Skin and hair
Even at its thickest point, the skin is only millimetres thick. Even so, at almost one-seventh of the body's weight, the skin is the body's biggest organ. This surprisingly great weight shows just how important the skin is. It plays a role in metabolism and even in the body's balance. Hair and skin provide a stable and flexible covering for the body, protection against injury and evaporation, cold and heat, ultraviolet light and germs. And the skin is a sensor for touch and pain.
Feature: Rosacea
Red patches of skin on your face, tiny visible blood vessels and spots: many people know these problems well. They may be caused by rosacea – a common inflammation of facial skin. We describe what can be done to treat rosacea in our fact sheet. You can also use our diary to find out what could be triggering your rosacea outbreaks.
Feature: Wounds
It is easy to hurt yourself in daily life, but most small wounds can heal by themselves. However, if you cut yourself in the finger with a sharp knife when cooking, or injure yourself more seriously, a plaster might not be enough any more. Some larger wounds need help to close, either with special bandages or suturing. They will still usually heal within weeks. But some wounds, like bed sores, leg ulcers, or wounds after cancer treatment, can take months or even longer to heal, or don't heal at all.
