Skin: How It Works/Taking Care of It

About Skin

Is your epidermis showing? Don't worry, it should be. Your epidermis is the top part of your skin, and your skin is your body's largest and fastest-growing organ. Skin is your body's coat. It protects you. It helps you stay warm when it's cold, and cool when it's hot. Your skin keeps all your insides in, from your heart and lungs to your blood and muscles. And unless it's cut or damaged, it keeps stuff out, including germs and water. You also feel things through the nerves in your skin.

Doctors who are experts in caring for skin are called dermatologists. Derma is the Greek word for skin. Dermatologists treat just about everything that can happen to skin, including rashes, dry skin, acne and skin cancer.


Next: How Skin Grows.

How Skin Grows

Your skin grows really fast. Here are some cool facts about your skin and how it grows:

  • You have a ton of skin cells. There are about 19 million skin cells in every inch of your body.

  • New skin cells replace old ones. Your body always is making new skin cells and getting rid of old ones. Your body gets rid of 30,000 to 40,000 old skin cells every day! The skin you see now will be gone in about a month.

  • Dead skin cells are on top. The top 18 to 23 layers of your skin are made of dead cells.

  • New skin cells form at the bottom of the epidermis, which is the top part of your skin.

  • Skin cells change shape. They start off kind of fat and square. Over time, they move to the top of the epidermis, flattening out as they go. When they get to the top, they flake off.

    • In 1 inch of skin, you have about:

  • 650 sweat glands.

  • 20 blood vessels.

  • 60,000 melanocytes (the stuff that makes melanin and gives your skin its color.)

  • 1,000 or more nerve endings.

    • Wow!



    Next: The Layers of Your Skin.

    The Layers of Your Skin

    Your skin has a big job to do protecting your body, so it's made to be tough and stretchy. There is a lot more to this job than it might seem. There are three main layers of the skin.

  • Epidermis is the top layer of the skin, the part of the skin you see.

  • Dermis is the second layer of skin. It's much thicker and does a lot for your body.

  • Subcutaneous fat is the bottom layer.

    • Epidermis


    Your skin's top layer, the epidermis, is super thin on some parts of your body (your eyelids) and thicker on others (the bottoms of your feet). The epidermis is the layer of skin in charge of:

  • Making new skin cells: This happens at the bottom of the epidermis. The skin cells travel up to the top layer and flake off, about a month after they form.

  • Giving skin its color: The epidermis makes melanin, which is what gives your skin its color (find out more about this in What Gives Skin Its Color).

  • Protecting your body: The epidermis has special cells that are part of your immune system and help you stay healthy.

    • Dermis


    A lot happens in the next layer, the dermis. The jobs of the dermis include:

  • Making sweat: There are little pockets called sweat glands in the dermis. They make sweat, which goes through little tubes and comes out of holes called pores. Sweating keeps you cool and helps you get rid of bad stuff your body doesn't need.

  • Helping you feel things: Nerve endings in the dermis help you feel things. They send signals to your brain, so you know how something feels if it hurts (meaning you should stop touching it), is itchy or feels nice when you touch it.

  • Growing hair: The dermis is where you'll find the root of each tiny little hair on your skin. Each root attaches to a tiny little muscle that tightens and gives you goose bumps when you are cold or are scared.

  • Making oil: Another type of little pocket, or gland, in your skin makes oil. The oil keeps your skin soft, smooth and waterproof. Sometimes the glands make too much oil and give you pimples. (See Acne: Pimples and Zits.)

  • Bringing blood to your skin: Blood feeds your skin and takes away bad stuff through little tubes called blood vessels.

    • Subcutaneous Fat


    The bottom layer of skin is the subcutaneous fat layer. This layer plays an important role in your body by:

  • Attaching the dermis to your muscles and bones: This layer has a special connecting tissue that attaches the dermis to your muscles and bones.

  • Helping the blood vessels and nerve cells: Blood vessels and nerve cells that start in the dermis get bigger and go to the rest of your body from here.

  • Controlling your body temperature: The subcutaneous fat is the layer that helps keep your body from getting too warm or too cold.

  • Storing your fat: This fat pads your muscles and bones and protects them from bumps and falls.


    • Next: What Gives Skin Its Color.

    What Gives Skin Its Color

    Skin color can be everything from very pale to very dark, and many shades in between. That's because of something called melanin, which is made in the epidermis. Some people call it pigment.
    Here are some facts about melanin:

  • Some people make more melanin than others. Everyone has about the same number of cells that make melanin, but not everybody makes the same amount of melanin.

  • The more melanin your skin makes, the darker your skin. How much melanin your body makes depends on your genes, which you get from your parents.

  • Melanin is why you get a tan or burn. When you go out in the sun, your body makes more melanin. That's because it's trying to protect you from the sun's damaging rays by deflecting or absorbing them. But melanin isn't strong enough to completely protect you, especially if you have pale skin. By the time you see your skin turn darker or get burned, it's already damaged, so trying to get a tan is a bad idea. You should always protect your skin from the sun by covering up and using sunscreen.

    • Because people with darker skin have more melanin, they usually don't get as wrinkly when they get older. They're also less likely to get skin cancer. But even dark-skinned people can get wrinkles and skin cancer, so everyone needs to protect their skin when they go outside. Want to know more about protecting yourself from the sun?

    Visit Be Sun Smart.

    Next: Taking Care of Your Skin.

    Skin Care

    Taking good care of your skin means you need to:

  • Keep it clean

  • Protect it from the sun

  • Care for it when it gets banged up

    • Don't worry, it's not hard to do.

    Next: Washing.

    Washing

    Have you ever noticed that if you don't wash, your skin gets greasy, dirty and even smelly? That gives you a clue that you should wash your skin regularly to keep it healthy. If you don't, sweat, oil and dead skin mix together with germs. Yuck! It can make you sick because germs collect on your skin and can get in through cuts and scrapes. When you wash your skin regularly, it's less likely that those germs will get inside your body where they can really hurt you.

    To keep your body clean:

  • Use mild soap and water.

  • Take a bath or shower as often as you or your parents think you need to. Some kids take a bath or shower every day, some every other day, some a few times a week. If you have very dry skin, your parents should take you to see a skin doctor (dermatologist), who can figure out the problem and tell you how often you should bathe.

  • Wash when you're dirty or smelly, like after playing sports or after being outside on a hot day.

    • When you get to be a teenager, you'll probably take a shower every day.

    Taking care of your skin is especially important if you have pimples. You should:

  • Wash your face twice a day with warm water.

  • Use a mild cleanser, which works like soap to clean your skin, but is gentler so it doesn't dry it out.

    • To learn more about caring for skin that has pimples, visit Treating Pimples.

    It's also important to wash your hands a lot to get rid of germs that can make you sick. Always wash your hands before you eat, after using the bathroom, after blowing your nose, and after touching your cat, dog or any other pets. The best way to do it is:

  • Use clean, warm water and soap.

