Nurses need to understand the skin and its functions to identify and manage skin problems. This article, the first in a two-part series, looks at the skin’s structure and key functions. This article comes with a self-assessment enabling you to test your knowledge after reading… Abstract Citation: Lawton S (2019) Skin 1: the structure and functions of the skin. Nursing Times [online]; 115, 12, 30-33. Author: Sandra Lawton, Queenâs Nurse and nurse consultant and clinical lead dermatology, The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust. Human Anatomy Image Source© 2014 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. The skin protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate body temperature, and permits the sensations of touch, heat, and cold. Skin has three layers:
The skin’s color is created by special cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin. Melanocytes are located in the epidermis. Skin Conditions
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