The Immune System And Skin Disorders

Understanding immune system and skin disorders

About immune system

Imagine watching a movie about aliens attacking the earth and that superheroes protect us, that is exactly what the immune system is! When our body are being attacked by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and foreign bodies (resembling aliens), the immune system is our superhero that protects us.

About skin disorders

Skin disorders can occur due to defects in the immune system, resulting in t immunological skin diseases. This is where the body starts attacking skin tissue by mistake resulting in lesions, rashes and blisters. 

Immune system: parts, conditions and disorders

Parts of immune system

Innate immune system 

It is inherited and active from birth. It acts as the first physical barrier of defense, examples of these include the skin, the  cornea of the eye and mucous membrane.

Acquired immune system 

It is responsible to make important proteins called antibodies which  protect the body from specific foreign bodies. B lymphocytes develop immune cells after the body has been exposed to the foreign bodies. Antibodies stay in the body and after the first exposure, antibodies will recognize the foreign bodies and defend against them. Immunization makes the body form antibodies to fight against specific diseases. 

Immune system cells are made in different organs of the body: 

1. Adenoids: 2 glands located at the back of the nasal passage
2. Lymph nodes: that are located all over the body and connected to lymphatic vessels
3. Lymphatic vessels: a channel all over the body that connects lymphocytes to the bloodstream
4. Bone marrow: soft, spongy tissues found in bone cavities
5. Thymus: 2 lobes in front of trachea
6. Tonsils: masses on back of the throat
7. Peyer patches: lymphoid tissue found in small intestine
8. Spleen: fist sized organ located in abdominal cavity

Conditions and disorders that affects the immune system

Many deficiencies can affect the immune system: 

• Allergies: when the body overreacts to substances such as food or pollen, it releases histamine that is responsible for symptoms such as rashes, sneezing, stuffy nose or severe symptoms including breathing problems that may lead to death. Antihistamine medication can improve the symptoms  
• Autoimmune disorders: When the immune system starts attacking its own healthy tissues, it may affect joints, muscles, or skin which is commonly affected
• Primary immunodeficiency disorders: it is inherited and prevents the immune system from working normally
• Medications as corticosteroids weaken the immune system
• Infection as HIV is a well-known infection that weakens the immune system. HIV leads to serious illness
• Cancer: Certain types of cancer, like leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma affect the immune system directly. These cancers occur when immune cells grow uncontrollably

Tips for healthy immune system: 

1. Quit smoking and alcohol
2. Healthy diet including vegetable and fruits and normal body weight
3. Get enough sleep
4. Be fit and exercise regularly 
5. Wash hands often
6. Stress less life

Skin disorders: types, causes, symptoms and treatment

Types of skin disorder

Psoriasis 

It is an inherited chronic autoimmune disorder that causes immune system cells to be overactive and speed up skin cell growth. In 2013, psoriasis affected 7.4 million adults in the United states.Skin cells form layers of red plaque covered in flaky, silver-white patches of dead skin. 

Triggers can be infections, skin injuries, alcohol and stress, skin plaque can affect scalp, low back, elbows and knees. It may heal and then come back through life. 

Scleroderma

Connective tissue disease characterized by thickening and hardening of the skin. According to the scleroderma foundation, 300,000 people live with scleroderma in america. Scleroderma may be localized or systemic, localized affect skin and can also affect bones and muscles while systemic scleroderma affects internal organs such as heart, lungs, digestive tract and kidneys in addition to skin, joints and muscles.

Scleroderma occurs more in women with 80% incidence of the cases compared to men. 

Lichen planus

It is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease, affecting skin, genitals, oral mucosa, scalp and nails. It forms lacy white patches sometimes with painful sores.

Lupus of the skin 

Cutaneous lupus is an autoimmune disease where healthy skin cells damage the skin causing redness, itching, pain and scarring. While systemic lupus erythematosus is a serious type of lupus affecting joints, brain, kidneys, blood vessels and heart.  

Cutaneous lupus can not be cured but treated by medication, lifestyle changes and skin protection. 

Dermatomyositis 

Autoimmune disease that affects muscles and skin. Characterized by skin rashes on the upper part of the body, causes thickening and tightening of the skin, purplish colored eyelids, in addition to muscle weakness, soreness and stiffness. 

Juvenile dermatomyositis affects the age group between 5 to 10 years. It causes fever, fatigue, rash and muscle weakness. 

Behcet’s disease 

According to cleveland clinic, it is a rare disorder with low incidence of occurrence of behcet’s disease, it affects 7 per 100,000 people in the united states. The condition can’t be cured and Symptoms may stop or slow down in periods of remission and increase at periods of flare up.  

Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid 

Disease that affects both skin and mucous membrane of the eyes especially conjunctiva. Characterized by blistering of the skin and scarring of the conjunctiva. Blisters may be on the skin, nose, mouth, eyes, intestinal tract and genitals. Needs long term treatment to avoid conjunctiva scarring and vision loss. 

Pemphigus

It is an autoimmune skin disease causing blisters or bumps filled with pus. Blisters develop on the skin and mucous membrane, it is painful, itchy and swollen. Pemphigus may be life-threatening if left untreated. 

Epidermolysis bullosa

Develop fluid filled blisters in response to injuries that usually do not cause a reaction.  

Causes of skin disorder

The exact cause behind autoimmune skin diseases is unknown but there are some triggers: sun (ultraviolet radiation), infection, hormones and stress.

Symptoms of skin disorder

Autoimmune skin disorders are characterized by:

1. Chronic fatigue
2. Skin inflammation and scarring
3. Skin patches
4. Dry and cracked skin that is itchy
5. Swollen and stiff joints
6. Thickened and pitted nails

Diagnosis of autoimmune skin disorders include history taking, physical examination of the skin, blood test revealing auto antibodies associated with specific autoimmune skin disease and skin biopsy taking a small skin sample to be seen under microscope. 

Treatment for skin disorder

Corticosteroids are the most common effective therapy for skin disorders but long term use of corticosteroids will cause serious side effects. 

Also immunosuppressive drugs are a treatment for autoimmune skin disorders such as Calcineurin inhibitors, Cytotoxic drugs and Monoclonal antibodies therapies.

Summary

Immunity is a double sided weapon, considered as one of the most important systems in your body but any defect in it will cause autoimmune disorders where some diseases affect skin cause symptoms that are annoying and do not cure easily needing lifelong treatment.