  • Rub the soap on your hands with some water to make it lather.

  • Rub your hands together for about 20 seconds, scrubbing all over both sides of your hands and between your fingers. If counting is boring, sing "Happy Birthday to You" twice in your head.

  • Rinse your hands with running water.

  • Dry your hands off on a clean towel.


    • Next: Sun Protection.

    Sun Protection

    You need to protect your skin from the sun every day, even when it's cloudy. That's because the sun's damaging ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays go right through clouds. Too much sun can make your skin wrinkly and might even give you skin cancer. To protect yourself:

  • Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Look for a sunscreen that protects you from both UVA and UVB rays. When a sunscreen protects against both, the bottle might say the sunscreen offers "broad-spectrum" sun protection.

  • Cover up by wearing a hat, sunglasses and clothes that cover your arms and legs, if possible.

  • Seek shade when the sun's rays are strongest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

    • To learn more about how damaging the sun can be, visit Skin Cancer: How the Sun Can Hurt Your Skin.

    Next: Scrapes, Cuts and Bruises.

    Scrapes, Cuts and Bruises

    Skin gets banged up sometimes. You fall and scrape your knee. Your finger gets a paper cut from your homework. You slide into third base and get a bruise on your thigh. It's pretty normal stuff. Here's what you should do:

    Scrapes and Cuts


    If you get a cut or scrape, you should:

  • Wash it with mild soap and water.

  • Dab a little antibiotic ointment on it (you can get this at the drugstore).

  • Cover it with a bandage for a day or two.

  • Change the bandage every day, or if it gets wet or dirty.

  • Take off the bandage when the cut starts to heal. This will help it heal faster.

  • See a doctor if the cut or scrape starts hurting more, gets red or looks infected. If the cut is deep, bleeds a lot or just looks bad, see a doctor as soon as possible. You might need stitches to close it up and help it heal. Don't worry, the doctor will give you something so you don't feel the stitches.


    • Bruises


    When you get a cut, your skin bleeds on the outside. If you fall and get a bruise, that means your skin is bleeding on the inside. If you get a bruise, put an ice pack or cold cloth on it so it doesn't swell so much. If it's a bad bruise, keep the area higher than your heart for about 15 minutes, so you don't get as much bruising and swelling.

    If the bruise is really bad, if it gets worse after a day, or if it's really painful or you get a fever, you should see a doctor right away.

    Next: Acne: Pimples and Zits.

    Skin Health and Diseases

    Pimples

    Sooner or later, almost all kids get something called acne. You might call them pimples or zits. People in TV commercials call them blemishes. Whatever you call acne, nobody wants it. But pimples are part of growing up and usually appear when you are between the ages of 12 and 17. You might be lucky and only get a few pimples. You might get more than a few. Or you might get big bumps that hurt and cover a lot of your face.

    If you're like a lot of kids, you might be embarrassed by your pimples. Maybe you don't raise your hand in class even if you know the answer. Or you get shy around that cute kid at the next locker. Your pimples might make you sad, so you don't want to talk to anybody, even your good friends.

    The good news is you can do something about your pimples. You might just need to change the way you wash your face. Gently washing twice a day can help. There are pimple treatments you can buy at the store. If your pimples don't go away or they really bug you, your mom or dad can take you to a skin doctor (dermatologist).

    If your parents want to know about how to help you with your pimples, they can visit acne for more information.

    Next: Just What Are Pimples?

    Just What Are Pimples?

    Acne comes from an old Greek word that means "skin eruption." Yep, ancient Greek kids had pimples, too! Before you learn what really causes pimples, let's set a few things straight. Pimples don't come from:


    Now, this doesn't mean it's OK to eat a bunch of junk food and never wash your face. It just means something else is causing your pimples.

    OK, So What Causes Pimples?


    If you look closely at your face in a mirror, you can see tiny holes in your skin. These are called pores. Inside the pores, you'll find:


    These things are normal and were there before you had pimples. The oil makes your hair shiny and keeps your skin from getting too dry, so it's a good thing. But then something called puberty happens. This is a time when your body starts to change in many ways.


    The result? Pimples.

    Next: Different Kinds of Pimples.

    Different Kinds of Pimples

    There are different types of pimples. They all start with plugged-up pores.

  • Blackheads and whiteheads: Oil, dead skin cells and bacteria block pores and cause small bumps called blackheads or whiteheads. If a blocked pore stays open, it can look kind of black and is called a blackhead. If a blocked pore closes up, the top of the bump looks more white. So it's called a whitehead. Blackheads and whiteheads are pretty easy to treat. You probably can use stuff you buy at the store. If these are the only kind of pimples you have, it's not so bad.

  • Papules and pustules: Sometimes the pores get so irritated that their walls break. That causes bigger pimples that are called papules and pustules. Papules are hard when you touch them. A bunch of papules that are near each other can make your skin feel like sandpaper. Pustules are like papules except yellowish, liquid pus fills them sort of like a blister. Papules and pustules are a little tougher to treat. Medicine you buy at the store might work. You might want to visit a skin doctor (dermatologist), who can give you other treatments.

  • Nodules and cysts: When blocked pores get more irritated, they get even bigger. They go deeper into your skin, too. They can really hurt. Nodules are hard. Cysts have pus and are softer. If you have these, you might be embarrassed to see people. If you have nodules or cysts, you should see a skin doctor. The skin doctor can use many treatments so you aren't stuck with these pimples.

    • After pimples go away, they might leave red or dark marks on your skin. These marks fade, but it might take few days, weeks or months. Sometimes you get permanent scars from pimples. The scars can be bumps or dents in your skin. A skin doctor can help make some of those scars fade.

    Next: Treating Pimples.


    Photo references:
    An example of blackheads, an example of whiteheads on a person’s nose, papules on a person’s forehead and nose, a cyst on a person’s nose, nodules on the back of a person's head, papules & pustules on the back of a person’s neck - Photos used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

    An example of pustules on the face - This photo was previously published in Dermatology DDxDeck, Vol 1, Pg 31. Habif T, Campbell J, Chapman M et al. “Pustular acne.” Copyright Elsevier (2006).

    A nodule on a person’s eyebrow - This photo was previously published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2007 August: 57(6):1072-83, Setyadi H, Nash J, Duvic M et al. “The solitary lymphomatous papule, nodule, or tumor.” Copyright Elsevier (2007).

    Treating Pimples

    Thankfully, there is a lot you can do about your pimples. Ask your mom or dad to take you to the store to look for pimple medicine. There are many products you can buy that work. But you need to be patient. It can take six to eight weeks for treatment to work. Stick with it. If your face doesn't look better after 10 weeks, try something new.

    Check out the labels on pimple products. You'll probably see these big words on some of them. Here's what a few of them mean:


    There's also other stuff out there to treat your pimples that might work. You might hear about herbal and natural treatments, but so far there's no proof that they work.

