VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 8 • AUGUST 2014
A SLICE OF ORANGE Refreshing Your Health
SYSTEM IN FOCUS: THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM • Skin deep • Acne (pimples, blackhead, whiteheads) • Fungal infections
System in focus: The integumentary system WHILE BEAUTY MAY BE SKIN DEEP, HEALTHY SKIN IS A REFLECTION OF A HEALTHY BODY.
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When most people think of skin, they think of beauty and external apprearance. Rightfully so, your skin covers almost every part of your body, from head to toe. Even your skin and hairs are just extensions of your skin.
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 8 • AUGUST 2014
But unknown to many, the skin is just as crucial to the human body as any other, and damage to the skin can be devastating. In some cases such as burns, the body considers this a more traumatic experience—releasing more stress response—than other bodily damage. In fact, the skin performs many crucial functions:
• Protecting the body’s internal tissues
and hypodermis. The epidermis is made up
Acne (pimples, blackhead,
of small cells that contain a tough, water-
whiteheads)
• Protecting against invasion by
proof material called keratin (like in hair). It
Acne is caused by interaction of different
also has melanin-secreting cells that give skin
factors, from bacteria (Propionibacterium
• Keeping water in the body, protecting
its color. Melanin is a dark-colored pigment
acnes), to hormones (sex hormones estrogen
that blocks ultraviolet rays. As the bottom
and testosterone, and stress hormone corti-
• Protecting the body against changes
layers of the epidermis multiply, the older
sol), to skin oil and dryness, to diet. While
and organs infectious organisms from dehydration
keratin-filled cells get pushed outward and
we now know that chocolates may not cause
• Excreting waste materials through
are later rubbed off as dead skin.
acne breakouts, too much sugars apparently
perspiration
The dermis is the layer under the epider-
can. Furthermore, there are many kinds of
• Sensing touch, pressure, pain, heat,
mis, and is made up of connective tissues
acne, from blackheads, to whiteheads, to
such as tough collagen and springy elastin. It
pimples, to papules, to nodules. Each one
• Protecting the body against sunburns
gives the skin its form and elasticity. The der-
may need a different form of treatment.
mis contains blood vessels, nerve endings,
in temperature
and cold by secreting melanin
• Producing vitamin D
hair, and glands with openings that pierce
• Storing water, fat, and vitamin D
through the epidermis as pores, or open next
• Maintaining the body’s form
to hair shafts. There are two major kinds of
Myth 1: Acne is caused by dirty pores.
• Repairing minor injuries.
glands here: sweat glands, and oil glands.
Clean skin vigorously to treat acne and
The innermost layer is the hypodermis,
scurb off dirt.
First, let’s debunk the myths:
Skin deep
and is mostly made up of fat (yes, the kind
To understand diseases of the skin, let us
that grows when you over-eat).
Because of this myth, people have turned to
quickly review our high school biology on
The most common skin diseases are skin
scrubbing their face and washing the face
the parts of the skin.
allergy, acne, and skin infections. But since
with strong soaps. Scrubbing can trauma-
we already tackled allergies last month, we
tize skin, and disrupt whiteheads, leading to
will move on to acne.
more ance breakout.
The skin is made up of three major lay-
ers (top to bottom): the epidermis; dermis;
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 8 • AUGUST 2014
Myth 2: Acne is caused by too much oil.
5% benzoyl peroxide or tretinoin (retinoic
However, if the ringworm affects large
Remove the oil to treat acne.
acid). Use these products daily and be pa-
areas of your body, or affects your nails, visit
tient. You need to wait at least two weeks
a physician, who may prescribe you stron-
While skin oil plays a role in the develop-
to a month to see visible effects. Avoid sun
ger antifungal medications.
ment of acne, soaping away the oil can lead
exposure while on these products. If your
to dry skin, which can also ironically lead
face turns red, you are using a too-strong
vent ringworms through the following mea-
to acne breakouts. The skin needs moisture
product: get a milder concentration. Warn-
sures:
to exfoliate evenly, and uneven exfoliation
ing: benzoyl peroxide can bleach clothes.
can cause acne. Use mild, hypoallergenic
Roundworm fungi thrive on moisture. Pre-
• Keep your body clean.
skin cleansers, and avoid soap altogether.
Fungal infections
• Dry ringworm-prone body parts
In fact, a mild, hypoallergenic facial moistur-
While bacterial infections are more com-
thoroughly. Keep them dry by using
izer may also help ease acne flare.
mon, fungal infections are more persistent
products such as foot spray or
and bothersome. Fungal skin infections,
antifungal powder.
particularly “ringworms”, are common, itchy,
• Avoid tight-fitting clothes and
and embarrassing. Ringworms are red,
underwear, especially in ringworm-
Some pimples heal faster when popped,
scaly, itchy rashes with a distinct, raised
prone areas.
but in most cases where the pimple is deep,
border. They can grow on the head, feet,
• Change underwear every day.
popping will only lead to permanent scars.
hands, nail, beard, body or groin. Scratch-
• Wear your own slippers in public
You have read it many times before, and I
ing can spread the fungus to other parts of
will say it again: Do not pop pimples.
the body.
• Avoid socks that trap moisture.
If you have ringworms in only one part of
• Select shoes that let your feet “breathe.”
pimples and nodules; acne that flare up in
the body, go ahead and treat the affected
• Do not share clothes, brushes, combs,
conjunction with one’s menstrual cycle; or
area with a topical anti-fungal cream con-
acne on the chest and back need to be
taining terbinafine, clotrimazole, or ketocon-
• Since pets can spread ringworms,
treated by a dermatologist.
azole. Continue treatment for 2 weeks, even
bring pets with patchy hairloss to
if symptoms disappear, to prevent the infec-
the vet.
Myth 3: Pop pimples to get rid of them.
Moderate to severe acne; deep scarring
Mild acne can be treated with over-the-
counter products, such as those that contain
socks and underwear with others.
tion from coming back.
Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelinkbenefits.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2014 ActiveLink
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A Slice of Orange
is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.
Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD