Folliculitis | Health | Patient Folliculitis 125 Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles in the skin. It is a common problem that is not usually serious. Tiny pus-filled spots (pustules) develop at the base of a hair, often in crops. Mild cases often resolve without treatment. Sometimes, antibiotic creams or tablets are needed. In recurrent cases, antiseptic skin washes can be used. What is folliculitis? Folliculitis means an inflammation or infection of the hair follicles of the skin. Most of the skin is covered with tiny hairs which grow out of hair follicles. In folliculitis, many hair follicles in one area of the skin are affected. The affected hair follicles swell into small pus-filled pimples. Each individual pimple looks like a small, rounded, yellow-red spot. Why does folliculitis occur? Most cases of folliculitis are due to an infection with a germ (bacterium) called Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). This bacterium is carried harmlessly in the noses of many people, without causing any problems.

Occasionally, other germs (bacteria) are the cause of folliculitis. Folliculitis usually occurs at sites where hair follicles are damaged by friction or shaving, or where there is blockage of the follicle. Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) due to overactivity of the sweat glands can be another cause. Sometimes, using a steroid cream on the face can trigger a bout of folliculitis. The most common site affected is the beard area of men. Other common sites for folliculitis are the arms, legs, armpits and buttocks. Types of folliculitis Folliculitis can occur anywhere on hair-bearing skin. (It could not, for example, occur on the palms of the hands where there is no hair.) There are a few specific types of folliculitis that deserve a mention: Sycosis barbae - this is the medical name for a long-term (chronic) folliculitis in the beard area of the face in men. It often affects the upper lip and it can be difficult to treat. The skin is painful and crusted, with burning and itching on shaving. Numerous pustules develop in the hair follicles. Some men grow a beard to solve the problem.

Hot tub folliculitis - as the name suggests, this tends to affect people who use hot tubs a lot. The hot water encourages germs (bacteria) called Pseudomonas spp. to grow (particularly if there is not enough chlorine in the water to keep it clean). Bathing in this 'soup' of bacteria can increase your risk of folliculitis. This type of folliculitis is generally harmless and is prevented by proper maintenance of hot tubs. Showering after using the hot tub does not seem to reduce the chance of folliculitis. Gram-negative folliculitis - this is a type of folliculitis that may occur after acne has been treated with long-term antibiotics. Different bacteria are involved (not staphylococci). Gram-negative refers to a type of stain that is used in a laboratory to identify different types of bacteria. Pseudo-folliculitis - this is not really a true folliculitis. It does look similar, as little lumps form at the bases of hairs. These lumps do not contain pus. They are actually due to ingrowing hairs. Sometimes this problem causes scarring. Pseudo-folliculitis is more common in people with curly or Afro-Caribbean hair.

Ingrowing/ingrown hairs As mentioned above, these can cause a condition that looks like folliculitis. They are hairs that have curled around and grown back into the skin. Anyone can have ingrowing hairs (also called ingrown hairs), but they are more common in people who have very curly or coarse hair. Curly hair is more likely to bend back and re-enter the skin, especially after it's been shaved or cut. Ingrowing hairs may also be caused by dead skin cells blocking the hair growing as normal. Ingrowing hairs often irritate the skin and make a raised, red bump (or group of bumps) that looks like a little pimple. Sometimes the bump(s) can be painful. In men, ingrowing hairs often pop up as a bunch of little bumps on the chin, cheeks, or neck after they've shaved. In women they often occur on the legs or bikini area. Often an ingrowing hair will go away on its own. If it doesn't go away, an ingrowing hair can become infected, make the skin dark, or leave a scar. This is more likely if you've been scratching or picking the hair.

Folliculitis and other skin infections Furuncles and carbuncles are the medical names for what you would call a boil . Both are skin infections caused by germs (bacteria) - usually S. aureus. A furuncle is a skin infection that involves the hair follicle and surrounding skin. Clusters of furuncles can join together under the surface of the skin, forming a carbuncle. A carbuncle means the infection has spread more deeply in the skin and scarring is more likely. Carbuncles and furuncles are generally much bigger and more painful than the tiny pustules you get in folliculitis. They may need to be cut into (incised) and drained (lanced) to let the pus out. Sometimes acne can look similar to folliculitis too. The main difference is that in acne, the hair follicles become plugged with oils (from glands in the skin) and dead skin cells. There may also be an overgrowth of certain bacteria that can live in hair follicles. Read more blog posts What is the treatment for folliculitis? General measures involve avoiding things that aggravate the condition. It is important to shave in the direction of hair growth.

