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Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...

Surface Membrane Barriers

Surface Membrane Barriers

The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...

Infection

Infection

When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 23, 2025

Author Spotlight: Studying Host-Microbe Interactions in Wound Biofilm Formation

Author Spotlight: Studying Host-Microbe Interactions in Wound Biofilm Formation

Published on: June 16, 2023

Early life host-microbe interactions in skin.

Laura R Dwyer¹, Tiffany C Scharschmidt²

¹Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Cell Host & Microbe

|May 13, 2022

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Early life skin microbiome development is crucial for lifelong health. Neonatal skin microbes and environmental exposures significantly impact skin barrier function and immune development, with lasting health consequences.

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Area of Science:

Dermatology
Microbiology
Immunology

Background:

The skin serves as a critical interface for environmental interactions.
Proper development of skin structures and barrier function is essential for microbial colonization, immune maturation, and disease prevention.
Early-life microbial exposures profoundly influence skin health throughout life.

Purpose of the Study:

To discuss key attributes of infant skin.
To explore endogenous and exogenous factors influencing the early-life cutaneous microbiome.
To highlight the clinical implications of the infant skin microbiome.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on infant skin development and microbiome.
Analysis of factors affecting the skin barrier and microbial colonization.
Discussion of clinical relevance and health consequences.

Main Results:

Neonatal skin microbiome composition is influenced by various factors.
The context of initial microbial encounters (e.g., compromised barrier) impacts health outcomes.
Early microbial exposures have both short- and long-term effects on skin health.

Conclusions:

Infant skin characteristics and environmental factors shape the cutaneous microbiome.
Understanding these interactions is vital for managing skin health and preventing disease.
Early life microbiome interventions may have significant clinical benefits.