    When you use pimple medicine:


    If the treatment works, keep using it, even if your pimples are gone. If you stop, your pimples might come back.

    If none of the products you can buy at the store work, it's time to see a skin doctor for a stronger treatment. Have your mom or dad find a skin doctor near you and make an appointment. Your parents can learn more about pimples and how to make an appointment for you to see a skin doctor by visiting Acne.

    Next: Helping Stop Pimples.

    Helping Stop Pimples

    The best thing to do is to try to stop pimples before they start. Here's what you should do:


    Here's what you shouldn't do:


    If you want to know more about pimples, visit Acne Net.

    Next: Birthmarks: Almost Everyone's Got Them.

    Birthmarks

    A birthmark is pretty much what it sounds like: a mark that's on your skin when you're born. Actually, though, some birthmarks show up soon after you're born.

    Birthmarks come in different shapes, sizes and colors and can be anywhere on the skin. Some are so little and pale that you might not even notice them. Most people have at least a few of these.

    Other birthmarks are bigger and are purple, red or black. You might notice these more, especially if they are on someone's face. These large birthmarks might make some kids embarrassed. Other kids aren't bothered at all. Usually a big birthmark doesn't mean there's anything wrong, though. Some kids just happen to have them. Birthmarks usually don't hurt. No one really knows what causes them. Some go away on their own, and others might stick around your whole life. If you have a birthmark that bothers you, talk to your mom or dad about it. You can ask them to take you to a skin doctor (dermatologist). The skin doctor can talk to you about your birthmark and decide if it needs to be treated or if you should just leave it alone.

    If your parents want to know more, they can visit Birthmarks.

    Next: Why People Get Birthmarks.

    Why People Get Birthmarks

    Do you ever wonder why people get birthmarks? Good question. Some types of birthmarks run in families, but not always. Nobody really knows why babies get them or why some kids have small birthmarks and others have bigger ones. They just seem to happen.

    Next: Different Kinds of Birthmarks.

    Different Kinds of Birthmarks

    There are two main types of birthmarks:

    Pigmented birthmarks: Pigment is a fancy word for color. These types of birthmarks happen when you have more pigment in one part of your skin. It's like a spot on your skin. The types of pigmented birthmarks are:

  • Moles: If you are born with a mole, it is considered a birthmark. People often call these birthmarks "beauty marks." But not all moles are birthmarks. Moles usually are small, round brown spots (no bigger than about the size of a pencil eraser), but they sometimes can be larger and can be different colors. They can be pink, skin-colored or black. Some are flat and smooth; others are raised above the skin like a slight bump. Some moles go away, but you also might get more moles on your body as you get older. If you notice a mole that itches or bleeds, or if it looks a lot different than your other moles, ask your parents to take you to the doctor. It is important to have it checked out and make sure it's OK.
  • Cafe-au-lait spots: Cafe-au-lait (pronounced cafay oh lay) is French for "coffee with milk," which is the color of these spots: kind of light brown when they're on light skin. On dark skin they can be the color of black coffee. They can be small or big and often are oval-shaped. The spots might fade as you get older, but they probably won't go away totally.
  • Mongolian spots: These types of spots are kind of gray-blue. They mostly turn up on the backs or bottoms of babies with darker skin. They can look like bruises. Sometimes they fade away, but sometimes they don't.



    • Vascular birthmarks: Your heart and blood vessels — the little highways that move blood through your body — are your vascular system. Sometimes a bunch of extra blood vessels will clump together, and you can see this clump in your skin. This is called a vascular birthmark. More than one in 10 babies has this type of birthmark. The different kinds are:

  • Salmon patches: These marks are flat and kind of pink or red (like salmon). If you get them on your face, people call them "angel's kisses." If you get them on the back of your neck, they're called "stork bites" (red spots that look like bite marks — they're not, of course). Sometimes they fade away, but sometimes they don't.
  • Hemangiomas: It's a big word (pronounced he-man-gee-oh-ma), and sounds scary, but these birthmarks usually are harmless. There are two types: the kind that shows up on top of your skin and the kind that is deep in your skin. The ones on top are called strawberry hemangiomas because they're bright red and look like the fruit. Deep hemangiomas are bluish-purple and make the skin swell and bulge. This kind shows up after a baby is born. For the first year, both types can get bigger and bigger, which can look a little scary to parents. The good news is they usually start shrinking. Most hemangiomas become flat by age 10, and many become flat even earlier. They can leave a light mark behind.
  • Port-wine stains: These marks often show up on the face, and they're the color of wine or grape juice: pink, red or purple. They don't go away on their own and can get bigger as kids grow.





    • Next: What To Do About Birthmarks.


    Photo references:
    A child with a Café-au-lait spot - This photo was previously published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1999 June; 40(6):877-90. Landau M, Krafchik B. “The diagnostic value of café-au-lait macules.” Copyright Elsevier (1999).

    A child with a Mongolian spot on his back - Photos used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

    A salmon patch on a person’s forehead - This photo was previously published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2007 Mar;56(3):353-70. Garzon M, Huang J, Enjolras O. “Vascular malformations: Part I.” Copyright Elsevier (2007).

    An example of a strawberry hemangioma - This photo was previously published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008 Feb;58(2): S16-S22.Wu P, Mancini A, Marghobb A et al. “Simultaneous occurrence of infantile hemangioma and congenital melanocytic nevus: Coincidence or real association?.” Copyright Elsevier (2008).

    A port-wine stain on a child’s face and ear - This photo was previously published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2009 April;60(4):669-75. Cordoro K, Speetzen L, Koerper M et al. “Physiologic changes in vascular birthmarks during early infancy: Mechanisms and clinical implications , 27 January 2009.” Copyright Elsevier (2009).

    What To Do About Birthmarks

    Birthmarks almost never hurt you. For most of them, you don't have to do anything. Babies who have vascular birthmarks usually need to see a skin doctor (dermatologist) to find out if it needs to be treated. This is important when a birthmark is in a bad spot like near the eye, which might make it hard to see someday.

    A skin doctor also can tell you if there are ways to make a birthmark fade or become lighter. Here are some things the doctor might use or suggest:



    Next: Bugs, Bees and Other Critters that Bite and Sting.

    Bug Bites

    Have mosquitoes ever eaten you alive? Or has a bee or wasp ruined your picnic when it didn't leave you alone? Sometimes insects can drive you buggy. Most aren't very dangerous, but it's no fun when they bite or sting.

    Why do they do it? Some bugs, like mosquitoes and ticks, need to suck blood to stay alive. Others, like bees, wasps and spiders, sting or bite when they think they are in danger or need to protect their homes.

    When you get a bite or sting, some bugs inject venom into your skin. Mosquitoes leave their spit in you when they bite, causing that itchy bump. Gross, huh? Most bug bites and stings don't hurt for very long or make you sick. But that doesn't mean they feel good. Bites and stings often make a small bump on your skin that itches, stings, swells, turns red or feels hot. If you scratch it, the bite can get red and even itchier. Sometimes bug bites can be dangerous.

