The skin consists of two layers which differ in structure and in origin: the cuticle, also known as scarf-skin, epidermis, or epithelium; and the true skin, also known is cutis Vera, corium, or dermis. The cuticle varies, from a thickness of 0.1 mm to 1 mm.
The true skin is the fibrous layer which forms the chief part of the, body covering. It varies in thickness from 0.5 mm to 3 mm, being coarser on the, back than in the front of the body, and thicker in men than in women. The skin contains two types of, glands: sebaceous glands, which secrete a fatty substance; and sweat glands, which secrete a clear watery liquid.
The main function of the skin is a protective one: it covers the underlying muscles by both protecting them from injury, specially by virtue of the layer of fat immediately beneath the skin, and warding off extremes of temperature. The cuticle forms a highly impenetrable surface, its horny character and elasticity being well calculated to resist wounds, while the sebaceous matter with which it is provided, renders it almost waterproof. Thus, poisons and drugs are not absorbed in any appreciable amount through the unbroken skin, unless combined with some fatty material, as in ointments. The other functions of the skin are secretion, heat regulation, and respiration (particularly in lower animals).
Skin disorders fall into four categories : - Disorders of the secreting apparatus,
- Disorders relating to growths on the skin,
- Inflammatory infections,
- Nervous and parasitic infections.
We shall deal with them in the order of their seriousness.
Leprosy (Kushta Roga)
Leprosy is a chronic disease which particularly affects the mucous membranes of the skin and nerves.The disease is mainly prevalent in Africa, the Indian sub-continent, the Far East, and Central and South America.
Causes and Symptoms:
According to modern medicine the causative organism of leprosy is Mycobacterium leprae, discovered in 1872.
There are two distinct types of leprosy: - Tuberculoid
- Lepromatous.
The differentiation is important since the former runs a relatively benign course and is often self-healing, where the latter is a steadily progressive form of the disease. The distinction cannot, however, be always made because mixed symptoms are usually found. The symptoms involve the skin as well as the nervous system. The skin manifestations range from areas of whitening of the skin to massive nodules, such as art, so often visible on the bodies of lepers.
The nerve involvement may be that of pain in certain centres or, in serious cases, total loss of feeling in certain parts of the body. The eyes may be affected, leading to total blindness, and ulcers may occur in the mouth and the larynx. There are tragic cases of deformity when the fingers fall off at the joints, leaving only the palms over which the entire skin starts rotting. Aggravation of all the three doshas of the body, according to Ayurveda, is the causative factor in leprosy.
COMMON DISEASES – LIST OF ARTICLES
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