories and one how to study for his nephew and grand-daughter.The purpose of these simple guides is to educate patient on health disorders and not meant as textbooks.He does not do any night duty since 2000 ever since Dr Tan had his second stroke.His clinic is now relocated to the Buona Vista Community Centre.The 2 units of his original clinic are being demolished to make way for a new Shopping Mall.He is now doing some blogging and internet surfing (bulletin boards since the 1980's) startingwith the Apple computer and going to PC.The entire PC is upgraded by himself from XT to the present Pentium duo core.The present Intel i7 CPU is out of reach at the moment because the CPU is still expensive.He is also into DIY changing his own toilet cistern and other electric appliance.His hunger for knowledge has not abated and he is a lifelong learner.The children have all grown up and there are 2 grandchildren who are even more technically advanced than the grandfather where mobile phones are concerned.This book is taken from some of the many articles in his blog (now with 740 posts) A Family Doctor’s Tale.Dr Kee is the author of:"A Family Doctor's Tale""Life Lessons Learned From The Study And Practice Of Medicine""Case Notes From A Family Doctor"

Book preview

Skin Diseases,

A

Simple

Guide

To

The Condition,

Diagnosis,

Treatment

And

Related Conditions

By

Dr Kenneth Kee

M.B.,B.S. (Singapore)

Ph.D (Healthcare Administration)

Copyright Kenneth Kee 2019 Smashwords Edition

Published by Kenneth Kee at Smashwords.com

Dedication

This book is dedicated

To my wife Dorothy

And my children

Carolyn, Grace

And Kelvin

This book describes Skin Diseases, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases which is seen in some of my patients in my Family Clinic.

(What You Need to Treat Skin Diseases)

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader.

If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Introduction

I have been writing medical articles for my blog: http://kennethkee.blogspot.com (A Simple Guide to Medical Disorder) for the benefit of my patients since 2007.

My purpose in writing these simple guides was for the health education of my patients.

Health Education was also my dissertation for my Ph.D (Healthcare Administration).

I then wrote an autobiolographical account of his journey as a medical student to family doctor on his other blog: http://afamilydoctorstale.blogspot.com.

This autobiolographical account A Family Doctor’s Tale was combined with my early A Simple Guide to Medical Disorders into a new Wordpress Blog A Family Doctor’s Tale on http://kenkee481.wordpress.com.

From which many free articles from the blog was taken and put together into 800 eBooks.

Some people have complained that the simple guides are too simple.

For their information they are made simple in order to educate the patients.

The later books go into more details of medical disorders.

The first chapter is always from my earlier blogs which unfortunately tends to have typos and spelling mistakes.

Since 2013, I have tried to improve my spelling and writing.

As I tried to bring the patient the latest information about a disorder or illness by reading the latest journals both online and offline, I find that I am learning more and improving on my own medical knowledge in diagnosis and treatment for my patients.

Just by writing all these simple guides I find that I have learned a lot from your reviews (good or bad), criticism and advice.

I am sorry for the repetitions in these simple guides as the second chapters onwards have new information as compared to my first chapter taken from my blog.

I also find repetition definitely help me and maybe some readers to remember the facts in the books more easily.

I apologize if these repetitions are irritating to some readers.

Chapter 1

Skin Cell

What is a Skin Cell?

Skin is the soft outer covering of human.

The human skin is the biggest organ (15% total body weight) of the body and forms the outer covering of the body.

The skin has multiple layers of ectodermal tissue and protects the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs.

While nearly all human skin is covered with hair follicles, it can appear hairless.

There are two normal types of skin:

1. Hairy – most skin areas are hairy

2. Glabrous skin. – Hairless, present in the palms and soles

The adjective cutaneous indicates of the skin.

The skin for the average adult human has a surface area of between 1.5-2.0 square meters (16.1-21.5 sq ft.) with most of it between 2–3mm (0.10 inch) thick.

The average square inch (6.5sq.cm) of skin holds:

1. 650 sweat glands,

2. 20 blood vessels,

3. 60,000 melanocytes and

4. More than 1,000 nerve endings.

The Skin is divided into:

1. The epidermis which supplies waterproofing and functions as a barrier to infection

2. The dermis which functions as a location for the appendages of skin

3. The hypodermis (subcutaneous adipose layer).

Epidermis

The epidermis is made of the outermost layers of the skin.

It produces a protective barrier over the body's surface, accountable for keeping water in the body and preventing pathogens from entering.

It is a stratified squamous epithelium, made of proliferating basal and differentiated supra-basal keratinocytes.

The epidermis also helps the skin regulate body temperature.

The Epidermis is divided into 4 layers:

a. Basal or Germinative

b. Suprabasal or Malpigian

c. Translucent or Granular

d. Stratum corneum or horny layer

e. An extra layer called the lucid layer lies above the granular layer and is found only on the palms and soles.

The cells of the basal layer slowly develop into the cells of the horny layer changing in shape as they move through the supra-basal and transitional layers.

The basal layer lies deepest in the epidermis and next to the dermis.

The supra-basal layer is also called the prickle cell layer, cells held together by prickles

The transitional or granular layer is composed of 1to 4 rows of diamond shaped cells.

1. The outer horny layer cells have no nuclei.

2. The outermost layer of the epidermis consists of 25 to 30 layers of dead cells.

3. Its hardness is due to the protein keratin.

The Epidermis contains

1. Skin surface lipid – the lipid helps to waterproof the skin and hair

2. Keratin - fibrous protein from horny layer of epidermis

3. Water – The skin contains 18-20% of total body content of body.

The Epidermis forms the waterproof, protective wrap over the body's surface and is made up of stratified squamous epithelium with an underlying basal lamina.

The epidermis has no blood vessels and cells in the deepest layers are nurtured by diffusion from blood capillaries extending to the upper layers of the dermis.

Blood capillaries are present beneath the epidermis and are linked to an arteriole and a venule.

Arterial shunt vessels may sidestep the network in ears, the nose and fingertips.

The main categories of cells which make up the epidermis are

1. Keratinocytes are the major cells forming 95% of the epidermis,

2. Merkel cells,

3. Melanocytes

4. Langerhans cells.

The epidermis can be further subdivided into these strata or layers (beginning with the outermost layer):

1. Stratum corneum

2. Stratum lucidum (only in palms and soles)

3. Stratum granulosum

4. Stratum spinosum

5. Stratum germinativum (the stratum basale)

Keratinocytes in the stratum basale propagate through mitosis.

The divided cells move up the strata changing shape and composition as they die due to isolation from their blood source.

The cytoplasm is released and the protein keratin is inserted into the stratum corneum.

The cells go through multiple stages of cell differentiation to ultimately become anucleated.

During that process