    If your parents want to know about bug bites and stings, they can visit Bug Bites and Stings.

    Next: Kinds of Bug Bites and Stings.

    Kinds of Bug Bites and Stings

    So exactly what kind of bugs and other creatures bite and sting? If you live in the United States, here's a list of some of the ones you might find around your home:

    Mosquitoes, Fleas and Other Little Biters



    Spiders


    There are more than 3,000 different kinds of spiders in the United States. Most spiders only bite when they think they are in danger. The bites leave very tiny holes in your skin that you might not even see. Some of these bites can hurt a bit, itch or get puffy. Two types of spider bites are dangerous:


    Ticks




    Next: How to Prevent Bites and Stings.

    How to Prevent Bites and Stings

    The best way to deal with bug bites and stings is to try to avoid them in the first place. Here are some tips:



    Next: Taking Care of Bites and Stings.

    Taking Care of Bites and Stings

    Usually, you can take care of your bites and stings at home with your parents' help. Here's what to do:

    Mosquitoes, Fleas and Other Small Bugs


  • Wash the bite with soap and water.

  • Use calamine (rhymes with "pal–of–mine") lotion or another cream that will help you stop the itch.

  • Don't scratch the bites, even though that's hard because they itch a lot!

  • Put ice on a swollen bite.

  • See a doctor if your bite looks worse or you just can't stop scratching. Talk to your mom, dad or another adult about it.

    • Bees and Wasps


  • Tell a grown-up right away that you've been stung.

  • Take out the stinger if it's still in your skin – ask a grown-up for help.

  • Gently wash the sting with soap and water. You might have to do this a few times a day.

  • Put an icepack on the sting.

  • Apply a paste made with baking soda and water. Baking soda is something people cook with, but it also can make stings feel a lot better. Ask an adult to help you do this.

  • Ask your mom or dad if you can take some pain medicine.

  • Use some lotion or cream to stop the itch if it's bothering you.

    • Sometimes, stings can be dangerous. To learn if you might have an allergic reaction to the sting, visit Dangerous Bites and Stings.

    Spiders


    Most spider bites can be treated by a grown-up.

  • Wash the bite with soap and water.

  • Put on an ice pack to make it less puffy.

    • If you think a black widow or brown recluse spider bit you, tell a grown-up right away. You might need to see a doctor and go to the hospital.

    Ticks


  • Don't pull off a tick if you find one on your skin, but tell your mom, dad or another adult right away.

  • An adult should grab the tick with a tweezers close to your skin and pull straight up to remove the tick.

  • Carefully look over the rest of your body. With your parents' help, check all over, including behind the ears, to be sure there are no other ticks.

  • Never squeeze or crush a tick, because that can cause more venom to enter your body.

  • Save the tick in a jar of alcohol in case your doctor wants to see it later. The doctor might be able to tell you if this is the kind of tick that can cause Lyme disease, which can feel like the flu. To learn more, visit Dangerous Bites and Stings.


    • Next: Dangerous Bites and Stings.

    Dangerous Bites and Stings

    Most bites and stings don't hurt you, but some can be dangerous, especially if you are allergic to the venom, or if the bug is carrying a disease.

    Allergies to Bites and Stings


    Some people are allergic to bug venom, especially from bees. When an allergy happens, your body overreacts and sends "fighter" cells to combat the venom. This can cause some scary symptoms. If you have been bitten or stung, especially by many insects at the same time, look out for these dangerous signs:

  • Trouble breathing.

  • Red bumps (hives) in places where you were not stung.

  • A red and swollen bite that gets worse over time.

  • Headache or dizzy feeling.

  • Coughing or choking.

  • Throwing up or feeling as if you are going to throw up.

  • Pains in your chest.

  • Heart beating very fast.

  • Lips, tongue or face are swollen.

    • These are dangerous signs. Tell an adult to take you to the emergency room right away!

    Some Insects Carry Disease


    Most bug bites don't make you sick, but some mosquitoes and ticks carry diseases like West Nile virus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. Even though you probably won't get sick, it's still important to try to keep bugs from biting you. Know what to look for if you are bitten:

  • You feel tired all the time, or have a headache, fever or body aches. You might think you have the flu.

  • You get a rash on your skin. Days after a tick bite, you might get a red, doughnut-shaped rash where the tick bit you. This can be a sign of Lyme disease. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can cause a red to black spotty rash.

    • If you notice these signs, tell a grown-up so you can see a doctor.

    Next: Eczema: Itchy Skin.

    Eczema

    Does it seem like your skin is almost always itchy, itchy, itchy? That you scratch like crazy and it still itches?

    A bunch of things can make your skin itch. Sometimes the itchiness happens once and goes away. But if your skin is so itchy it drives you nuts, and it happens a lot, talk to your parents. It might be something called eczema. Another name for it is dermatitis. These are big words for itchy skin.

    Lots of kids have eczema. But it can look different on different kids. You might have:
  • Red bumps that are kind of scaly and feel rough and dry.

  • Bubbly, oozing skin.

  • Itchy skin but you can't see anything on it at all!

    • Don't worry about catching eczema or passing it on to your friends. Eczema isn't contagious.

    You can't cure eczema, but it might just go away when you grow up. About half of kids who have eczema don't have it when they become adults.

    In the meantime, there is stuff you can do to keep it from being so annoying. Talk to your parents about helping you deal with your itchy skin. If it's really bugging you, your mom or dad can make an appointment with a skin doctor (dermatologist).

    If your parents want to know about eczema, they can visit Eczema.

    Next: What Is Eczema?

    What Is Eczema?

    Eczema is a word that means irritated skin. Doctors don't really know why some kids and adults get eczema, and others don't. They think it might happen for a bunch of reasons:

  • Family: If your mom, dad, brothers or sisters have eczema, you might get it too.
  • Asthma and allergies: If you have asthma (a disease that can make it hard to breathe) or allergies (when your immune system tries to protect you from normal things that aren't hurting you), you're more likely to get eczema.
  • Where you live: Eczema is more common in cities, polluted areas and in the northern part of the world.
    • When you have eczema, it means your immune system is working too hard. Your immune system usually is good, because it tries to protect you from bad stuff like infections and diseases. For some reason, when you have eczema, your immune system kind of goes crazy. So that makes your skin overreact to something and get all itchy and rashy. Weird, huh?

    If you have eczema, you might not itch all the time. It's sort of like eczema goes to sleep. Certain things wake it up and make you start itching. These things are called triggers and you should try to avoid them if you can, especially if you've noticed that they make your skin itchy.

    Common triggers are:

  • Animal saliva (when a pet licks you.)
  • Scratchy clothes (such as wool.)
  • Sweating a lot.
  • Soaps.
  • Household cleaning products.
  • Fruit juices.
  • Dust.
  • A cough, cold or the flu.


