Functions of the skin; Care of the skin

FUNCTIONS OF THE SKIN

1. 1. PROTECTION-The skin protects the body against entrance of microbes, mechanical injuries, ultra-violet rays of sunlight and desiccation by acting as water-proof. The melanin absorbs the utral-violet rays which is harmful to the body
2. 2. SENSITIVITY. They contains different sense receptors which are to different environmental stimuli such as heat,pressure, cold,touch,and pain.
3. 3. EXCRETION AND OSMOREGULATION-The sweat gland excretes surplus water containing salt and some little among of waste nitrogenous substances mainly urea.

4.STORAGE OF FAT-Fats are stored under the dermis where they act as insulating layer.

5.THE MAMMARY glands of mammals are modification of the skin which produce milk feeding the young ones.

6.THE SKIN manufactures and stores vitamins D.

7.THE SKIN regulates the body temperature in two major ways;

(a)when the environment is hot. In hot weather the body temperature goes up ,and the followings happens to maintains a constant body temperature.

1. VASODILATION during which the blood vessels under the skin dilate which causes more blood to flow to surface of the skin .This allows heat to lost by radiation, conduction and convection.

11.INCREASING SWEATINGS-The flow of blood stimulates the sweat glands to produce more sweat which are sent to surface of skin .The evaporation of the brings about cooling since the latent heat of vaporization is taken from the body. In this manner the body temperature is kept constant.

LOWERING OF THE  HAIR-The are lowered and erector muscles relaxes thus lowering the hairs of the body therefore the layer of the air between the hairs and the skin is thin .Thinness of the air allows more heat to be lost from the body.

METABOLIC RATE DECREASES=The body slows down its activities to decreases the metabolic rate .This induces the heat released by metabolic reactions hence minimum heat is produced within the body.

(b)When there is cold, the body temperature falls and followings happen.

1.VASOCONSTRICTION=Less blood flows the surface of the skin in cold weather because the blood vessels udder  constrict therefore, less heat is lost through radiation, convection and conduction as little latent heat is taken from the body

DEREASE IN SWEATING=The sweat glands produces little sweat in order to   conserve heat within the  in body.

HAIRS ARE RAISED-The erector muscles of the hairs contract making hairs to stand erect. A layer of thick air is trapped between them. Air being a poor conductor of heat insulate the body and less is lost conduction , convection and radiation.

SHIVERING=When the body temperature is low some involuntary muscles contract and relax continuously ,thus increasing the  rate of respiration and more is released as heat  which when circulated to all parts of the body by the blood  stream helps to raise the body temperature.

INCREASING METABOLIC RATE=The body increases its metabolic rate especially the liver to produce more heat .

CARE OF THE SKIN

1 Bathe regularly with soap to remove dirt, sweats and natural oil from the skin.

11.Expose the skin to fresh air .

111.Eat balanced diet .

1v.Engage in regular excise.

Treat open wounds or cut.

V1.Treat skin diseases such as eczema, chicken pox and small pox.

V11.Always wears clean clothes.

V111.Avoid the use of injurious chemicals such as bleaching cream and soaps in order not to destroy the melanin pigment.