THE INTEGUMENTARY (SKIN) SYSTEM

Integument means a covering, therefore it is the skin, which consists of the corium or dermis (same thing) and the epidermis (epi = above). Another word for integumentary is cutaneous or dermis. So when you hear cutaneous, it is a reference to the skin and when you hear subcutaneous, it is a reference to below the skin. The integument system actually refers to the skin and its appendages, including the hair, fingernails and toenails. The integument is actually one of the (if not THE) largest organ system of the body. The function of the integument is to protect you against injury and parasitic invasion. It's a Good way to keep the critters out! The integument also regulates the body temperature by insulation you with a layer of fat underneath and aids the body in elimination, thereby preventing dehydration. It is a reservoir for food and water. The integument is a sense organ for the cutaneous (skin) senses. And when it is exposed to sunlight, it is able to absorb Vitamin D.
Skin conditions and skin signs listed here!

Skin is actually our first piece of clothing (our birthday suit). It's like a raincoat for our internal organs, bones and tissues. It's a container, it's stretchy, soft, hairy, waterproof and it repairs itself. Skin produces and creates all sorts of liquids. It manufactures waxes and oils that function to protect your body against germs and critters. Waxes and oils make your skin softer, but too much of a Good thing can also give you acne. The glands in your skin also make sweat in order to cool your body when it becomes overheated and the water evaporates. It is also an easy way to get rid of body chemicals when it needs to. Your skin is made of several layers of flat, stacked cells. In these stacks you will find glands, hair follicles, nerves, blood vessels and sensory receptors. The older cells are continuously being sloughed off by new cells that grow from the bottom up. When the older cells get to the top, they get flatter and wider. They look just like tiles from the kitchen floor under a microscope. While you are active, they get rubbed and sloughed off. Activity is even important in the integumentary system.
Skin conditions and skin signs listed here!

The different colors of skin is possible because of pigmentation. The more melanin you have in your skin, the darker you are. The less melanin you have, the lighter your skin is. Depending on the amount of melanin in your skin, depends on how much or how little you will tan because the sun will cause more melanin to be manufactured. And just because the sun can manufacture more melanin in your skin does not mean that it is safe. Your skin sends indicators or red flags to the surface of the skin to tell you that something is not quite right. JUST THE FACTS: Every minute 30,000 - 40,000 dead skin cells fall off or are sloughed off your body. In one month, your body will have a whole new layer of skin. An all new you every month! An adult will have more than 20 square feet of skin. You will shed about 40 pounds of skin during your lifetime.

LIST OF SKIN CONDITIONS & SIGNS

Abnormal dry skin: Could indicate abnormal deficiency of thyroid function or diabetes. Ashy: Could indicate malignant diseases, severe anemia, cancer, tuberculosis, chronic interstitial nephritis. Bronzing skin: Addison's Disease, poisoning with certain dyes or metals, early stages of pellagra. Brownish-Yellow Spots (a.k.a. - liver spots) on the skin: May be due to aging, congestion in the liver, in pregnancy (chloasma uterinum), exophthalmic goiter, uterine malignancies, liver malignancies, freckles, sunburn, cosmetics, mustard, turpentine and other irritants. Cherry Red skin: Carbon monoxide poisoning Cold Sweats on the skin: Indicates great prostration, fear, anxiety or depression. Cyanosis (blue skin): Slightly bluish, grayish, slatelike or dark purple discoloration of the skin because of abnormal amounts of reduced hemoglobin the blood. Discolored skin: Could indicate icterus, chlorosis, leprosy, administration of silver nitrate, jaundice, carotenemia, vitiligo, albinism, malignant diseases or asphyxia from gas. Edema or swelling of the skin: Could indicate anemia, hydremia, obstruction, inflammation and cardiac, circulatory and renal decompensation. Hot and dry skin: Could indicate fever, mental excitement or excessive salt intake. Moist skin: Could indicate increased perspiration (hyperhidrosis), fever due to malaria, rheumatism, relapsing or septic fever, pneumonic crisis, pulmonary tuberculosis, Grave's Disease, neuralgia, migraine, drugs, hot drinks or exercise. Lack of moistness in skin: Could indicate dehydration or ichthyosis. Paleness of the skin: Nervousness, dropsy, paralysis or malnutrition. Pallor skin: Seen in those who live indoors or stay indoors such as night workers or prisoners. Could also be due to anemia. Temporary pale skin could indicate syncope, chills, shock, rigors or a vasomotor instability. Sudden or persistent palor could be a sign of internal hemorrhage or lead poisoning. If the pale skin becomes permanent, it could indicate chronic febrile disease, chronic gastro-intestinal disease, cancer, arsenical poisoning, chronic suppuration, chronic mercurial poisoning, hemorrhages, leukemia, cachexia, nephrosis, nephritis, syphilis, parasitic diseases, tuberculosis or malaria. Purplish skin: Could indicate interference of circulation common in asthmatics and typhus. Red rashes on the skin: Could indicate local redness seen in inflammation, skin diseases, chronic alcoholism, vasomotor disturbances and pyrexia. Local redness with pain indicates an inflammatory process and suburn (actinic dermatitis).

Sallowness of the skin: Could indicate Cachexia, syphilis, chronic gallbladder disease, arthritis deformans, constipation, certain anemias, gastric conditions, pancreatic conditions, enteric conditions or hepatic (liver) conditions. Temperature changes in the skin: Temperature of the skin usually correlates with the temperature inside the body unless exposed to local applications of heat or exposure to cold. If the skin is generally cold, this may be due to poor circulation or obstruction of the same. It could indicate vasomotor spasms, venous or arterial thrombosis or exposure to cold. General abnormal heat is seen in febrile diseases, although in some of them a cold and clammy skin is present. Wrinkling of the skin: If the skin is permanently wrinkled, it may be due to aging. If temporary it could be due to prolonged immersion in the water or dehydration. Yellow skin: Could indicate increased carotene intake from carrots, sweet potatoes and other orange foods. It could also be due to jaundice or liver disease.