OS PO3 - Skin integrity Flashcards
What is trans-epidermal water loss?
Water that diffuses through the skin and evaporates.
How is the skin a mechanical barrier?
It blocks pathogens, so if the skin is damaged it provides an opening for pathogens.
How is the skin a biological barrier?
Has trillions of harmless bacteria that protect against pathogens.
How does the skin control fluid loss?
Via sweat glands (sudoriferous, eccrine and approcrine glands are sweat glands at different parts of the body.
These allow the body regulate its temperature through fluid loss.
What does sweat contain?
- Mainly water
- Salt
- Dermcidin (an anti microbial peptide that protects the skin from pathogens)
- Uric acid
How does the skin protect against UV rays?
UV activates the melanin in the dermis, and radiation oxidises melanin, absorbing its harmful rays.
Over exposure to UV can result in sunburn.
Why does skin loose elasticity with age?
Elastin is a protein that combines with microfibrils to form elastic fibres, allowing the skin to stretch and retract.
The protein collagen supports cell structure and oestrogen stimulates the production of oil to keep the skin supple, smooth and plump looking.
As we age, hormones change and collagen production decreases.
Why does our skin thin as we age?
Due to less collagen production, in particular the epidermis thins.
Skin is then more fragile and prone to damage.
Why do we regenerate slower as we age?
Our cell cycle slows to 60-90 days in a persons 50’s, slowing the healing process.
Collagen also decreases, which has an impact on wound healing.
Why do we loose fat as we age?
Subcutaneous fat decreases.
Why do we experience a reduction in the nutrients we absorb as we age?
Our body systems slow down.
The digestive system absorbs less nutrients because the capillaries have less muscle strength to coordinate vasodilation and vasoconstriction.
How does nicotine impact skin integrity?
Nicotine damages the capillaries, reducing the flow of oxygenated blood to the skin cells.
Nicotine also changes the structure of the skins fibroblasts, which contain collagen, causing the skin to age prematurely and slow healing.
How does alcohol affect skin integrity?
It is a diuretic, dehydrating the skin and damaging its composition.
It can worsen psoriasis and cause skin yellowing due to liver damage from over consumption.
What is a diuretic?
It causes water to be lost from the body.
How diet impact skin integrity?
A lack of fat and protein can damage the skin as the skin is made up of this.
How does pollution impact skin integrity?
Smoke and car exhaust contain complex chemical compounds, reducing the skins barrier effect, allowing chemicals to be absorbed and act as irritants.
How do blood thinners, anticoagulants and statins affect skin integrity?
Blood thinners diminish the dermis and cause you to bleed longer.
Anticoagulants make wounds hard to heal and it’s harder for blood to clot.
Statins affect the subcutaneous fat.
What is an irritant?
A substance that damages the outer layer of the skin.
What is an allergen?
A substance that cases the immune system to overreact.
What is contact dermatitis?
A non allergic reaction in contact with an irritant, causing. rash, blisters, itching and burning sensation.
This may appear red on light skin and darker, purple or grey on darker skin.
How do you treat contact dermatitis?
- Avoid the irritant
- Emollient
- For severe symptoms a topical corticosteroid or oral one if it’s affecting a larger area
What is a petechial rash?
Petechiae are tiny purple, red or brown spots on the skin (typically the arms, legs, stomach and buttock).
These are little spots of bleeding under the skin that won’t turn colour when pressed.
What causes a petechial rash?
- Medication like phenytoin and penicillin
- Infectious diseases like covid, rubella, strep and endocarditis
- Vitamin D deficiency
How do you treat a petechial rash?
Dependant on cause.
Home remedies include rest, fluids and a cold compress.
If it’s caused by a bacterial infection give them antibiotics.
Corticosteroids can reduce swelling in vessels.
Vitamin C and K supplements for deficiencies.
Cancer treatment if it’s caused by leukaemia.