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Some parts of the body are more prone to skin diseases than others. Environmental exposure, genetics, age, or wear and tear can play a part, although a key factor is skin composition varying throughout your body.
This can be the reason skin diseases develop in different places, from rare conditions, to dermatitis, or psoriasis. They can also appear in varying forms, depending on where they choose to erupt.
The 20 square feet or so of skin we all have fulfils different functions according to location, from environmental protection, to withstanding force. How areas react to external factors is dependent on their unique composition.
The Skin’s Structure
Differences between the fine, flexible skin on our cheek and the tough barrier on our heel are evident. Other areas vary more subtly, according to their structure, the cell types they are made of and the genes they arose from.
The layer we see, the epidermis, takes a bricks and mortar approach, with ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids acting as the mortar and keratinocytes as the bricks. The layout is not however consistent across our body.
Compositional variations in the structure of proteins, keratinocytes and other cells explain why your skin’s appearance changes in different places. An outcome of evolution, to help ensure a range of purposes are met.
Keratinocytes also create a protective function in layers of our skin below the external barrier. They secrete immune attracting and anti-inflammatory molecules, in case any unwanted organisms break through.
This understanding of our skin’s structure is relatively recent and helpful, adding to dermatologists ability to offer targeted support.
Building The Future
Along with their deeper role, keratinocytes in the skin’s outer layer can create proinflammatory molecules. These are believed to be regulated by another molecule called PCSK9, where the molecular interaction plays a role in psoriasis.
Increased knowledge of how other immune mediators are secreted in layers of our skin helps with other conditions. Knowing why skin diseases vary at different locations can bring improved treatment, or diagnosis.
Researchers studying the skin’s structure have found that analysing lipids which stick to a piece of tape applied to the skin helps to identify skin diseases. A likely route to new diagnostic tests for common conditions.
Greater understanding of how skin cells interact, with themselves and with our immune system will continue to move us forward. In identifying conditions we have and developing ever better outcomes for patients.
Improving Treatment
Appreciating why different skin diseases are found at different body sites is valuable, for medical needs, even for formulating skin care products.
We have focused on the levels at which those are normally applied, areas which tend to experience high disease prevalence. Knowledge of lower levels is also improving, including the way molecules interact, or can reach an imbalanced state.
Identifying the way body location and skin structure influence disease susceptibility is improving medical dermatology. For our clinic and others, increasing the way we can help patients to return to normality.
Your skin may appear to just be there but is a variable, active organ. One that deserves understanding and the care this can bring.