Skin, also known as the epidermis, is the human body’s largest organ. Skin is what protects us from all the dangers lurking outside our body such as pathogens and bacteria. Our skin is also the home of our nerve endings which send the signals to the brain of touch, pressure, vibration, and the sensation of temperatures. Our cardiovascular system routes our blood vessels through the skin, carrying oxygen rich blood throughout our body.
Our skin has three layers. The top layer, the one we can see, is called the epidermis. This is the barrier that keeps infection out. This is why it is important to carefully monitor cuts and scrapes for signs of infection. The second layer is the dermis. The dermis is where our ability to feel touch and heat is seated. The hypodermis serves one purpose, to attach the skin to our bones and muscles.
Caring for the skin is important. We must protect ourselves from skin cancer caused from too much sun exposure. Yet we must also allow our bodies to absorb enough vitamin D from the sunlight every day. We must keep our skin clean, otherwise we leave ourselves open to infections and illness. When we cut ourselves, we must use man made barriers such as bandages to keep infections out.
Our skin tone is decided by the pigment in our skin. The more melanin in your skin, the darker your skin tone. When we spend too much time in the sun, our body cannot make melanin fast enough to protect us from the UV rays and our body burns. This is and the danger of skin cancer is why sun block is important. Protecting our skin is the first step to staying healthy.