    • Next: Different Kinds of Eczema.

    Different Kinds of Eczema

    There actually are a bunch of different kinds of ezcema, and they all have fancy names. When kids get eczema, they usually have either atopic dermatitis or contact dermatitis.

    Atopic dermatitis


    When people talk about eczema, they usually mean atopic dermatitis. Atopic is a word that means your body, and in this case your skin, overreacts to something.

    Some things to know about atopic dermatitis:

  • A lot of kids have it. In fact, as many as one in 10 kids has atopic dermatitis. Some say it's more like one in five! And it's way more common than it was when your grandparents were kids.

  • It's more common in kids with asthma and allergies. Half of all kids who have eczema also have asthma, a disease that can make it hard to breathe. And two-thirds of kids with eczema get something called hay fever, which is when something makes you sneeze a lot and get watery eyes and an itchy nose. Some kids even have eczema, asthma and hay fever!

  • It comes and goes. This can happen a lot and you might not ever really figure out why.

    • Contact dermatitis


    If you have contact dermatitis, it means that things you touch – or that touch you – can irritate your skin. A lot of things can touch your skin and make it itchy. There are two reasons.

    Your skin gets annoyed or irritated. Common things that annoy your skin are:

  • Soaps.

  • Detergents.

  • Cleaners.

  • Paints.

  • Even water!

    • You might have an allergy. An allergy is when your immune system tries to protect you from normal things that aren't hurting you. Many things can trigger an allergy and it might be hard to figure out what they are. So far, doctors have found more than 3,000 things that can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Some common ones are:

  • Leather, glue or rubber in your shoes.

  • Concrete.

  • Perfumes, even in hair and skin products.

  • Some medicines.

  • Nickel, a metal that is in a lot of jewelry.

  • Foods such as tomatoes, chocolates, nuts and soy.

  • Poison ivy and other plants such as poison sumac and poison oak.

    • Anyone can get contact dermatitis, but it's more common in kids who have atopic dermatitis.

    Next: Stop Itchy Skin Before it Starts.

    Stop Itchy Skin Before it Starts

    Here are some things you can do to keep eczema away:


    Next: Making the Itch Go Away.

    Making the Itch Go Away

    Sometimes, even if you're really good about putting on your thick cream or ointment, you still get itchy. Don't worry, it happens. The good thing is there's other stuff you can do to try to stop the itching.

    If these things don't help enough, ask your parents to take you to a skin doctor (dermatologist). The skin doctor can give you a stronger version of medicine or use another treatment. Some of the treatments are:

    Sometimes, skin doctors do tests to see if certain things are triggering your eczema. But the tests can't always figure out the problem. And even if you can figure out a few things that trigger eczema, your itchy skin won't completely go away. The best thing to do is to take really good care of your skin, use lots of cream or ointment, and use medicine when it gets itchy. And remember, you're not alone!

    Next: Treating Poison Ivy.

    Treating Poison Ivy

    One really common cause of contact dermatitis is poison ivy, a plant that grows in woody areas. Poison oak and poison sumac are other plants that can give you a rash, too. They all have an oil in them called urushiol, to which most people are allergic. You can get the rash from:

    As soon as you think you might have a rash from one of these plants, you should:

    The rash will go away in a few weeks. Until then, here's what you can do:

    If nothing seems to help, have your mom or dad take you to a skin doctor (dermatologist).

    Next: Piercings and Tattoos...Cool or Dangerous?


    Photo references:
    Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac - Photos used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

    Piercings and Tattoos

    Piercings and tattoos seem to be cool these days. You might even know a teenager who has a tattoo, or maybe even a pierced belly button or tongue. Here's the thing: Piercing and tattooing really aren't very safe. You can end up with a bad infection or a scar. That's why doctors say piercings and tattoos aren't a good idea for kids. Also, when you get older – believe it or not – you might think that a tattoo or piercing really isn't so cool, and wish you didn't have it.

    It's true that some kids, and even babies, get their earlobes pierced. Doctors say it's still risky, but not as much as piercing other parts of the body. You need your parents' permission to get your ears pierced. If they're OK with it, you need to make sure they find a good, clean, safe place where you can get it done. Then you have to care for them. By the way, some kids you know might have the edges of their ears pierced. This is really not a good idea because piercings on this part of the ear don't heal very well.

    Oh, and don't ever try to pierce or tattoo yourself, and do not have a friend do it for you. It's risky enough to have it done by an expert. It's way more dangerous if it's done by someone who doesn't know how to do it safely. A skin doctor (dermatologist) can give you advice and suggest how to choose a safe place to get it done.

    If your parents want to learn more about earlobe piercing, they can visit Piercings and Tattoos.

    Next: How Piercings and Tattooing Work.

    How Piercings and Tattooing Work

    To do an earlobe piercing, most places use one of these methods:

    Both are very fast, and kind of feel like a pinch for a few seconds. Piercing other parts of the body pretty much works the same way. Most tattoos are done with a special electric gun. Here's what usually happens:

    It takes a long time to get a tattoo, and it can hurt and bleed. Getting it removed is worse: It can take longer and hurt even more. And it costs a lot of money!

    Here are some other things you should know:


    Next: Things That Can Happen With Pierced Ears.

    Things That Can Happen With Pierced Ears

    Things like infections and scars can happen when you get your ears pierced. Some of them are more likely to happen if you don't go to a good, clean, safe place to get it done or if you don't take care of them. But even if you do those things, they can still happen. If they do, tell your parents to make an appointment for you to see a skin doctor (dermatologist).

    Some of the things that can happen are:


    Next: Getting Piercing Done Safely.


    Photo references:
    Example of a keloid, and an allergic reaction - Photos used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

    A person with a torn earlobe - This photo was previously published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2000 July;43(1):99-101. Nikko A, Hsu S, Quan L et al. “Surgical Pearl: Repair of partially torn earlobes—Punch technique versus conversion to complete tear.” Copyright Elsevier (2000).

    Getting Piercing Done Safely

    Even if you do everything right, you can still have problems with pierced ears. But if you do your best to make sure you go to a safe piercing place, you will be better off. Here's what to look for:


    Next: Taking Care of Pierced Ears.

    Taking Care of Pierced Ears

    Once you get your ears pierced, you have to take care of them. If you don't, you can get an infection. Following the care directions the piercer gives you can help to avoid infection. The piercer will probably tell you to:


    If your ears get sore, red or puffy, or if yellowish liquid oozes out of the hole, tell your parents. If it doesn't go away quickly, your parents should take you to see a doctor. If you have a serious infection or it spreads, you might need to see a skin doctor (dermatologist).

    Next: Getting Rid of Pierced Ears.

    Getting Rid of Pierced Ears

    If you decide after a while that you're tired of your pierced ears, take the earrings out. But don't be surprised if the hole doesn't close up. The only way to fix that hole is to have surgery, which can cost a lot of money. But if you haven't had the earrings for a long time, you might not even be able to see the hole unless you look really close.

