When I ask many, which is the biggest organ in your body, mostly I get the wrong answer. You might be surprised to find out it is the skin which many do not think as an organ.

Your skin is important and it covers and protects everything inside your body. Muscles, bones and organs would be hanging out if we do not have skin, simply it holds everything together. It also protects our bodies, helps to maintain our body temperature and also allow us to have the sense of touch.

Skin also protects from heat, cold, bacteria, viruses, fungi, pressure, stroke, loss of water, UV-radiation and also from mild acids.

The skin is also immunologically active through defence mechanisms in epidermis and dermis.

The skin produces vitamin D through exposure to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight with cholesterol.

The skin is important in our social life through paling, blushing, shining and other expressions regulated by the autonomic nervous system; it serves as a marvellous communication system.

The skin diseases include:

Eczema – it is a term used for many different types of skin swelling and it is also called dermatitis. It is not dangerous, but causes swollen, red, dry and itchy skin. Irritating substances, allergies, genes, and other diseases are the causes for eczema and it is not infectious. Unfortunately we can not cure eczema, but we can avoid, stress, irritants and all the other allergic factors.

Impetigo – it is a skin disease caused by bacteria and is more common in children between the ages of two and six. It starts when the bacteria get in the skin through a cut, scratch or also insect bite. The symptoms are sores usually on the face, arms and legs. They are with pus and itchy. It is infectious and can be treated with antibiotics.

Psoriasis – a problem of the immune system causes psoriasis, skin cells which grow deep in the skin rise to the surface and this cell turnover may be the cause. The symptoms are itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales.

Psoriasis can last a life time with or without the symptoms and infections; dry skin, stress and certain drugs make it worse. Adults are mostly affected, may prevail in families and the treatment include drugs, creams and light therapy.

Rashes – it is an area of irritated and swollen skin and may be red, itchy, scaly, crusty or blistered. It is from several different conditions including allergies, genes, toxins, pollutants, side effects of medicines and other diseases. Contact allergy is the usual cause of rash. Baths, lotions, hydrocortisone creams, antihistamines and moisturizers may relieve itching.

Itching – it is skin irritation which makes you to scratch and the causes are side effects of prescribed or over-the-counter drugs, allergic reactions, rashes, dry skin, eczema, chemicals, pollutants, parasites and pregnancy.

Several lotions, creams and drugs are there to treat; your doctor must decide which treatment is correct for you.

Skin cancer – it is the most common form of cancer in several countries, the basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. The dangerous skin cancer is melanoma, but it is less common.

You should check your body for moles or marking which may change the colour and form, if you find something, go to your skin specialist immediately. Treatment in the early stages can cure, but unnoticed cancer cells can spread to other tissues and organs.

Skin pigmentation disorders – It affects the colour of your skin, melanin, produced in the skin cells gives the colour. When these cells are affected, the production of melanin is decreased and the skin pigmentation is also affected as patches of skin of the entire body. Too much of melanin production makes your skin darker.

Skin aging – your skin also becomes old with you, wrinkles, dryness and age spots are the result. It becomes thin and loses fat, becomes smooth and plump. Sunlight is a main cause of skin aging and cigarette smoking makes also the skin old; it is applicable to passive smoking also. If you are not drinking enough water it makes your skin also quickly old. These risks could be avoided with proper dress, sunscreen with a protective factor of at least 15 and stopping smoking.

Right food and healthy lifestyle do good to your skin and it will stay young even if you become old.

If there are problems consult your doctor first before using any cream or medicines.