Sometimes it is worth taking a break from shaving for a few days, to let the folliculitis settle down by itself. Tight clothing over the affected area, particularly if it makes you sweat, will not help either. Keeping cool and keeping folliculitis exposed to the fresh air will also help. If you have folliculitis you should not share towels, flannels or razors. Mild cases Most cases or folliculitis are mild and do not need any treatment. It often clears without any treatment within 7-10 days. It may be helpful to use a moisturiser (emollient) which contains an antibacterial agent - for example, Dermol® cream or lotion or Emulsiderm®. This will improve the condition of the skin and soothe it. It may help the folliculitis to clear more quickly and reduce the risk of it becoming worse. You can use one of these emollients as a soap substitute until the folliculitis has cleared. Specific preparations for the bath or shower are available - for example, Dermol® 200 Shower Emollient, Dermol 600® Bath Emollient and Oilatum® Plus bath additive.

If simple measures over a few days do not allow the folliculitis to improve, you should probably see your GP for further advice and treatment. Localised folliculitis For localised areas of folliculitis, an antibiotic cream may be useful. Fusidic acid (Fucidin® cream) is a suitable antibiotic cream that can be applied 3-4 times per day to affected areas. More severe cases If the folliculitis is more severe or widespread then a course of antibiotic tablets may be needed. More related content Recurrent or long-term (chronic) folliculitis Recurrent folliculitis occurs when the infection keeps coming back, although it disappears with treatment. The gaps between episodes may get shorter and, eventually, chronic folliculitis is the result. In these cases, your GP may take a sample (swab) from the skin where the folliculitis is. This swab can show what germs (bacteria) are responsible for the infection. If the swab confirms S. aureus, it is a good idea to take some more swabs, usually from the nose, to see if you are a carrier of this bacterium.

If you do carry staphylococci in the nose and you get recurrent folliculitis (or if you have chronic folliculitis), this is likely to be the reason behind it. Treatment is to destroy (eradicate) the staphylococci and prevent further folliculitis. This will usually involve three forms of treatment to be used at the same time. Firstly, a course of antibiotic tablets. Secondly, a course of an antibiotic nasal cream. Because the staphylococci may also be on other parts of the body, not just where the folliculitis is, it is also advisable to use an antiseptic skin wash or shower gel. Products containing chlorhexidine (for example, Hibiscrub® 4% solution or Hydrex® 4% surgical scrub) or Ster-Zac Bath Concentrate®) are suitable. You should also launder clothing, bed linens and towels on a hot wash. This will prevent you getting re-infection and also reduce the risk of passing the infection to others.

Finally, you will need to have repeat swabs to confirm that you are clear of the bacteria - three clear swabs over a three-week period will confirm the staphylococcal infection has been eradicated. Are there any complications of folliculitis? Usually, folliculitis is a mild, non-serious problem that does not lead to complications. In fact, often it is self-limiting which means that it gets better on its own, without treatment. Sometimes people develop problems with recurrent or long-term (chronic) folliculitis (see above), which could be seen as a complication. Uncommonly, infection in the hair follicle can spread deeper or to surrounding tissues, leading to boils (furuncles or carbuncles - see above). A generalised skin infection called cellulitis can occur. This can usually be treated with a course of antibiotic tablets. Occasionally, cellulitis can be more serious and spread. This may need antibiotics given directly into a vein in hospital but this would be very rare to have happened because of folliculitis. When people have had carbuncles or more extensive infections, scarring of the skin can be the result. Can folliculitis be prevented?

Keeping your skin clean, dry and free from abrasions or irritations can help to prevent folliculitis. Certain people are more prone to infections, such as people with diabetes. If you have a medical problem that makes you more likely to get infections, these precautions may be more important. Using antiseptic washes routinely is not generally recommended, as they can make the skin sore and dry. Keeping the skin moisturised can help protect it from damage. Take care when shaving (especially if you wet shave), using a shaving gel, foam or soap to lubricate the blades across the skin and prevent nicks and cuts. Most cases of folliculitis are not contagious but if you have been identified as carrying the S.aureus germ, this infection can occasionally be transferred to other people. This risk can be minimised by normal hygiene measures and laundering clothing, bed linens and towels on a hot wash. Do not share razors. You should also avoid sharing hot tubs and Jacuzzis™ until the infection has been treated. Ingrown hair Causes - Mayo Clinic By Mayo Clinic Staff Hair structure and direction of growth play a role in ingrown hairs.

A curved hair follicle, which produces tightly curled hair, is believed to encourage the hair to re-enter the skin once the hair is cut and starts to grow back. Shaving creates sharp edges in this type of hair, especially if the hair is dry when shaved. You might also get an ingrown hair if you: Pull your skin taut during shaving — which allows the cut hair to draw back into the skin and re-enter the skin without first growing out Tweeze — which also can leave a hair fragment under the skin surface When a hair penetrates your skin, your skin reacts as it would to a foreign body — it becomes inflamed. Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 32nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders; 2011. Accessed Jan. 27, 2015. Pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Merck Manual Professional Edition. Accessed Dec. 5, 2014. Goldstein BG, et al. Pseudofolliculitis barbae. Accessed Jan. 27, 2015. Alexis A, et al.