    Next: Skin Cancer: How the Sun Can Hurt Your Skin.

    Skin Cancer

    Skin cancer is something that kids hardly ever get, so you probably don't think about it much. But lots of grown-ups get skin cancer and often it's because of things they did – or didn't do – when they were kids.

    They might have had bad sunburns. Or they got really dark tans. They didn't protect themselves from the sun when they were outside.

    The main reason people get skin cancer is that they were exposed to too much sun on their skin, especially when they were young. There's no way to know for sure who will get skin cancer some day and who won't. And most kinds of skin cancer can be cured if you see it and go to the doctor right away. But if you protect your skin from the sun now, there's a better chance you won't get skin cancer in the first place. You'll also get fewer wrinkles and ugly brown spots.

    Here are some simple things all kids and adults should do to Be Sun Smart®:

    If your parents would like to know more about skin cancer, they can visit a section about Skin Cancer.

    Next: What Causes a Sunburn and Suntan.

    What Causes a Sunburn and Suntan

    Any time your skin is not protected by sunscreen or clothes and gets too much sun, it can burn or tan. But why do some people get a sunburn and others get a suntan?

    You have something called melanin in your skin. It's the stuff that gives your skin its color. People who have dark skin have more melanin. People who have light skin have less.

    Here's how melanin makes your skin burn or tan:
    Besides tanning or burning, a lot of people also get uneven patches of color, or freckles.

    Even if you have naturally dark skin or never burn and always tan, that still means the sun is damaging your skin. And you can still get skin cancer and wrinkles some day.

    Next: What is Skin Cancer?

    What is Skin Cancer?

    People get cancer when some cells in the body are damaged and start growing way too fast. These growing cells make spots or bumps called tumors. Nobody knows why some people get cancer and others don't. Lots of different things can cause cancer and sometimes doctors don't know what causes it. But they do know for sure that the sun is one of the things that causes skin cancer.

    Here's what you should know about the sun, tanning beds and skin cancer:

    The good thing about skin cancer is that it's right there on your skin, so you can see it and show it to a doctor. Then, the doctor can treat it to make it go away. Kids don't get skin cancer very often. But it can sometimes happen, so it's better to be safe and check it out.

    Next: Be Sun Smart®.


    Photo references:
    An example of melanoma - Photo used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

    Be Sun Smart®

    If you start protecting yourself from the sun now, you'll be glad you did when you get older. Your skin will look better and have fewer wrinkles and brown spots. Plus, you'll be less likely to get skin cancer.

    What can you do to protect your skin? It's simple:


    Next: Treating Sunburn.

    Treating Sunburn

    If you forget to be sun smart, you might get a sunburn. It can really hurt and you need to stay out of the sun until it gets better. Here are some things that can help make you feel better:


    Next: Warts: Not Just for Witches and Frogs.

    Warts

    Warts are small bumps that can show up on your hands, face or even the bottom of your feet. Ugh! But guess what? Lots of kids get warts. They're more common in kids, but adults can get them, too. Warts are caused by a germ called a virus but aren't serious and won't seriously hurt you. But they spread easily on your body and from kid to kid.

    If you ignore your warts, they probably will go away on their own. If you are tired of looking at them or if they hurt (especially if they're on the bottom of your feet), ask your mom or dad to help you get rid of them. You can buy some medicine at the store that might work. Or your parents can take you to a skin doctor (dermatologist). The skin doctor can check to be sure that you really do have warts. If you do, the skin doctor has many treatments that can help get rid of the warts.

    The bumps might not be warts, but something like warts called molluscum contagiosum. That's a mouthful! The name tells you that these bumps are contagious. That means they spread easily, too. Like warts, a virus causes molluscum. They will go away without treatment but it can take a long, long time, like a year, or sometimes even five years. The skin doctor can treat molluscum, too.

    If your parents want to know about how to help you with your warts, they can visit Warts.

    Next: Where Warts Come From.

    Where Warts Come From

    Touch all of the frogs or toads you like. They won't give you warts. But warts do spread easily. You get them when your skin touches someone who has warts, or something a person with warts has touched. So that means you can get warts:

    Because warts are so easy to catch, it's a good idea to wear pool shoes or flip-flops instead of going barefoot at the pool or other places where people walk around without shoes. Don't worry about it too much, though. Sometimes there's nothing you can do to prevent warts.

    Warts are caused by a germ called a virus. There are lots of different types of viruses. One type causes colds, another causes warts. So really, you catch the virus. The virus:

    If your brother or sister has warts, you might get them and you might not. Doctors don't really know why, but some people just get them more easily than others do. If you have warts, it doesn't mean anything is wrong with you. It's sort of like some kids getting more colds than others.

    Molluscum is something that looks like warts, but isn't. It's also is caused by a virus, just a different type. You get these bumps the same way you get warts – from someone else.

    Next: What Warts Look Like.

    What Warts Look Like

    Warts can look different. They can be:

    You might have just one or two warts, or you might get a whole bunch. You can get warts almost anywhere on your body. Some types of warts usually show up on certain places on your body:

    Some people think warts have roots, like a plant, but they don't. Sometimes warts have tiny black spots in them that look like seeds. But they aren't seeds. It's just that the blood that feeds the wart has dried. Don't worry, it's normal to get this.

    Molluscum bumps are usually small and round. They're skin-colored, pink or red. They kind of look like pimples, but you get them in places where you usually don't get pimples. You can get them on your arms or legs, stomach or even your bottom.



    Next: How to Get Rid of Warts.


    Photo references:
    Warts on person's hand, warts on person's face, plantar warts, warts on person's fingers, and Molluscum contagiosum on a child’s neck - Photos used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

    How to Get Rid of Warts

    A lot of times, the warts will go away without any help. It can take a long time, though. And the warts might spread. So you might want to try to get rid of them.

    Here are some treatments your mom or dad can buy at the store:

    While you're trying to get rid of the warts, don't scratch or pick at them. This makes them worse and also spreads them to other parts of your body. You don't want that!

    It will take time to get rid of the warts. You will have to use the treatment over and over, sometimes every day. Even then, it can take weeks or sometimes months.

    If your warts aren't going away fast enough, or are spreading, ask your mom or dad to take you to a skin doctor (dermatologist). The skin doctor can try other treatments that might work better than stuff you can buy at the store. The treatments can include:

    They might even use a treatment made of beetles!

    Molluscum bumps will go away on their own. But it can take months and maybe even years. Also, there are no treatments you can use at home. So if you don't want to wait for them to go away or they are spreading, see a skin doctor.

    Next: Scars: What Is a Scar?

    Scars

    A scar is a mark left on your skin after an injury heals.

