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One important function of the skin and epidermis is to form a protective layer made from stratified squamous epithelium. There are four to five layers of epithelial cells which form a protective layer from bacteria, viruses, allergens, and other pathogens. Eczema is a skin condition that causes itching, redness, and inflammation (Oyoshi, He, Kumar, Yoon, & Geha, 2009). The cause of eczema is believed to be allergy related. Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis with atopic meaning sensitive to allergens, and dermatitis meaning inflammation of the skin. Due to the itching associated with eczema most lesions of atopic dermatitis are due to a defective skin barrier (Oyoshi, He, Kumar, Yoon, & Geha, 2009). According to (Rice University, 2017), keratin is an intracellular fibrous protein which gives skin its water-resistant properties. Filaggrin, a filament protein which binds to keratin fibers is lacking in someone with eczema (Oyoshi, He, Kumar, Yoon, & Geha, 2009). This leads to an ineffective skin barrier which then leads to water loss. This causes the dry and itchy skin associated with eczema. The absence or low amount of filaggrin also causes more pathogens and allergens to make way into the epidermal layers. The cause of eczema can also be genetic and passed down from parent to child (Sroka-Tomaszewska & Trzeciak, 2021). You are also more likely to have eczema as an adult if you had it as a child. Epidermal differentiation genes are genes that can differentiate the structural proteins in epithelial cells. There is a filaggrin gene located on the long arm of 1q21 chromosome (Sroka-Tomaszewska & Trzeciak, 2021). If there is a mutation on this gene, there is a high possibility of eczema or atopic dermatitis (Sroka-Tomaszewska & Trzeciak, 2021).
Although there are genetic possibilities to eczema, the environment may play a factor as well. Diet change, the increased usage of antibiotics, smoking, and other environmental factors can be epigenetic changes (Sroka-Tomaszewska & Trzeciak, 2021). Excessive itching of the skin can cause the body to have an immune response and cytokines (Sroka-Tomaszewska & Trzeciak, 2021). Since eczema is most commonly allergy related, the triggers for a flare up can vary. Wool, synthetic clothing, dust mites, dander, and others are all triggers for a flare up. (Cartledge, 2022). It is important to avoid fragrances and harsh soaps with eczema as this can cause a flare up. If you have eczema on your hands, this can be difficult to avoid as you are constantly washing your hands or using hand sanitizer.
There are a few treatments for eczema but unfortunately there is no cure. Emollients or moisturizers are used to cover the skin with a protective layer to trap moisture in the skin. This acts as a barrier to the skin like filaggrin but can be only temporary. Topical steroids are another treatment used for eczema. These work to reduce inflammation, irritation, and itching associated with eczema (Cartledge, 2022). These can also reduce the dryness and promote the skin barrier of the epidermis. Some people might be scared of these, but systemic absorption is rare nowadays (Cartledge, 2022). Since this condition is chronic it is important to keep up with regular treatments. The comic and 3D print shows the epithelial cells form a barrier against pathogens and allergens. This project covers the following objectives: describe in depth each type of epithelial tissue and its function and describe tissues in the integumentary system and their function.
Works Cited
(n.d.).
Cartledge, N. (2022). A quick guide to eczema in children. Paediatrics and Child Health, 33-40.
Oyoshi, M., He, R., Kumar, L., Yoon, J., & Geha, R. (2009). Cellular and molecular mechanisms in atopic dermatitis. Advances in Immunology, 135-226.
Rice University. (2017). Anatomy and Physiology. Houston: OpenStax.
Sroka-Tomaszewska, J., & Trzeciak, M. (2021). Molecular Mechanisms of Atopic Dermatitis Pathogensis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 1-16.
