The skin is the largest organ of the body. Being the outer covering of the body and readily visible, healthy skin has often been equated to beauty and youth. Hence, persons desiring to remain young and radiant-looking tend to put much importance to skin health and care, It must be emphasized, however, that the skin plays a number of more vital roles in maintaining the overall health of individuals. Hence, proper care should not only be to keep it more attractive, but more importantly, to ensure that the skin functions properly.

Basic Skin Structure

The skin is composed of three layers: the epidermis – the outermost layer; the dermis – the middle layer, and the subcutaneous fat. The epidermis is the layer in contact with the environment. The barrier function of the skin mainly resides in this layer. In normal individuals, each cell is replaced by a new one every month. Also present in the epidermis are pigment cells that give color to the skin and offer protection from ultraviolet rays.

The dermis is the middle layer of the skin composed primarily of collagen and elastin, which provide strength and elasticity to the skin. The blood vessels and nerves are also found here. The third layer, the subcutaneous fat, serves as insulation and calorie reservoir.

Basic Skin Functions

First, the skin is valuable as a protective covering, acting as a barrier to fluids and other elements, such as germs and microbes. Internal fluids are prevented from leaving the body while external factors are also hindered from easily entering the body.

Second, the skin is important in temperature regulation. Adequate cooling is attained through sweating from the sweat glands in the skin, while conservation of heat occurs through vasoconstriction of blood vessels in the skin.

Third, the skin contributes protection from the rays of the sun. Melanin pigment plays an important role in this skin function.

Fourth, the skin is a source of sensory input to the body. Sensory nerve endings are found in the skin which transmits sensations from the outside to the brain.

Fifth, the skin serves as an organ for the metabolism of many important molecules such as synthesis of vitamin D.

Basic Skin Care

With background knowledge of the basic structure and function of the skin, it would be easier to understand the principles behind skin health and skin care. So how should we take care of our skin?

Proper skin care would include both care from within and from the outside. Keeping the body healthy contributes to healthy skin. Proper hygiene and a balanced diet are, therefore, crucial. Hence, eating the proper food, drinking at least six to eight glasses of water, intake of certain vitamins and minerals are recommended. These help in proper elimination, circulation, healing, and repair of the skin. In line with this, avoidance of too much alcohol, cigarettes, and stress is also essential. Furthermore, exercise enhances blood circulation to the skin.

Care of the skin from the outside includes proper cleansing and protection of the skin from harmful elements. Daily bathing is of utmost importance to remove dirt, grease and grime. Soap and water usually suffice in adequately cleaning the body. Each person should find the type of soap that suits his or her skin to avoid over-cleaning, drying and irritation of the skin.

Different types of soaps and products are available for individual needs. Newer products for hand sanitizing are available and may be used in the absence of soap and water. But if skin diseases, allergies, or irritation develops from soap or no-soap cleaners, a dermatologist can help in choosing the proper product and additional care necessary.

Different skins have different features and need individualized care. Skin differs in type, color, sensitivity, to external factors, and presence of disease. Skin types may be dry, oily, normal or a combination of these.

For normal skin, regular soap and water is usually sufficient to clean the skin. But for certain types, a special type of soap or additional care may be necessary. For dry skin, oilated soaps may be used and moisturizers applied to prevent further depletion of water from the surface.

You may choose a moisturizer that best fits your skin according to your skin type. If you have very oily skin, heavy moisturizers will only make it look and feel more oily and shiny. Oily skin may require the use of astringents or toners to remove excess grease. But usually, adequate washing may suffice. Also, keep in mind that dryness may be influenced by weather, sunlight, wind and substances applied. So, adjust your daily regimens accordingly.

Many Filipinos nowadays covet whiter, smoother, “flawless” skin. Pigmentations, blotchy skin, or darker complexions are self-treated with various bleaching or peeling agents. Be careful with these because if not used or performed properly, more damage than gain may develop such as allergies, irritation, burns, infection, or even more serious side effects.

