Skin

The skin is a multilayered flat organ. The function of the skin is multiple and necessary for the normal functioning of the organism. The skin has the following functions:

• Barrier function - protection of the organism from negative environmental influences - (mechanical protection, anti-infective protection, thermal protection, protection against excessive water loss, penetration of various chemicals, protection from the harmful effects of sunlight - UV radiation).
• Participates in thermoregulation
• Immune activity – participates in the non-specific defense of the organism. Through it, the organism gets acquainted with the external environment and creates an appropriate immune response.
• Sensory function (through the numerous nerve endings and the Pacinian corpuscles, a connection is established between the external environment and the organism).
• Secretory function (sweat and fat).
• Synthesis of vitamin D under the influence of ultraviolet rays from the sun. Skin structure

Although your baby's skin looks like yours, it is still functionally immature. That's why your baby's skin is especially sensitive to environmental influences. The skin is thinner, which facilitates the loss of water, and all this contributes to easier penetration of various harmful substances. The glands have not reached full activity, so the water-based coating layer is not fully developed, which makes the baby's skin more susceptible to infections, which can easily damage the skin. Let's not forget that the large surface area of the skin and the reduced ability to sweat make babies thermostable, so they can easily overheat or cool down. Children's skin gradually matures and at the age of 12 reaches maturity as adults, in terms of morphological and physiological characteristics.

Today, it is known that the barrier function of the skin is a prerequisite for healthy and normal skin. By maintaining a normal barrier function, other skin functions are provided to ensure health. The elasticity and softness of the skin, which are a prerequisite for normal barrier function, are due to the ability of the stratum corneum to bind water. This is made possible by the normal presence of fat in the intercellular matrix, the normal secretion of lipids by the sebaceous glands, and the presence of normal moisturizing factors (amino acids). The epidermis is a metabolically active environment in which certain substances are synthesized - lipids, proteolysis, activation of cytokines, acidification, adapted to the influences of the external environment. The skin acts as a biosensor on both external and internal influences from the body itself.

o The natural skin layer consisting of fat, water, sweat and keratinocytes is the first barrier to the penetration of microorganisms.

o Acidic pH does not allow bacteria to grow.

o Leukocytes found in the skin to trap and destroy bacteria that penetrate the epidermis.

o The epidermis also contains special dendritic cells - Langerhans cells scattered among keratinocytes. They are able to capture foreign substances that penetrate the epidermis to transfer them to lymphocytes that neutralize them. During long-term exposure to the same foreign substances, lipocytes increase the level of defense over time and create antibodies against foreign substances. This can lead to unwanted consequences, ie an allergic reaction.

o Normal ecosystem of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi). It is believed that there are an average of 50 million microorganisms on every 6.5 cm2 of skin, but their concentration certainly changes depending on the position. Microorganisms control each other and form a part of healthy skin, and at the same time they do not allow the "immigration" of pathogenic bacteria. Proper skin hygiene is very important for several reasons. On the one hand, dirty skin can promote the development of pathogenic bacteria. But on the other hand, excessive washing and removal of normal bacteria can also facilitate the penetration of pathogenic bacteria that can damage the skin.