Skin, Hair, Nails Archives - Healthhype

Human Skin Anatomy – Structure of Epidermis and Dermis Layers

Dr. Chris — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:17:16 +0000

The human skin and its related structures are known as the integumentary system. It is the largest organ in the body measuring 2 square meters in the average adult. Being the outermost structure, it is often the focus of much attention with a poor understanding of its anatomy and physiology. It can be considered as the most resilient organ in the human body as it is bombarded on a daily basis with a number of insults yet is able to withstand these attacks and continue functioning throughout life. Layers of the Human Skin The skin is composed of two layers, the outer epidermis and deeper dermis. There are two other layers worth noting, namely the basement membrane between the epidermis and dermis, and the hypodermis / subcutis beneath the dermis. These layers are often considered as part of the epidermis and dermis. Picture from Wikimedia Commons The Epidermis The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin about 0.1 to 0.2 millimeters thick. It is made up of four types of cells : the keratinocytes which make up 90% of the epidermis, the Langerhans cells, melanocytes and Merkel cells which constitute the remaining 10% of the epidermis. The keratinocytes, apart from [...]

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What are Freckles? Freckle vs Lentigo (Liver Spots) and Moles

Dr. Chris — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:43:36 +0000

What is a Freckle? Freckles are hyperpigmented spots on the skin, especially on the face, that is more common among lightly pigmented individuals. A freckle, also known as an ephelis, is usually small with a diameter of 1 millimeter or more but not exceeding 5 millimeters (macules). These spots are flat, with several occurring together in a circumscribed area and may vary slightly in color from tan with a slightly reddish hue to light brown. Changes in color may be noticed after sun exposure and freckles may even fade and darken during winter and summer months respectively. What Causes Freckles? Melanocytes are a type of cell found in the epidermis of the skin. It produces the pigment melanin which helps protect the skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet light. Melanin concentration varies in the skin but tends to increase in areas exposed to sunlight. Freckles are caused by an increase in melanin production by the melanocytes in the epidermis of the skin. Although the amount of pigment is increased at the specific spot, the number of melanocytes stays the same but the cells may be enlarged. Picture from Wikimedia Commons Freckles tend to occur in people with very pale [...]

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Acanthosis Nigricans (Dark Thick Skin Folds) Causes and Pictures

Dr. Chris — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 10:37:34 +0000

What is acanthosis nigricans? Acanthosis nigricans is a type of skin condition characterized by thick dark (hyperpigmented) skin which tends to occur on the skin folds – armpits (axillae), neck, and groin. Typically the hyperpigmented skin has a velvety texture and can therefore be clearly differentiated from hyperpigented areas of normal skin. Acanthosis nigricans can occur with certain diseases and has gained much attention in recent years due to its association with obesity and insulin resistance as is seen in type 2 diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). There are two types of acanthosis nigricans with several different catgeories. The same process is involved in all types and forms of acanthosis nigricans which involves rapid stimulation of the dermis and epidermis of the skin by most commonly by hormonal factors. This results in overgrowth (hyperplasia) and thickening (hyperkeratosis) of the skin with increased melanin deposition (hyperpigmentation) although the number and size of the melanocytes (pigment-producing skin cells) remains the same. The proliferation of the dermal papillae contributes to the velvet texture of the affected area. Acanthosis nigricans is a benign skin condition. Even when associated with malignancy, it is not due to cancer of the skin or at the site but a [...]

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Melasma, Chloasma Pictures (Dark Skin Pigmentation on Face)

Dr. Chris — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:40:09 +0000

What is melasma? Melasma, also known as chloasma, is a the patches of brown to black pigmentation that occurs on the sun-exposed areas of the face. It is a very common condition in women and is more frequently associated with hormonal changes. However, it also occurs in men although rarely. Melasma is known by several names in different languages but is commonly referred to as hormone / pregnancy / menopause pigmentation. In the past it used to be referred to as the veil or mask of pregnancy. The term chloasma is considered to be outdated as chloas– was derived from the Greek word for green, whereas melas– refers to the color black. Who develops melasma? Epidemiology Melasma occurs almost exclusively in women with only 5% to 10% of melasma cases occurring in men. It can affect any race group but is more common in darker-skinned individuals with a more light brown skin. The age groups that more likely to be affected varies but it is more commonly seen in women in their reproductive years and menopause and typically in the 30s to 40s. Women who live in areas with intense sun exposure are also more likely to be affected. How [...]

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Patchy Hair Loss (Alopecia Areata) Types, Causes and Pictures

Dr. Chris — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 22:08:38 +0000

What is alopecia areata? Alopecia areata is a patchy hair loss that is usually of sudden onset and can arise on any hairy part of the body. It is a non-scarring type of hair loss with no obvious skin disease or lesion or other underlying systemic disturbance. Most cases involve the scalp or beard and rarely it can all of the body where it is known as alopecia universalis. Complete loss of scalp hair is known as alopecia totalis, or more specifically as alopecia capitis totalis. Alopecia areata must be differentiated from the two most common types of hair loss – androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium – where hair loss is generally diffuse. With androgenetic alopecia, the hair loss typically follows a pattern of a receding hairline and/or loss at the crown which is described as male-pattern or female-pattern hair loss. In telogen effluvium, the hair is shed gradually over a period of time and gives the appearance of thinning hair without any complete balding. Alopecia areata presents as complete hair loss in patches that can expand or coalesce to form patterns similar to androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium. Why does alopecia areata occur? The exact cause of alopecia areata [...]

