🏥 Medical Encyclopedia

Dermatology

Layers of human skin

Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin, hair, nails, and their associated diseases. The skin is the largest organ of the body.

🧴 Key Fact: The skin covers approximately 2 square meters of surface area and weighs about 3.6 kg in an adult.

Skin Layers

Epidermis: Outer layer, barrier function
Dermis: Middle layer, contains blood vessels, hair follicles
Hypodermis: Deepest layer, fat and connective tissue

Common Skin Conditions

Condition	Description	Prevalence
Acne	Pilosebaceous unit inflammation	85% of teenagers
Eczema	Atopic dermatitis	250 million
Psoriasis	Autoimmune skin condition	125 million
Skin Cancer	Malignant growth (melanoma, SCC, BCC)	2 million annually
Rosacea	Facial redness and inflammation	400 million

Skin Cancer Prevention

Use sunscreen (SPF 30+) daily
Avoid excessive UV exposure
Regular skin self-examinations
Annual dermatologist check-ups