Folliculitis keloidalis nuchae and pseudofolliculitis barbae: Are prevention and effective treatment within reach? Dermatologic Clinics. 2014;32:183. Products and Services Why do humans have body hair? | HowStuffWorks Why do humans have body hair? Shannon Fagan/ Getty Images Grooming your body hair can seem like cutting the grass in the summertime. You devote an afternoon to the chore, and the next thing you know, the grass has shot up and you're hauling the lawn mower outside again. When landscaping your body, there are eyebrows to tweeze, mustaches to trim and coiffures to condition daily. The average man spends more than a month out of his lifetime shaving his beard [source: The Economist ]. Women hunch over their legs with razor in hand for hundreds of hours to meticulously strip away of thousands of unwanted hairs. While the hair we see on the outside of our bodies may appear to be actively growing, the real action takes place below the surface of our skin, or epidermis. Cells inside of our hair follicles divide and multiply, and as space fills up inside of the follicle, it pushes older cells out.

After those older cells harden and exit the follicle, they form the hair shaft. The shaft is mostly comprised of dead tissue and a protein called keratin. Related Articles Hair Loss But human body hair doesn't grow indefinitely -- if that were the case, you'd probably look a lot more like Cousin Itt from "The Addams Family." Instead, individual hairs go through active and resting phases. The process of cellular division that increases the length of the hair shaft is the active, or anagen, phase. The anagen phase continues for a period depending on the type of body hair, then slows down for the resting, or telogen, phase. Since your hair is made up of dead matter, it falls off during the telogen phase. These varying durations of growth explain why the hair on your head grows longer than your arm hair. Your body hair's anagen phase usually lasts only a few months, while your scalp's phase lasts a few years. Differences in growth phases, hair follicle size and shaft density also define the different types ­of human body hair. In the womb, fetuses are covered in tiny hairs called lanugo.

Shortly after birth, babies grow vellus, or fine, unpigmented hairs, across the body. When puberty hits, vellus hairs give way to coarser terminal hairs in places such as the underarms and genitals. The longer, thicker hairs on your scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes are also terminal. Tally those body hair categories on the average person, and it adds up to around 5 million individual hairs. Wouldn't life be simpler if you were just bare everywhere? 1 Ingrown Hair Symptoms, Treatment, Causes - Are there any home remedies for an ingrown hair? - MedicineNet Medical Author: Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD Dr. Cole is board certified in dermatology. He obtained his BA degree in bacteriology, his MA degree in microbiology, and his MD at the University of California, Los Angeles. He trained in dermatology at the University of Oregon, where he completed his residency. Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame.

There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. Are there any home remedies for an ingrown hair? Share Your Story Although no cure exists, it is possible to decrease the occurrence of ingrown hairs. The easiest way to do this is through proper hair and skin hygiene. Hydrate and soften both the skin and the hair before shaving. This can result in a duller, rounded tip to the hair, which decreases the likelihood for hairs to reenter the skin. Use a moistened washcloth, a wet sponge, or a soft-bristled toothbrush with a mild soap to wash the beard or hair for several minutes via a circular motion to help dislodge stubborn tips. Some natural mild exfoliators, such as salt and sugar , can be applied to treat the redness or irritation that comes with the ingrown hair. Do not shave against the direction or grain of the hair growth. Avoid shaving too closely to the skin.

When using electric razors, some shaving techniques may help prevent ingrown hair. Keep the head of the electric razor slightly off the surface of the skin and shave in a slow, circular motion. Pressing the razor too close to the skin or pulling the skin taut can result in too close of a shave. Leave very short 1 mm-2 mm stubble with shaving to help reduce the tendency of shaving too closely. These shaving techniques can avoid creating a sharp tip when shaving and prevent hair from reentering the skin by leaving slightly longer stubble. Another way to prevent ingrown hairs is by avoiding shaving and allowing hair to grow naturally. Do ingrown hairs affect the entire body? Ingrown hairs most characteristically involve areas that are shaved, like the beard, bikini area, and legs. Other common locations of ingrown hairs include the face, neck, thighs, and buttocks. Although possible, it is rare to have ingrown hairs all over the body. Ingrown hairs do not affect the mouth, palms, vagina, or soles of the feet , as there are no hair follicles in these locations.

Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 6/23/2016 Ingrown Hair: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, Infections Ingrown Hair Ingrown Hair Prevention Strange bumps have sprung up on your face. They're not exactly pimples. They're not hives , either. Could they be ingrown hairs ? Ingrown hairs are hairs that have curled around and grown back into your skin instead of rising up from it. Sometimes, dead skin can clog up a hair follicle. That forces the hair inside it to grow sideways under the skin, rather than upward and outward. Sometimes, cutting naturally curly hair too closely will result in the sharpened end of the hair piercing the skin, causing an ingrown hair. Ingrown hairs aren't serious. But they can be irritating and embarrassing. What Does an Ingrown Hair Look Like? An ingrown hair irritates the skin. It produces a raised, red bump (or group of bumps) that looks like a little pimple. Sometimes an ingrown hair can form a painful, boil-like sore. Ingrown hairs can be itchy and uncomfortable, especially if you've got a lot of them. You may notice pus inside the bumps.