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Androgenetic Alopecia (Male-Pattern and Female-Pattern Balding)

Dr. Chris — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:57:11 +0000

The average human scalp loses about 100 strands of hair per day. This hair loss is normal and represents a very small potion of the strands present on the scalp. Sometimes hair loss becomes excessive and may affect the entire head (diffuse hair loss) or patches (focal hair loss). There are several different types and patterns of hair loss which is collectively known as alopecia or commonly as balding. The loss may be partial or complete, either temporary or permanent, and can extend to areas beyond the scalp. The most common cause of balding is androgenetic alopecia which affects both men and women. It affects almost half of all men and may be just as prevalent among women over the age of 40 years old. Typically the first evidence of hair loss may be present from as early as the 30s and just continue, often gradually, over years and decades. What is androgenetic alopecia? Picture from Wikimedia Commons Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) or androgenic alopecia is a hereditary pattern of hair loss associated with the action of the male hormones (androgens). It is commonly known as pattern baldness or more specifically as male-pattern hair loss or female-pattern hair loss depending on [...]

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Shedding Hair Loss (Telogen Effluvium) Types and Causes

Dr. Chris — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 22:54:10 +0000

The hair follicles go through different phases of growth. At any one time, most of the follicles are in the active growth phase known as the anagen phase. Majority of the remaining follicles are in a resting phase known as telogen, where there is no growth but rather preparation for future growth or shedding. A small portion of the follicles is in a transition between anagen and telogen phases known as catagen. On any given day, about 100 strands of hair are shed from the scalp (exogen) but with over 100,000 follicle on the scalp, this loss is usually not significant or noticeable. Since different follicles are in different growth phases at any one time, it ensures that not all the strands of hair are growing, resting or falling at the same time. Hair loss or balding occurs for various reasons ranging from hormonal influences, to genetic predisposition or even mechanical and chemical trauma to the follicles. The term alopecia is used to describe partial or complete loss of hair on any site of the body and there are various different types of alopecia. One of these types is telogen effluvium and is the second most common type of hair [...]

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Red Cheeks, Malar Rash and Flushing of the Cheek (Redness)

Dr. Chris — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 20:20:23 +0000

The skin is laden with a rich network of blood vessels that contributes to the complexion particularly in lighter skinned individuals. Vasodilation causes redness of the skin whereas vasoconstriction results in a more pale hue. The face is prone to a phenomenon known as blushing where certain stimuli, particularly emotions, may cause a sudden and excessive reddening of the face including the ears. This is often seen with embarrassment and is more prominent in a person who is emotionally sensitive and is due to sudden vasodilations of superficial vessels on the skin of the face. Redness of the cheeks specifically may not be an uncommon presentation and is more likely to be evident in paler skin types, particularly in women. It is often seen as an aesthetically pleasing appearance and women the world over use cosmetics to achieve this effect. However, at times this cheek redness may be extremely prominent and associated with certain skin, circulatory and even systemic diseases. What is Malar Flushing and Malar Rash? Redness of the cheeks is known as malar flushing. Malar referring to the cheeks and flushing arising with excessive redness due to dilation of the superficial blood vessels. It is important to differentiate [...]

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Tinea Faciei (Fungal Skin Infection of the Face)

Dr. Chris — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:40:08 +0000

Skin fungi are tiny microorganisms that infect the outer surface of human skin. There are two main types of skin fungi – dermatophytes and yeasts. Most fungal infections of the skin are due to dermatophytes and are referred to as tinea. It is termed according to the location on the body where the fungal infection of the skin occurs. The more common types of skin fungal infections are the jock itch (tinea cruris) and athlete’s foot (tinea pedis). Other locations that may also be affected include the scalp (tinea capitis), face (tinea faciei), mustache and bearded area (tinea barbae), body (tinea corporis) and a type of yeast infection that almost only targets the neck, back, shoulders and chest (tinea versicolor). All of these skin fungal infections are caused by dermatophytes, except for tinea versicolor which is an yeast infection and incorrectly term as tinea. What is tinea faciei? Tinea faciei is a fungal infection of the skin on the face. It is a dermatophyte infection, hence the term tinea. Generally tinea faciei does not include the bearded area of the face as this is considered separately under tinea barbae. However, in cases where a fungal infection affect both the bearded [...]

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Tinea Capitis (Scalp Ringworm, Hair Fungal Infection) Pictures

Dr. Chris — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:30:47 +0000

Fungal infections of the skin are common conditions that mainly affect the feet (athlete’s foot) and groin (jock itch). This occurs in both adults and children. Most of these fungal infections are caused by a type of skin fungus known as dermatophytes. These infection are referred to as tinea. Sometimes these infections are caused by yeasts in which case it is known as pityriasis or candidiasis, depending on the type of yeast that causes the infection. Yeasts are a different type of skin fungus from dermatophytes but cause a similar type of skin infection. What is tinea capitis? Tinea capitis is a superficial fungal infection of the scalp skin and hair that may also affect the eyebrows and eyelashes. It is caused by dermatophyte fungi. Commonly tinea capitis is known as scalp ringworm. The infection is commonly seen in children and sometimes infants as well but tinea capitis is rare in adults. Often there is hair loss at the affected area but in most cases this is temporary and will resolve with proper treatment of the infection. Tinea capitis is highly contagious and the fungi can be transmitted from person to person, and in some cases even from animal to [...]

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