Care for the skin with disorders may be more troublesome. Patients with acne (pimples), eczemas, allergies, infections, body odor and many others should consult a dermatologist for proper prevention, treatment and care of these conditions. Self-treatment of these may not only be ineffective, but sometimes harmful.

Care Against the Sun

The benefits of the sun are innumerable. However, it may also do a lot of damage, especially to the skin. The natural defenses of the skin to the harmful effects of the sun include the melanin or pigment cells. The darker complexions of Asians contain more pigment cells that assist in preventing damage. Despite this, accumulated sun exposure over the years

It is very common to hear mothers complain of rashes on their babies, that it is probably safe to assume that anything red or elevated found on their babies’ skin is referred to as a “rash.” It is thus necessary to differentiate those that are potentially dangerous or life-threatening and those that are milder and treatable on an out-patient basis. This article discusses some of the more common ones.

In the immediate newborn period there are transient skin diseases, problems that appear at birth and are resolved in 30 days. Milia are pinpoint papules (butlig na walang tubig) on the forehead, cheeks and nose, caused by retention of keratin within the baby’s dermis. Erythema toxicum is characterized by blotchy red macules (flat color change on the skin less than 1 cm) with a central vehicle or pustule, usually on the chest, back, face, and arms. Acne in the newborn may also manifest this way.

Mottling is common in babies, a blotchy bluish erythema that appears when a baby feels cold and improves upon rewarming. It is not uncommon to find crusting on the scalps of babies (cradle cap), a finding that may well be present until about three months of age, characteristic of seborrheic dermatitis. These clinical entities are amenable to topical and supportive treatment, and sometimes, none at all.

Skin lesions or changes may be a sign of infection or sepsis in the newborn. Vesicles or blisters (butlig na may tubig), pustules, jaundice (naninilaw), petechiae and/or pallor accompanied by lethargy, irritability and poor feeding give a clue to bacteria or viral infection and hence the baby must be immediately brought for evaluation.

In older babies, mothers often complain of pink-red patches, with or without scaling, on the cheeks. Sometimes the trunk and extremities are also affected, and the baby looks very uncomfortable, owing to intense itch. Atopic dermatitis, more common in families with a history of asthma or eczema, presents this way. There may be other accompanying skin signs, like blotchy white patches on the face and arms (pityriasis alba) and very dry skin. Patients are given a mild skin cleanser, low-to-mid potent topical steroids and moisturizing agents. More often than not the condition resolves without complication, but at times bacterial infection ensues, brought about by frequent scratching and manipulation of the skin. Oral antibiotics are then necessary. As the condition is recurrent, avoidance of possible triggers (e.g. food/ milk intolerance) is very helpful.

Another common problem is intertrigo. Seen on body folds, this manifests as red patches often found in the groin and armpits, and in chubbier babies, the neck fold. The presence of sweat in this area, plus the constant friction of movement, causes the problem. It is often expected to find consequent fungal infection, as these factors enhance its possibility. The appearance of small red papules around a bright red, beefy, glistening moist plaque in the groin, axilla and neck suggests candidal intertrigo, a yeast infection. Topical antifungals provide definitive therapy, but foremost is the prevention of precipitating factors.

“Bungang-araw,” (miliara rubra) is a frequent complaint especially during the summer months. These are very pruritic, almost pinpoint pink papulovesicles on the back, erupting when the patient is placed constantly in a hot, humid environment. Cooling is the most important preventive step, and it is suggested that affected individuals take quick showers with mild cleansers.

In summary, these are the most important points:

Keep babies in cool, comfortable environments, dress them in light and light-colored clothes.

• Avoid soaking in wet diapers or liners. Keep them clean and fresh all the time.
• Observe for any changes in the baby’s overall disposition: irritability, poor feeding, etc.
• Do not ignore skin problems. Moreover, do not self-medicate, either with topical creams and ointments, or herbal extracts and coconut oil. The application of menthol, salicylic acid, and sulfur in oil and many others can cause irritation and burning of the baby’s skin.
• Seek medical care. Worrying (on the parent’s part) and complications (on the baby’s) can be avoided if prompt and accurate medical diagnosis is given and treatment is instituted.