    When you injure your skin – by accident or from a surgery – your body works to repair the wound. The body creates collagen (a tough fiber in your body that gives the skin strength and flexibility) to reconnect the tissues broken apart by the injury. While the body does this work, it creates a scab over the wound. The scab protects the wound from germs as the body heals.

    When the injured skin is repaired, the scab dries up and falls off. In its place, there may or may not be a scar. If there is a scar, it can be pale pink, brown or silver.

    Next: Why Do We Get Scars?

    Why Do We Get Scars?

    There are a few reasons you can end up with a scar:


    If you have a scar that makes you unhappy, tell your parents. A skin doctor (dermatologist) can talk about making scars less noticeable. Keep in mind though that scars cannot be completely erased. No treament will return your skin to the way it looked before an injury. A dermatologist can answer your questions about scars.

    Next: Preventing Scars.

    Preventing Scars

    Some scars are hard to avoid, like after surgery or the chickenpox. There are some things you can do to prevent scars caused by injuries like skinned knees and deep scratches. Here are some important safety tips:


    Next: Will My Scar Go Away?

    Will My Scar Go Away?

    Some scars fade over time, but you can never completely erase a scar. No treatment will return your skin to the way it looked before an injury. Ask your parents to talk with a skin doctor (dermatologist) about ways to make your scar less visible.

    Next: Making Scars Less Visible.

    Making Scars Less Visible

    Almost everyone has a scar and a good story to share about how they got it. Whether you fell off your bike or scratched your arm climbing a tree, scars are usually nothing to worry about. Ask your parents if they have any scars. They probably have a story about how they got one.

    By the time you grow up, you'll probably have a few good stories, too. You can have a good story without having an ugly scar. Here are some things you can do to make a scar less visible:


    Next: About Hair: Not Just on Your Head.

    Hair: How It Works/Taking Care of It

    About Hair

    Did you know that your whole body is covered with hair? Well, almost your whole body. Your lips, the palms of your hands and the bottom of your feet don't have hair on them. But just about everything else does, from your cheeks and fingers to your knees and toes, and, of course, your head.

    Some of those hairs are so tiny and so light in color that they're really hard to see. On your cheeks, they're almost like peach fuzz. Hair on your arms and legs is a little easier to see and feel, and usually gets thicker as you get older. The longest and thickest hair of all is on your head.

    The hair on your body has some special jobs. It helps protect you and keep you warm. Your eyelashes keep dirt and dust out of your eyes. Your eyebrows also protect your eyes, and stop sweat from running into them.

    Sometimes you can have problems with your hair or your scalp (the skin on your head) and you might need to talk to a doctor. It might sound kind of funny, but the best doctor to see for hair problems is a skin doctor (dermatologist). That's because hair grows out of your skin.

    Look around and you'll notice that everybody's hair is different because there are so many combinations of hair types, colors and styles. It can be short, long, curly, straight, thick, thin, blond, black, brown or red. Most of those things are decided by the genes you get from your parents.

    Next: How Hair Grows.

    How Hair Grows

    Hair grows out of little pockets in your skin, called follicles. Here's how it happens:

    1. Your hair begins growing from a root in the bottom of the follicle. The root is made up of cells of protein.

    2. Blood from the blood vessels in your scalp feeds the root, which creates more cells and makes the hair grow.

    3. The hair gets pushed up through the skin as it grows, passing an oil gland along the way. The oil gland adds oil to the hair and keeps it shiny and soft. It can make it greasy, too. That's why you need to wash your hair.

    4. The hair dies by the time it is long enough to poke out through the skin. Yes, hair is dead. That's why it doesn't hurt to get a haircut.
     Hair on the rest of your body goes through this same process, but the whole cycle only lasts for a month or so. That's why body hair does not grow very long in length like the hair on your head does.

    Here are some facts about follicles and your hair:


    Next: Why Everyone's Hair is Different.

    Why Everyone's Hair is Different

    Everybody's hair has texture. That's what it looks and feels like. Your hair might be:

    The shape of your follicles determines whether your hair is straight or curly. People with very curly hair have follicles that are oval-shaped and people with straight hair have round follicles. The kind of hair you have is decided by the genes you get from your parents.

    Your hair may change its texture when you start becoming an adult. If it's straight now, it might become more curly. Or it might not.

    Next: What Gives Hair Its Color.

    What Gives Hair Its Color

    Like skin, hair can be different colors. It can be blond, brown, black or red…or something in between – like strawberry blond – which is kind of blond and red – or auburn – which is red and brown.

    Like your skin, its color comes from something called melanin. Some people call it pigment. Here is some interesting information about hair color:


    Next: Hair Care.

    Hair Care

    Hair may be dead, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't care for it. You should wash it regularly. Actually, what you really need to be sure to wash is your scalp. The best way to get your hair clean is to:

    1. Get it really wet.

    2. Use a small amount of shampoo. A squirt about the size of a quarter is enough.

    3. Rub the shampoo into your scalp. Don't scrub too hard.

    4. Rinse really well, until you don't see any more bubbles or suds on your head or going down the drain.

    5. Gently dry your hair with a towel.

    6. Comb it out carefully with a wide-tooth comb, especially if it's curly. Don't yank or tug on it, because that can break the hair or pull it out.

    7. Let your hair air dry whenever you can. Hair dryers can be tough on hair.
    If your scalp is itchy, dry and flaky, it could be because you aren't rinsing all of the shampoo out. Or it could be because you have something called dandruff. If you have dandruff, when you scratch your head, the skin flakes off and lands on your clothes. It's really noticeable if you're wearing dark colors. You can use a special shampoo that your parents can buy at the store. There are many to choose from. Talk to your doctor or a skin doctor (dermatologist) to help you decide on the best shampoo for you.

    How often you wash your hair depends on what it's like and what you do during the day. If your hair gets oily quickly, it needs to be washed more often. Straight hair can get oily quickly. Very curly hair is not as oily and can be washed less often. If you have very curly, kinky or thick hair, it might be too dry and look frizzy. Using a conditioner after you wash your hair might help, but that doesn't make it healthier. Remember, hair is already dead, but conditioner can make it look better.

    All kinds of things can damage hair and make it break off or get too dry. To protect your hair, be careful around:

    One of the common types of hair damage is split ends. Look really closely at the end of a hair, and you might notice that the end is split apart. Because hair is dead, though, you can't repair split ends. All you can do is cut them off.

    If you're worried about your hair or scalp, ask your parents to take you to your doctor or a skin doctor, who also cares for hair.

    If your parents want to know more about helping you care for your hair, they can visit Healthy Hair Habits for Your Child.

    Next: Hair Loss.

    Hair Health and Diseases

    Lice

    If your head has been extra itchy lately, and you think you feel things moving around on your scalp, you might have lice. Yuck! Lice are tiny bugs about the size of a sesame seed that like to live in human hair. Like mosquitoes, they feed on your blood. When they bite your scalp, it itches.

    Here are some things you should know about lice:


    Next: Finding Those Tricky Lice.

