The integumentary system is a vital part of your body. It includes skin, hair, fingernails and toenails. They all work together to get rid of surface level wastes. The skin protects the body and also provides for the removal of dead cells and sweat, which contains waste products. Hair, fingernails and toenails are actually dead epidermal cells. As more cells die and need to be removed, the hair and nails grow. Where would we be without it?

Functions of the Integumentary System Protects against invasion by infectious organisms Protects the body's internal living tissues and organs Protects the body from dehydration Protects the body against abrupt changes in temperature Acts as a receptor for touch, pressure, pain, heat and cold Stores water, fat, and vitamin D. Helps dispose of waste materials

There are a few parts to the integumentary system. First you have the skin. The outer layer or epidermis is formed by an epithelium and is of ectodermal origin. The underlying thicker layer, the dermis, consists of connective tissue and develops from the mesoderm. Beneath the two layers we find a subcutaneous layer of loose connective tissue or hypodermis, which binds the skin to underlying structures. Hair, nails and sweat and sebaceous glands are of epithelial origin and collectively called the appendages of the skin. The dermises along with the appendages make up the integumentary system.

Maintaining your Integumentary System To keep your body and system healthy, you can do a few things: When you have a cut, scrape, or gash, make sure to take care of it properly, so you prevent infection. Wash your body with soap. This will help with skin appearance, and inflammatory and fungal diseases.

A common skin disease is Varicella, or Chicken Pox. This disease is caused by a virus called the herpes zoster virus. Chicken pox is a highly contagious, airborne virus. It affects children much more often than adults. General symptoms include fever, headache, anorexia, malaise, and lesions. The lesions appear as small, pink, raised spots, Almost like acne. Treatment includes keeping the lesions dry, and relieving the itching to prevent people from breaking the lesions open and spreading the virus.

Another common disease is Acne. It is a chronic inflammatory disease of the sebaceous (oil) glands and hair follicles. The scattered lesions caused by acne can be single or multiple bumps generally called nodules or papules. The lesions are associated primarily with the sebum- producing glands that surround hair follicles in skin that is visibly greasy. Lesions are typically distributed to the face, neck, chest, shoulders, back and upper arms.

Athlete's foot is a skin disease caused by a fungus, usually occurring between the toes. The fungus most commonly attacks the feet because shoes create a warm, dark, and humid environment which encourages fungus growth. The warmth and dampness of areas around swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms, are also breeding grounds for fungi. Daily washing of the feet with soap and water; drying carefully, especially between the toes; and changing shoes and hose regularly to decrease moisture, help prevent the fungus from infecting the feet.