It Covers Us All

Saved, unsaved, young, old, black, white, brown, liar, sinner, optimist, narcissist, apostle, teacher, pastor, lawyer, nurse, doctor, writer, it covers us all.  That it is, the skin! The skin is our protective coat and is the largest organ of the body.  It is made of water, protein, fats, and minerals. The skin acts as the primary boundary with the external world.

The main functions of the skin are:

1. Protection-the skin protects us by keeping bacterial, viruses and other microorganisms from entering the body. It protects us against scrapes, cuts etc. The skin reduces absorption of harmful substance. Additionally, the melanin pigment helps shield the skin against the sun’s potential damaging ultraviolet rays.
2. Temperature regulation- the skin helps maintain a stable internal body temperature through sweating. Sweat cools the body as it evaporates. Additionally, through sweat, the skin helps eliminate small amounts of waste products like urea (which is a substance formed by breakdown of protein in the liver) and ammonia (a waste product formed when the body breaks down proteins). Moreover, the skin assists with the dilation of blood vessels to release heat or constricts blood vessels to conserve heat.
3. Sensation-the skin is packed with nerve endings helping us to feel touch, pressure, and pain.
4. Vitamin D Production- when we are exposed to sunlight, the skin synthesizes Vit D which is essential for calcium absorption, bone health and immune function