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Knowledge of the structure and function of skin and aspects of
the integumentary generally are essential parts of training in many
therapies, such as Massage, Aromatherapy, Acupuncture, Shiatsu,
and others.
This page is intended for most Basic / First Level Courses in these
therapies, and some ITEC Diplomas.
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This page includes the most common skin conditions, as included
on many first-level exam courses.
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Vitiligo
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Vitiligo is a common disorder in
which symmetrical white or pale macules
(flat circumscribed areas of skin or areas
of altered skin colour) appear on the skin.
This can affect all races but is more conspicuous
in dark-skinned races.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease and may
occur with other such diseases (e.g. thyroid
disease or alopecia areata). It is usually
progressive but spontaneous repigmentation
may occur.
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Albinism
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Albinism is the inherited absence
of pigmentation in the skin, hair, and eyes,
resulting in white hair and pink skin and
eyes.
The pink colour is produced by blood in
underlying blood vessels, which are normally
masked by pigment. Ocular signs are reduced
visual acuity, sensitivity to light (photophobia),
and involuntary side-to-side eye movements.
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Chloasma (melasma)
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Chloasma takes the form of ill-defined
symmetrical brown patches on the cheeks
or elsewhere on the face.
It is a photosensitivity reaction in women
who are taking the combined oral contraceptive
pills or who are pregnant. It very rarely
occurs in men. It can usually be prevented
by the use of sunscreens.
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Lentigo
(pl. lentigines)
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A lentigo is a flat dark brown spot
found typically on the skin of elderly people
- especially skin exposed to light.
Lentigines have increased numbers of melanocytes
in the basal layer of the epidermis. Freckles,
in contrast, do not show an increase in
these cells.
In lentigo maligna (or Hutchinson's
lentigo), which occurs on the cheeks
of the elderly, the spot is larger than
2 cm in diameter and has variable pigmentation.
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Moles (papilloma)
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Moles: A mole is a nonmalignant
collection of pigmented cells in the skin.
These are relatively rare in infants/young
children but increase in numbers during
childhood and especially in adolesence,
then deline in numbers in old age.
They vary widely in appearance, being flat
or raised, smooth or hairy.
Changes in the shape, colour etc., of moles
in adult life should be investigated as
this may be an early sign of malignant melanoma.
(Medical name: pigmented narvus.)
Papilloma: A papilloma is a benign
nipple-like growth on the surface of the
skin or mucous membrane. Examples include
basal-cell papillomas and bladder papillomas.
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Naevae
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A naevae is a birthmark, that is
a clearly defined malformation of the skin
that is present at birth.
There are many different types of naevi.
Some, including the strawberry naevus and
port-wine stain, are composed of small blood
vessels.
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The strawberry naevus (or
strawberry mark) is a raised
red lump usually appearing on the
face and growing rapidly in the first
month of life. These birthmarks slowly
resolve and spontaneously disappear
between the ages of five and ten.
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The port-wine stain (or capillary
naevus) is described in the following
section (below).
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It is not uncommon for a pale or
white halo to develop around an ordinary
pigmented naevus, especially on the
trunk, forming a halo naevus.
The pigmented naevus disappears over
the course of a few months, this is
followed by the disappearnce of the
pale area.
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A blue naevus is a small blue-grey
papule appearing at birth or later
in life, mainly on the extremities.
Progression to malignant melanoma
is very rare.
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A naevus of Ota (oculodermal
melanocytosis) is a blue-grey
pigmented area on the cheek, eyelid
or forehead with similar pigmentation
of the sclera of an eye. It is associated
with melanomas of the uvea, orbit,
and brain as well as with glaucoma
of the affected eye.
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Port wine stain
(capillary naevus)
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A "Port Wine Stain" (capillary
naevus) is a permanent purplish discolouration
that may occur anywhere on the body but
is usually located on the upper half of
the body.
Laser treatment can reduce the discolouration.
Occasionally a port-wine stain may be associated
with a malformation of blood vessels over
the brain, for example in the Sturge-Weber
syndrome.
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This is the end of this page about the skin pigmentations.
Note that this page only includes the most common skin
pigmentations - as included on many first-level courses.
Basic information about the structure
of skin and skin disorders
are also included on this website. |
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