Your skin is the largest organ in your body. In fact, according to National Geographic, the average adult has 8 lbs. of skin, covering an area of approximately 22 square feet. This complex organ has many essential functions that protect you from harmful microbes and substances, keep your internal organs safe and keep tissues from evaporating. Your skin also has many complicated processes that protect your body from all kinds of disease, from diseases caused by hostile organisms to those caused by UV radiation.
Skin Structure
Your skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis, dermis and fat layer. The epidermis is the outermost layer, which is constantly shedding dead skin cells to be replaced with new cells. Your epidermis is relatively waterproof, and is thicker in areas requiring more protection--such as the soles of the feet. The next layer is the dermis, which contains nerve endings, hair follicles and sweat glands. According to Merck, the dermis is the layer that gives your skin strength and flexibility. The fat layer acts as protective padding and as an energy storage receptacle.
Protection from UV Radiation
Your skin helps protect you from the dangerous effects of UV radiation and the diseases linked to ultraviolet radiation exposure, such as skin cancer. The epidermis layer of your skin produces melanin, which is responsible for skin pigmentation. Melanin also filters UV radiation, helping to prevent severe damage to your skin and internal organs when you're out in the sun.
Protection from Bacteria and Viruses
One of the most important ways in which your skin protects you from disease is by preventing harmful bacteria and viruses from reaching your internal systems. The shedding of skin cells renews your skin and allows bacteria and viruses on the surface to slough off, as does the shedding of hair. In addition, your skin is covered with beneficial bacteria that make it difficult for harmful microbes to attach to your skin.
Wounds
When your protective layer of skin is damaged from a cut, your skin immediately responds to protect you from disease. Blood flows, expelling harmful microbes, and then begins clotting in the wound. The clotted blood forms a scab to protect the opening from invading bacteria and viruses, while the epidermis produces new skin cells to seal the opening. Without this process, your body would be easily invaded by infectious agents and microbes every time you pierced your skin.
Langerhans Cells
Langerhan cells were once believed to alert your body to the need for an immune response due to pathogens on the skin. However, Langerhan cells actually regulate immune reaction, preventing your skin from overreacting to less dangerous pathogens, according to the Dec. 20, 2005 ScienceDaily article, "Langerhans Cells Regulate Immune Reactions In The Skin." This helps prevent disease by keeping your skin free of irritating conditions such as psoriasis, which reduces abrasions and keeps your protective covering intact.
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