{"id":465,"date":"2021-12-13T19:00:58","date_gmt":"2021-12-13T18:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sciencefocus.com\/?p=105394"},"modified":"2021-12-13T19:22:36","modified_gmt":"2021-12-13T18:22:36","slug":"why-is-human-skin-so-fragile","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/rss_feed\/why-is-human-skin-so-fragile\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is human skin so fragile?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Dr Claire Asher\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 13 December 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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If you\u2019ve ever tripped and grazed your skin, broken out in a rash, or suffered from acne or eczema, you might have found yourself wondering why human skin is so frail and fragile. Bruises, dry skin, callouses, hives, sunburn and scar tissue are among the many skin ailments that can at best irritate us and at worst seriously harm our health. But these gripes are minor when we consider all the things skin does for us.<\/p>\n

Skin is the largest and fastest-growing organ in the body. It provides a waterproof yet breathable barrier that protects us from the elements, parasites and pathogens. It is strong, yet extremely flexible. It helps regulate body temperature, reduces water loss and manufactures vitamin D. And, although it sometimes produces scar tissue, skin is amazingly good at self-healing after damage.<\/p>\n

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Humans can sweat from pores like this one, allowing us to stay cool in the heat \u00a9 Science Photo Library<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Humans are the only \u2018naked\u2019 ape and our unique skin adaptations have been crucial to our evolution. For example, without hair to protect us, human skin evolved melanin to block harmful UV radiation. Specialised sweat glands helped our ancestors thermoregulate while walking long distances in hot conditions, and the high density of nerve cells in our hands may have proved crucial for our ancestors to shape and use tools.<\/p>\n

Skin is so versatile and adaptable that scientists are developing lab-grown skin grafts to deliver drugs \u2013 such as insulin to treat diabetes \u2013 directly into the body. Researchers hope these gene therapy skin grafts could one day treat a range of diseases.<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n