Or you may see the hair that's causing the problem. In men, ingrown hairs often pop up as a bunch of little bumps on the chin, cheeks, or neck after shaving. In women, ingrown hairs are common on the legs, as well as in the pubic area and armpits. You can also get ingrown hairs on your buttocks. Ingrown Hair Causes Anyone can get an ingrown hair. But the problem is more common in people who have very curly or coarse hair. Curly hair is more likely to bend back and re-enter the skin, especially after it's been shaved or cut. Also, people with high levels of certain sex hormones can have excessive hair growth, which makes it more likely to get ingrown hairs, especially after shaving. Many African-Americans, Latinos, and people with thick or curly hair develop a type of ingrown hair called pseudofolliculitis. More commonly known as " razor bumps ," this collection of little bumps is common on the beard area after you've shaved, waxed, or tweezed to remove unwanted hair. The hair that grows back has a sharper edge, so it can more easily poke back through the skin and get trapped under the surface.

Continued Ingrown Hair Treatment Often, an ingrown hair will go away on its own. If it doesn't go away, an ingrown hair can become infected, darken the skin, or leave behind a scar, especially if you've been scratching or picking at it. If an ingrown hair is bothering you or has become infected, your doctor can make a small cut in your skin with a sterile needle or scalpel to release it. Your doctor may also prescribe medicine such as: Steroid medicine that you rub on your skin to bring down the swelling and irritation Retinoids (Retin A) to remove dead skin cells and reduce the skin pigment changes that can occur from ingrown hairs Antibiotic that you take by mouth or rub onto your skin to treat an ingrown hair infection There isn't any real treatment for ingrown hair other than to grow out your beard. Longer hairs aren't as sharp at the ends, so they won't be as likely to curl around and break through the skin. But for men who prefer a clean shave -- or women -- avoiding the razor may not be an option.

Ingrown Hair Prevention To prevent ingrown hairs, try these tips every time you shave: Every day, rub your face in a circular motion using a wet washcloth or an exfoliating scrub to tease out any stubborn ingrown hairs. Shave with a sharp, single-bladed razor. Wet your skin with warm water before shaving and apply a lubricating gel. Shave in the same direction your hair is growing. Use as few strokes of the razor as possible. That lessens the chance of a hair slipping back into your skin. Rinse the blade with water after every stroke . Don't shave too closely to your skin. Leave a little bit of stubble if you can. If you're using an electric razor, hold it slightly above the surface of your skin. Apply a cool washcloth to your skin after you shave to reduce irritation. You can also try other hair removal methods that are less likely to produce ingrown hairs. Those methods include depilatory creams that dissolve the hair, and a laser or electric current (electrolysis) to permanently remove the hair follicle. WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed by Stephanie S.

Gardner, MD on January 24, 2015 Sources Hair (Human Anatomy): Image, Parts, Follicle, Growth, Problems, and More Human Anatomy Next Hair is simple in structure, but has important functions in social functioning. Hair is made of a tough protein called keratin. A hair follicle anchors each hair into the skin. The hair bulb forms the base of the hair follicle. In the hair bulb, living cells divide and grow to build the hair shaft. Blood vessels nourish the cells in the hair bulb, and deliver hormones that modify hair growth and structure at different times of life. Hair growth occurs in cycles consisting of three phases: Anagen (growth phase): Most hair is growing at any given time. Each hair spends several years in this phase. Catagen (transitional phase): Over a few weeks, hair growth slows and the hair follicle shrinks. Telogen (resting phase): Over months, hair growth stops and the old hair detaches from the hair follicle. A new hair begins the growth phase, pushing the old hair out. Hair grows at different rates in different people; the average rate is around one-half inch per month.

Hair color is created by pigment cells producing melanin in the hair follicle. With aging, pigment cells die, and hair turns gray. Continued Hair Conditions Alopecia areata : Round patches of total hair loss, usually from the scalp. The cause of alopecia is unknown; the hair usually grows back. Male pattern baldness : The most common type of hair loss in men. Male pattern baldness usually includes either a receding hairline, hair loss at the crown, or both. Female pattern baldness : In women, hair loss usually includes uniform thinning across the scalp, with a preserved hairline. The crown may be affected, but hair loss rarely proceeds to baldness as in men. See a picture of female pattern baldness. Dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis): Ongoing mild inflammation of the scalp, resulting in scaly skin that may be itchy and flake off. Seborrheic dermatitis may also affect the ears and face. Tinea capitis ( ringworm ): A fungal infection of the scalp, creating round patches of hair loss. Although the patches can appear in a ring shape, no worm is involved in tinea capitis.

