Q. Why is the skin important?
A. The skin is the body’s largest organ. It has the important roles of regulating body temperature, protecting against injury, and preventing infection. The skin contains nerves that sense cold, heat, pain, pressure, and touch.
Q. What are the layers of the skin?
A. The skin consists of a thin outer layer (epidermis), a thicker middle layer (dermis), and the lower layer (subcutaneous tissue or hypodermis).
Q. What is the difference between first, second, and third-degree burns?
A. First-degree burns are red and painful. They swell a little and turn white when you press on them. The skin over the burn might peel off in a day or two. These are the least severe type of burn, affecting only the outer layer of skin. Second-degree burns have blisters and are painful. They affect both the outer and thicker middle layer of skin. Third-degree burns cause damage to all layers of the skin. The burned skin looks white or charred. These burns might cause little or no pain if nerves are damaged.
Q. How can I treat sunburn?
A. The following can help ease the discomfort of sunburn:
-
Cold compress to the affected area(s)
-
Aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (like Motrin) to relieve discomfort and inflammation
-
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help relieve discomfort
-
A cooling gel or ointment containing aloe vera
-
Over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream
In cases of severe sunburn or sunstroke, see your doctor immediately.
Q.
How can skin problems be diagnosed?
A.
Doctors can diagnose many skin problems by taking a careful history of the symptoms and examining the skin. Sometimes, additional testing might be necessary. A variety of skin tests are available to help diagnose skin problems such as bacterial, viral, or fungal skin infections. A skin biopsy can be performed to tell the difference between rashes, malignant (cancerous), cells and benign (non-cancerous) growths.
Q. What causes acne?
A. The exact cause of acne is not known, but one important factor is an increase in hormones called androgens. These male sex hormones increase in both boys and girls during puberty. Some things that can make acne worse include friction caused by leaning on or rubbing the skin, harsh scrubbing, picking or squeezing blemishes, and emotional stress. Acne is not caused by chocolate, fatty foods, or other kinds of foods.
© Copyright 1995-2008 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved
Can't find the health information you’re looking for?
Ask a Health Educator, Live!
Click here to go to the Department of Dermatology Web site.
Know someone who could use this information?....send them this link.
This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 3/7/2005
