Microorganisms like Staphylococcus epidermis colonize the skin surface. The density of skin flora depends on region of the skin. The disinfected skin surface gets recolonized from bacteria residing in the deeper areas of the hair follicle, gut and urogenital openings. Aesthetics and communication: others see our skin and can assess our mood, physical state and attractiveness. fur". Archived from the original on 3 March 2017 . Retrieved 4 March 2017– via The Free Dictionary. Gao X, Cui Y, Levenson RM, Chung LW, Nie S (August 2004). "In vivo cancer targeting and imaging with semiconductor quantum dots". Nature Biotechnology. 22 (8): 969–976. doi: 10.1038/nbt994. PMID 15258594. S2CID 41561027. Fever, chills, and red streaking from the rash might be symptoms of a serious infection requiring medical attention.

Bennett H (25 May 2014). "Ever wondered about your skin?". The Washington Post . Retrieved 27 October 2014.https://jddonline.com/articles/seborrheic-dermatitis-in-skin-of-color-clinical-considerations-S1545961619P0024X/ Sonavane G, Tomoda K, Sano A, Ohshima H, Terada H, Makino K (August 2008). "In vitro permeation of gold nanoparticles through rat skin and rat intestine: effect of particle size". Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces. 65 (1): 1–10. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2008.02.013. PMID 18499408. Control of evaporation: the skin provides a relatively dry and semi-impermeable barrier to fluid loss. [35] Loss of this function contributes to the massive fluid loss in burns.

Shpichka A, Butnaru D, Bezrukov E, et al. Skin tissue regeneration for burn injury. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2019;10(1):94. doi:10.1186/s13287-019-1203-3 Valentin J (September 2002). "Basic anatomical and physiological data for use in radiological protection: reference values: ICRP Publication 89". Annals of the ICRP. 32 (3–4): 1–277. doi: 10.1016/S0146-6453(03)00002-2. S2CID 222552 . Retrieved 30 October 2023. Zankl M (2010). "Adult male and female reference computational phantoms (ICRP Publication 110)". Japanese Journal of Health Physics. 45 (4): 357–369. doi: 10.5453/jhps.45.357 . Retrieved 30 October 2023.Skin is laced with nerves, which communicate information about pressure, texture, heat, cold, pain, and pleasure to the brain. This allows us to respond appropriately to our environment. Temperature regulation Keratosis pilaris is a minor condition that causes small, rough bumps on the skin. These bumps usually form on the upper arms, thighs, or cheeks. They’re typically red or white and don’t hurt or itch. Camouflage, whether the skin is naked or covered in fur, scales, or feathers, skin structures provide protective coloration and patterns that help to conceal animals from predators or prey. [30] Webb AR (September 2006). "Who, what, where and when-influences on cutaneous vitamin D synthesis". Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology. 92 (1): 17–25. doi: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2006.02.004. PMID 16766240. The epidermis, "epi" coming from the Greek language meaning "over" or "upon", is the outermost layer of the skin. It forms the waterproof, protective wrap over the body's surface which also serves as a barrier to infection and is made up of stratified squamous epithelium with an underlying basal lamina.