Trichotillomania : A mental disorder that includes the irresistible urge to pull out one's hair. The hair pulling results in patches of noticeable hair loss; its cause is unknown. Head lice : Tiny insects that live on the scalp and feed on blood. Preschool and elementary school-aged children and adults who live with children are most susceptible to catching head lice, which are only spread through close contact. Telogen effluvium : A month or two after a personal shock (such as surgery, childbirth, severe stress), hair can abruptly fall out in large patches. Typically, new hair starts regrowing right away. Postpartum alopecia- hair loss after delivering a baby- is a form of telogen effluvium and usually resolves without treatment. Folliculitis : Inflammation of hair follicles, usually due to an infection. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that frequently causes folliculitis. Acne is a form of folliculitis that is caused by inflammation. This inflammation can sometimes be worsened by the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes. Piedra (trichomycosis nodularis): Fungal infection of the hair shaft.

Hard nodules made of fungus cling to hair fibers, sometimes causing hair loss. Hirsutism : A condition in which women develop male-pattern hair (such as facial hair). An excess of testosterone due to a medical condition is usually responsible. Hair Tests Hair DNA testing : Hair follicles contain DNA; hair can be tested to establish paternity or as evidence in a crime investigation. Hair drug testing: Many street drugs (or their breakdown products in the body) are absorbed into the hair. A sample of hair can be tested for recent drug use. Hair analysis : Testing of hair for toxic exposures, such as lead or mercury poisoning. These tests are limited by inconsistency and difficulty interpreting their results. Continued Hair Treatments Minoxidil ( Rogaine ): A medicine applied to the scalp, which can help prevent hair loss in most people when used daily. Finasteride (Propecia): A medicine for men taken in pill form daily, which regrows some hair and prevents hair loss in most men who use it. Hair transplants : Surgery to remove skin and hair from the back of the scalp, and transplant groups of hair follicles to areas of thin hair.

Hair electrolysis : A very fine needle is inserted into a hair follicle, and electrical current is applied. The electricity destroys the follicle, preventing hair growth. Laser hair removal: A laser is aimed at the cells in the hair follicle, and the laser's high energy destroys cells there, preventing hair growth WebMD Image Collection Reviewed by Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD on November 15, 2014 Sources Skin, Hair, and Nails Skin, Hair, and Nails La piel, el cabello y las uñas About Skin, Hair and Nails Skin is our largest organ. If the skin of a typical 150-pound (68-kilogram) adult male were stretched out flat, it would cover about 2 square yards (1.7 square meters) and weigh about 9 pounds (4 kilograms). Our skin protects the network of muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and everything else inside our bodies. Our eyelids have the thinnest skin, the soles of our feet the thickest. Hair is actually a modified type of skin. Hair grows everywhere on the human body except the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and lips.

Hair grows more quickly in summer than winter, and more slowly at night than during the day. Like hair, nails are a type of modified skin. Nails protect the sensitive tips of fingers and toes. Human nails aren't necessary for living, but they do provide support for the tips of the fingers and toes, protect them from injury, and aid in picking up small objects. Without them, we'd have a hard time scratching an itch or untying a knot. Nails can be an indicator of a person's general health, and illness often affects their growth. continue Skin Basics Skin is essential in many ways. It forms a barrier that prevents harmful substances and microorganisms from entering the body. It protects body tissues against injury. It also controls the loss of life-sustaining fluids like blood and water, helps regulate body temperature through perspiration (sweating), and protects from the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays. Without the nerve cells in skin, people couldn't feel warmth, cold, or other sensations.

For instance, goosebumps form when the erector pili muscles contract to make hairs on the skin stand up straight when someone is cold, excited, or frightened — the blood vessels keep the body from losing heat by narrowing as much as possible and keeping the warm blood away from the skin's surface, offering insulation and protection. Every square inch of skin contains thousands of cells and hundreds of sweat glands, oil glands, nerve endings, and blood vessels. Skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue. The upper layer of our skin, the epidermis, is the tough, protective outer layer. It's about as thick as a sheet of paper over most parts of the body. The epidermis has four layers of cells that are constantly flaking off and being renewed. In these four layers are three special types of cells: Melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. All people have roughly the same number of melanocytes; the more melanin that is produced, the darker the skin. Exposure to sunlight increases the production of melanin, which is why people get suntanned or freckled.

Keratinocytes produce keratin, a type of protein that is a basic component of hair, skin, nails, and helps create an intact barrier. Langerhans cells help protect the body against infection. Because the cells in the epidermis are completely replaced about every 28 days, cuts and scrapes heal quickly. Below the epidermis is the next layer of our skin, the dermis, which is made up of blood vessels, nerve endings, and connective tissue. The dermis nourishes the epidermis. Two types of fibers in the dermis — collagen and elastin — help the skin stretch when we bend and reposition itself when we straighten up. Collagen is strong and hard to stretch, and elastin, as its name suggests, is elastic. In older people, some of the elastin-containing fibers degenerate, which is one reason why the skin looks wrinkled. The dermis also contains a person's sebaceous glands. These glands, which surround and empty into hair follicles and pores, produce the oil sebum that lubricates the skin and hair. Sebaceous glands are found mostly in the skin on the face, upper back, shoulders, and chest.