One important function of the skin and epidermis is to form a protective layer made from stratified squamous epithelium. There are four to five layers of epithelial cells which form a protective layer from bacteria, viruses, allergens, and other pathogens. Eczema is a skin condition that causes itching, redness, and inflammation (Oyoshi, He, Kumar, Yoon, & Geha, 2009). The cause of eczema is believed to be allergy related. Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis with atopic meaning sensitive to allergens, and dermatitis meaning inflammation of the skin. Due to the itching associated with eczema most lesions of atopic dermatitis are due to a defective skin barrier (Oyoshi, He, Kumar, Yoon, & Geha, 2009). According to (Rice University, 2017), keratin is an intracellular fibrous protein which gives skin its water-resistant properties. Filaggrin, a filament protein which binds to keratin fibers is lacking in someone with eczema (Oyoshi, He, Kumar, Yoon, & Geha, 2009). This leads to an ineffective skin barrier which then leads to water loss. This causes the dry and itchy skin associated with eczema. The absence or low amount of filaggrin also causes more pathogens and allergens to make way into the epidermal layers. The cause of eczema can also be genetic and passed down from parent to child (Sroka-Tomaszewska & Trzeciak, 2021). You are also more likely to have eczema as an adult if you had it as a child. Epidermal differentiation genes are genes that can differentiate the structural proteins in epithelial cells. There is a filaggrin gene located on the long arm of 1q21 chromosome (Sroka-Tomaszewska & Trzeciak, 2021). If there is a mutation on this gene, there is a high possibility of eczema or atopic dermatitis (Sroka-Tomaszewska & Trzeciak, 2021).
Although there are genetic possibilities to eczema, the environment may play a factor as well. Diet change, the increased usage of antibiotics, smoking, and other environmental factors can be epigenetic changes (Sroka-Tomaszewska & Trzeciak, 2021). Excessive itching of the skin can cause the body to have an immune response and cytokines (Sroka-Tomaszewska & Trzeciak, 2021). Since eczema is most commonly allergy related, the triggers for a flare up can vary. Wool, synthetic clothing, dust mites, dander, and others are all triggers for a flare up. (Cartledge, 2022). It is important to avoid fragrances and harsh soaps with eczema as this can cause a flare up. If you have eczema on your hands, this can be difficult to avoid as you are constantly washing your hands or using hand sanitizer.
There are a few treatments for eczema but unfortunately there is no cure. Emollients or moisturizers are used to cover the skin with a protective layer to trap moisture in the skin. This acts as a barrier to the skin like filaggrin but can be only temporary. Topical steroids are another treatment used for eczema. These work to reduce inflammation, irritation, and itching associated with eczema (Cartledge, 2022). These can also reduce the dryness and promote the skin barrier of the epidermis. Some people might be scared of these, but systemic absorption is rare nowadays (Cartledge, 2022). Since this condition is chronic it is important to keep up with regular treatments. The comic and 3D print shows the epithelial cells form a barrier against pathogens and allergens. This project covers the following objectives: describe in depth each type of epithelial tissue and its function and describe tissues in the integumentary system and their function.
Works Cited
(n.d.).
Cartledge, N. (2022). A quick guide to eczema in children. Paediatrics and Child Health, 33-40.
Oyoshi, M., He, R., Kumar, L., Yoon, J., & Geha, R. (2009). Cellular and molecular mechanisms in atopic dermatitis. Advances in Immunology, 135-226.
Rice University. (2017). Anatomy and Physiology. Houston: OpenStax.
Sroka-Tomaszewska, J., & Trzeciak, M. (2021). Molecular Mechanisms of Atopic Dermatitis Pathogensis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 1-16.
Natalie, I loved your project so much! I thought the topic you picked was so interesting and something I realized I really knew nothing about, so this was very informative! I also loved the way you chose to express your project! The 3-D model was so cool and really allowed me to picture what was happening in the skin, and then the comic strip was so fun and an easy way to help explain what you researched! After reading your information on your topic and looking at your art I feel I have come to gain a much better knowledge of eczema, what it is, and what it does. I learned that there is a protective layer of skin all around the outside of our body made from stratified squamous epithelium. There are multiple layers that make up the stratified squamous and they all help protect dangerous viruses and pathogens from entering our body. I then learned that there is a protein in our body called keratin and it gives our skin its water-resistant abilities. Filaggrin, another protein, binds to keratin allowing it to effectively keep water in the body. People with eczema are usually lacking filaggrin, which causes their skin to let a lot of water out and become really dry. This weakens the skin and allows many pathogens and viruses to enter into the body and cause itchy, red areas of the skin, or eczema. I also learned that unfortunately there is not yet a cure for eczema, and only medicines like some lotions and oils that help the skin become water resistant again, so it doesn’t let too much water out! Youd did such an awesome job on your project, well done!