The skin , hair and nails make up the largest body organ. The skin specifically is the largest organ on or in the human body. The skin has 2 layers: the epidermis, the outer layer and the dermis, the inner layer. The superficial cells of the epidermis are continually being rubbed off and replaced by newer cells from below. The epidermis contains no blood vessels or lymphatic vessels and it obtains nutrients by absorption from the lower dermis.
The dermis is a thicker layer made up from blood vessels and lymphatics, sweat glands, hair follicles, sebaceous glands and nerve endings. it contains connective tissue with tough elastic fibers that give the skin it’s strength and elasticity. With age this is lost and the skin becomes looser and wrinkled. Hairs grow from the hair papilla cells in the dermis. Sebaceous glands protect both the hair and skin with a waterproof layer called sebum.
The skin has 5 main functions:
to control temperature, to protect the body, to feel sensations and warn against harmful stimuli, to absorb substances (such as ultraviolet which is converted into vitamin D and storage. On a hot day temperature is controlled by sweating and dilation of blood vessels in the skin to loose heat. In cold weather the hair follicles stand on end, trapping air to warm the body. The skin also protects the body from injury and acts as a barrier to viruses and bacteria.
So what can go wrong ?
Dermatitis and eczema which make the skin dry, inflamed and itchy are common problems. They are often caused by allergies to washing powder and detergents, metals (especially nickel) and perfumes. They can occur with asthma and hay fever. Acute allergic conditions can cause an intensely itchy rash or hives’.
Psoriasis is a disease where the cell production rate greatly accelerates. Red scaly patches or ‘plaques’ occur which are often itchy. It can go into remission for several months. The skin also protects us from infection and when the defence mechanism breaks down, boils, spots, abscesses, impetigo (bacterial) or ring worm (fungal) can appear. Acne often starts at puberty when a surge of sex hormones causes extra activity of the sebaceous glands and blockage of the ducts and bacterial infection of the glands also causes acne.
Whatever skin condition you have natural medicine will use certain therapies to deal with it, one of the main therapies is nutrition, this is fundamental to good health and wellbeing and also the quality of and how much water you consume throughout the day. In addition to your diet Acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and topical creams made from essential oils all work together to give the best results.
At Acu-Care Naturopathics, I regularly treat skin conditions using a combination of homeopathy western herbal medicine supplements nutritional advice and of course acupuncture.
Regardless of your medically diagnosed condition natural medicine has something to offer either as a stand alone treatment or as complementary treatment along side orthodox treatment.
The Acu-Care Naturopathic clinic is suitably located for many of Perth’s suburbs and is particularly handy for; Belmont, south perth, vic park, lathlain, Carlisle, kewdale, rivervale, redcliffe, Burswood, and cloverdale.
To find out more about acupuncture and how it can help you call 9478-1415 or better still make an appointment today.
Best of health
Paul Neilson