Most of the time, the sebaceous glands make the right amount of sebum. As a person's body begins to mature and develop during the teenage years, though, hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands to make more sebum. When pores become clogged by too much sebum and too many dead skin cells, this contributes to acne. Later in life, these glands produce less sebum, which contributes to dry skin as people age. The bottom layer of our skin, the subcutaneous tissue, is made up of connective tissue, sweat glands, blood vessels, and cells that store fat. This layer helps protect the body from blows and other injuries and helps it hold in body heat. There are two types of sweat glands: The eccrine glands are found everywhere, although they're mostly in the forehead, palms, and soles of the feet. By producing sweat, these glands help regulate body temperature, and waste products are excreted through them. The apocrine glands develop at puberty and are concentrated in the armpits and pubic region. The sweat from the apocrine glands is thicker than that produced by the eccrine glands.

Although this sweat doesn't smell, when it mixes with bacteria on the skin's surface, it can cause body odor. A normal, healthy adult secretes about 1 pint (about half a liter) of sweat daily, but this may be increased by physical activity, fever, or a hot environment. previous continue Hair Basics The hair on our heads isn't just there for looks. It keeps us warm by preserving heat. The hair in the nose, ears, and around the eyes protects these sensitive areas from dust and other small particles. Eyebrows and eyelashes protect eyes by decreasing the amount of light and particles that go into them. The fine hair that covers the body provides warmth and protects the skin. Hair also cushions the body against injury. Human hair consists of the hair shaft, which projects from the skin's surface, and the root, a soft thickened bulb at the base of the hair embedded in the skin. The root ends in the hair bulb, which sits in a sac-like pit in the skin called the follicle, from which the hair grows. At the bottom of the follicle is the papilla, where hair growth actually takes place. The papilla contains an artery that nourishes the root of the hair.

As cells multiply and produce keratin to harden the structure, they're pushed up the follicle and through the skin's surface as a shaft of hair. Each hair has three layers: the medulla at the center, which is soft; the cortex, which surrounds the medulla and is the main part of the hair; and the cuticle, the hard outer layer that protects the shaft. Hair grows by forming new cells at the base of the root. These cells multiply to form a rod of tissue in the skin. The rods of cells move upward through the skin as new cells form beneath them. As they move up, they're cut off from their supply of nourishment and start to form a hard protein called keratin in a process called keratinization. As this process occurs, the hair cells die. The dead cells and keratin form the shaft of the hair. Each hair grows about ¼ inch (about 6 millimeters) every month and keeps on growing for up to 6 years. The hair then falls out and another grows in its place. The length of a person's hair depends on the length of the growing phase of the follicle.

Follicles are active for 2 to 6 years; they rest for about 3 months after that. A person becomes bald if the scalp follicles become inactive and no longer produce new hair. Thick hair grows out of large follicles; narrow follicles produce thin hair. The color of a person's hair is determined by the amount and distribution of melanin in the cortex of each hair (the same melanin that's found in the epidermis). Hair also contains a yellow-red pigment; people who have blonde or red hair have only a small amount of melanin in their hair. Hair becomes gray when people age because pigment no longer forms. Nail Basics Nails grow out of deep folds in the skin of the fingers and toes. As epidermal cells below the nail root move up to the surface of the skin, they increase in number, and those closest to the nail root become flattened and pressed tightly together. Each cell is transformed into a thin plate; these plates are piled in layers to form the nail. As with hair, nails are formed by keratinization. When the nail cells accumulate, the nail is pushed forward. The skin below the nail is called the matrix.

The larger part of the nail, the nail plate, looks pink because of the network of tiny blood vessels in the underlying dermis. The whitish crescent-shaped area at the base of the nail is called the lunula. Fingernails grow about three or four times as quickly as toenails. Like hair, nails grow more rapidly in summer than in winter. If a nail is torn off, it will regrow if the matrix isn't severely injured. White spots on the nail are sometimes due to temporary changes in growth rate. Things That Can Affect Skin, Hair, and Nails Dermatitis The term dermatitis refers to any inflammation (swelling, itching, and redness) possibly associated with the skin. There are many types of dermatitis, including: Atopic dermatitis (eczema). It's a common, hereditary dermatitis that causes an itchy rash primarily on the face, trunk, arms, and legs. It commonly develops in infancy, but can also appear in early childhood. It may be associated with allergic diseases such as asthma and seasonal, environmental, and food allergies. Contact dermatitis. This occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritating substance or one that the person is allergic or sensitive to.

The best-known cause of contact dermatitis is poison ivy, but there are many others, including chemicals found in laundry detergent, cosmetics, and perfumes, and metals like nickel plating on jewelry, belt buckles, and the back of a snap. Seborrheic dermatitis. This oily rash, which appears on the scalp, face, chest, and back, is related to an overproduction of sebum from the sebaceous glands. This condition is common in infants and adolescents. Bacterial Skin Infections Impetigo . Impetigo is a bacterial infection that results in a honey-colored, crusty rash, often on the face near the mouth and nose. Cellulitis . Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue that typically occurs when bacteria are introduced through a puncture, bite, or other break in the skin. The area with cellulitis is usually warm, tender, and has some redness. Streptococcal and staphylococcal infections. These two kinds of bacteria are the main causes of cellulitis and impetigo.

Certain types of these bacteria are also responsible for distinctive rashes on the skin, including the rashes associated with scarlet fever and toxic shock syndrome . Fungal Infections of the Skin and Nails Candidal dermatitis. A warm, moist environment, such as that found in the folds of the skin in the diaper area of infants, is perfect for growth of the yeast Candida. Yeast infections of the skin in older children, teens, and adults are less common. Tinea infection (ringworm) . Ringworm, which isn't a worm at all, is a fungus infection that can affect the skin, nails, or scalp. Fungi called dermatophytes can infect the skin and related tissues of the body. The medical name for ringworm of the scalp is tinea capitis; ringworm of the body is called tinea corporis; and ringworm of the nails is called tinea unguium. With tinea corporis, the fungi can cause scaly, ring-like lesions anywhere on the body. Tinea pedis (athlete's foot). This infection of the feet is caused by the same types of fungi that cause ringworm. Athlete's foot is commonly found in adolescents and is more likely to occur during warm weather.

Other Skin Problems Parasitic infestations. Parasites (usually tiny insects or worms) can feed on or burrow into the skin, often resulting in an itchy rash. Scabies and lice are examples of parasitic infestations. Both are contagious and can be easily caught from other people. Viral infections. Many viruses cause characteristic rashes on the skin, including varicella, the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles; herpes simplex, which causes cold sores; human papillomavirus, the virus that causes warts ; and a host of others. Acne (acne vulgaris). Acne is most common in teens. Some degree of acne is seen in 85% of adolescents, and nearly all teens have the occasional pimple, blackhead, or whitehead. Skin cancer. Skin cancer is rare in children and teens, but good sun protection habits established during these years can help prevent skin cancers such as melanoma (a serious form of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body) later in life, especially among fair-skinned people who sunburn easily. Besides these diseases and conditions, the skin can be injured in a number of ways.

Minor scrapes, cuts, and bruises heal quickly on their own, but other injuries — severe cuts and burns, for example — require medical treatment. Disorders of the Scalp and Hair Tinea capitis, a type of ringworm, is a fungal infection that forms a scaly, ring-like lesion in the scalp. It's contagious and common among school-age children. Alopecia is an area of hair loss. Ringworm is a common cause of temporary alopecia in children. Alopecia can also be caused by tight braiding that pulls on the hair roots (called tension alopecia). Alopecia areata (when hair falls out in round or oval patches on the scalp) is a less common condition that can affect children and teens. Your Skin Your Skin Tu piel Quick! What's the body's biggest organ? You might be surprised to find out it's the skin, which you might not think of as an organ. No matter how you think of it, your skin is very important. It covers and protects everything inside your body. Without skin, people's muscles, bones, and organs would be hanging out all over the place. Skin holds everything together.

It also: protects our bodies helps keep our bodies at just the right temperature allows us to have the sense of touch Don't Miss Your Epidermis The skin is made up of three layers, each with its own important parts. The layer on the outside is called the epidermis (say: eh-pih-DUR-mis). The epidermis is the part of your skin you can see. Look down at your hands for a minute. Even though you can't see anything happening, your epidermis is hard at work. At the bottom of the epidermis, new skin cells are forming. When the cells are ready, they start moving toward the top of your epidermis. This trip takes about 2 weeks to a month. As newer cells continue to move up, older cells near the top die and rise to the surface of your skin. What you see on your hands (and everywhere else on your body) are really dead skin cells. continue Bye-Bye Skin Cells These old cells are tough and strong, just right for covering your body and protecting it. But they only stick around for a little while. Soon, they'll flake off.

Though you can't see it happening, every minute of the day we lose about 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells off the surface of our skin. So just in the time it took you to read this far, you've probably lost about 40,000 cells. That's almost 9 pounds (4 kilograms) of cells every year! But don't think your skin might wear out someday. Your epidermis is always making new skin cells that rise to the top to replace the old ones. Most of the cells in your epidermis (95%) work to make new skin cells. And what about the other 5%? They make a substance called melanin (say: MEL-uh-nun). Melanin gives skin its color. The darker your skin is, the more melanin you have. When you go out into the sun , these cells make extra melanin to protect you from getting burned by the sun's ultraviolet, or UV, rays. That's why your skin gets tan if you spend a lot of time in the sun. But even though melanin is mighty, it can't shield you all by itself.

You'll want to wear sunscreen and protective clothing, such as a hat, to prevent painful sunburns. Protecting your skin now also can help prevent skin cancer when you get older. The Dermis Is Under the Epidermis The next layer down is the dermis (say: DUR-mis). You can't see your dermis because it's hidden under your epidermis. The dermis contains nerve endings, blood vessels, oil glands, and sweat glands. It also contains collagen and elastin, which are tough and stretchy. The nerve endings in your dermis tell you how things feel when you touch them. They work with your brain and nervous system, so that your brain gets the message about what you're touching. Is it the soft fur of a cat or the rough surface of your skateboard? Sometimes what you feel is dangerous, so the nerve endings work with your muscles to keep you from getting hurt. If you touch something hot, the nerve endings in your dermis respond right away: "Ouch! That's hot!" The nerves quickly send this message to the brain or spinal cord, which then immediately commands the muscles to take your hand away. This all happens in a split second, without you ever thinking about it.

previous continue Dermis = Lots of Blood Vessels Your dermis is also full of tiny blood vessels. These keep your skin cells healthy by bringing them the oxygen and nutrients they need and by taking away waste. These blood vessels are hard to see in kids, but you might get a better look if you check out your grandparents' skin. As the dermis gets older, it gets thinner and easier to see through. The dermis is home to the oil glands, too. These are also called sebaceous (say: sih-BAY-shus) glands, and they are always producing sebum (say: SEE-bum). Sebum is your skin's own natural oil. It rises to the surface of your epidermis to keep your skin lubricated and protected. It also makes your skin waterproof — as long as sebum's on the scene, your skin won't absorb water and get soggy. You also have sweat glands on your epidermis. Even though you can't feel it, you actually sweat a tiny bit all the time. The sweat comes up through pores, tiny holes in the skin that allow it to escape. When the sebum meets the sweat, they form a protective film that's a bit sticky.

An easy way to see this film in action is to pick up a pin with your fingers. Then wash your hands well with soap and water and dry them off completely. Now try to pick up that pin again. It won't be so easy because your sticky layer is gone! Don't worry — it will be back soon, as your sebaceous and sweat glands create more sticky stuff. The Third Layer Is Subcutaneous Fat The third and bottom layer of the skin is called the subcutaneous (say: sub-kyoo-TAY-nee-us) layer. It is made mostly of fat and helps your body stay warm and absorb shocks, like if you bang into something or fall down. The subcutaneous layer also helps hold your skin to all the tissues underneath it. This layer is where you'll find the start of hair, too. Each hair on your body grows out of a tiny tube in the skin called a follicle (say: FAHL-ih-kul). Every follicle has its roots way down in the subcutaneous layer and continues up through the dermis. You have hair follicles all over your body, except on your lips, the palms of your hands, and the soles of your feet.

And you have more hair follicles in some places than in others — there are more than 100,000 follicles on your head alone! Your hair follicles rely on your sebaceous glands to bring on the shine. Connected to each follicle in the dermis layer is a tiny sebaceous gland that releases sebum onto the hair. This lightly coats the hair with oil, giving it some shine and a little waterproofing. previous continue Skin Can Warm and Cool You Your skin can help if you're feeling too hot or too cold. Your blood vessels, hair, and sweat glands cooperate to keep your body at just the right temperature. If you were to run around in the heat, you could get overheated. If you play outside when it's cold, your inner temperature could drop. Either way, your skin can help. Your body is pretty smart. It knows how to keep your temperature right around 98.6°F (37°C) to keep you and your cells healthy. Your skin can respond to messages sent out by your hypothalamus (say: hy-po-THAL-uh-mus), the brain's inner thermometer.

If you've been running around on a hot day, your blood vessels get the signal from the hypothalamus to release some of your body's heat. They do this by bringing warm blood closer to the surface of your skin. That's why you sometimes get a red face when you run around. To cool you down, sweat glands also swing into action by making lots of sweat to release body heat into the air. The hotter you are, the more sweat your glands make! Once the sweat hits the air, it evaporates (this means that it changes from a liquid to a vapor) off your skin, and you cool down. What about when you're ice-skating or sledding? When you're cold, your blood vessels keep your body from losing heat by narrowing as much as possible and keeping the warm blood away from the skin's surface. You might notice tiny bumps on your skin. Most kids call these goosebumps , but the fancy name for them is the pilomotor (say: PY-lo-mo-ter) reflex. The reflex makes special tiny muscles called the erector pili (say: ee-REK-tur pee-LEE) muscles pull on your hairs so they stand up very straight. Keep It Clean!

Unlike other organs (like your lungs, heart, and brain), your skin likes a good washing . When you wash your skin, use water and a mild soap. And don't forget to cover scrapes and cuts with gauze or a bandage. This keeps the dirt out and helps prevent infections. It's just one way to be kind to the skin you're in!

Question: What are the names given to the pits in the skin from which hairs grow out of?
Answer: Follicles