    Finding Those Tricky Lice

    If you feel itchy, or a note comes home from school that someone in your class has lice, be sure your parents look very closely at your hair and scalp (the skin on your head).

    Because lice move quickly, it's often hard to see the live bugs. Your parents are more likely to see the eggs that lice lay. These eggs are called nits, which:


    Next: Getting Rid of Lice.


    Photo references:
    A magnified picture of an adult louse, and a magnified picture of a nit attached to a strain of hair - This photo was previously published in Dermatology DDxDeck, Vol 1, Pg 93. Habif T, Campbell J, Chapman M et al. “Head lice (pediculosis).” Copyright Elsevier (2006).

    Getting Rid of Lice

    Your parents will need to help you get rid of lice. Here's what they should do:

    1. Shampoo your hair with a special product that kills lice.

    2. Use a lice comb that comes with shampoo to get the nits out of your hair. They'll need to use it to comb your hair every day for a few weeks, to be sure all of the lice and nits are gone. It's not fun to sit while your parents comb through your hair, but it's better than having an itchy head or having to cut off all of your hair.

    If your parents are having a hard time getting rid of lice, they might want to take you to see your doctor, or a skin doctor (dermatologist), who also treats hair.

    If your parents want to know more about getting rid of lice, they can visit Lice.

    Next: Shaving.

    Hair Loss

    Every day you lose hair. About 50 to 100 of them fall off your head. That's normal and you probably don't notice because other hairs keep growing. But sometimes, people lose a lot more hair than that. Is your grandpa or dad bald or losing his hair? Maybe even your grandma has thin hair. It's pretty common. Half of all men have bald spots by the time they're 50. Some women do, too. There are some medicines that might help.

    There are other reasons people can lose hair, too, including:

    Luckily, most of these things can be stopped or treated. If you are losing more hair than you think you should, talk to your parents. They might take you to see a skin doctor (dermatologist), who treats hair problems.

    If your parents want to know about hair loss, they can visit Hair Loss.

    Next: Lice: Creepy Crawlies in Your Hair.


    Photo references:
    Alopecia - Photo used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

    Shaving

    As you get older, hair starts growing thicker and darker in certain places where you didn't have much hair before. Many people shave some of that hair away. For girls, that typically means under the arms and on the legs. For boys, that means on the face.

    Before you try shaving, it's a good idea to ask your parents to give you advice and show you how. It's easy to cut yourself if you're not careful. You can even get an infection from the cut.

    Here are some tips:

    If your parents want to know more about shaving, they can visit Shaving.

    Next: About Nails: More Important Than You Think.

    Nails: How They Work/Taking Care of Them

    About Nails

    Did you know that your nails are made of dead cells, just like your hair? You might pay attention to how your hair looks, but you probably don't give your nails a whole lot of thought. But they're an important part of your body and come in handy. Just think how tough it would be to scratch an annoying itch if you didn't have nails. Or to pick up a penny from the ground. They not only help you do things, but your nails protect your fingers and toes. Also, the look of your nails sometimes can help doctors tell if you are healthy or sick.

    A skin doctor (dermatologist) can help you care for your hair and nails, too.

    If your parents want to learn more about helping you care for your nails, they can visit: Nails.

    Next: How Nails Grow.

    How Nails Grow

    You've had nails for a long, long time. In fact, you started growing nails before you were even born! Here are the different parts of your nails and how they grow:

    Some interesting facts about nail growth are:


    Next: Nail Care.

    Nail Care

    Because your nails are important and can even help a doctor find out if you are healthy or not, it's important to take good care of them. It's not that hard. Here are some dos and don'ts of fingernail and toenail care.

    Do:


    Don't:


    If you are having problems with your nails, ask your parents to take you to a skin doctor (dermatologist).

    Next: Hangnails.

    Nail Health and Diseases

    Hangnails

    Have you ever had a piece of skin at the edge of your nail tear, and maybe bleed a little? That's called a hangnail. It's kind of a funny name, because it's really your skin that tears, not the nail. Hangnails are really common. But they still can hurt. And, if germs get in there, the skin can get infected.

    If you get a hangnail:


    Next: Infections.

    Ingrown Toenails

    Just like they sound, ingrown toenails are when your nail grows into your skin. Healthy nails grow straight out. But sometimes, the edge of the nail curves down into your skin and makes the nail "ingrown." Usually this happens on the big toe and it can hurt a lot.

    To make sure you don't get an ingrown toenail, you should:

    If you do get an ingrown nail:


    Next: Injuries.

    Mani's & Pedi's

    Some adults and even some kids give their nails a special treat with a manicure or pedicure that cares for the nails and cleans, trims and shapes them. A manicure is when you get this done to your hands. "Mani" means hand in Latin, and "cure" means care.

    A pedicure is for the feet. You guessed it, "pedi" means foot in Latin.

    The treatment can be done at home or at a nail salon or spa. A lot of people go to nail salons or spas for manicures and pedicures. There even are some spas just for kids! At the end of the manicure or pedicure, the nails usually are painted with polish.

    Some kids also like to get fake nails. That's OK if you use the press-on ones made just for kids. It can be a fun activity, and the nails come off easily. But the professional kind of fake or artificial nails can give you a rash or even damage your nail. Not a good idea!

    If your parents want to learn more about manicures or pedicures, they can visit: Manicures and Pedicures.

    Next: What Happens?

    What Happens?

    A technician is the person who gives manicures and pedicures in nail spas and salons.

    During a manicure and pedicure, the technician will:

    Nail polish won't hurt your nails. Sometimes it even protects your nails and helps keep them moist.

    If you use nail polish:

    By the way, you can give yourself a manicure and pedicure at home, too. But be very careful when cutting your nails so you don't cut your skin! It might be easier to have one of your parents do this for you.

    Next: Safety Tips.

    Safety Tips

    Most spas and nail salons are clean and safe. But not all of them are.

    If you go to a salon:

    If you have a manicure or pedicure and a few days later you notice your nails, fingers or toes are sore, red or oozing pus (a yellow liquid), you should have the problem checked out. You could have an infection. Your parents should take you to a skin doctor (dermatologist) to get treatment.

    Next: Nail Biting.

    Nail Biting

    We all have habits. Nail biting is a common one. Lots of kids do it, and even some adults. But if you bite your nails, you really need to try to stop. Here's why:

    The good news is fewer adults bite their nails than kids, which means as they get older, lots of people just stop doing it. In the meantime, try to pay more attention to when you bite your fingernails, and stop yourself when you are. If you have a hard time, you might want to ask your mom or dad to buy special stuff at the store to put on your nails. It makes them taste awful. It won't hurt you, but as soon as you start to bite, you'll get that awful taste, which will remind you to stop.

    Next: Rough Nails.

    Infections

    Sometimes germs can invade your nail or the skin underneath and cause an infection. The most common type of germ that causes nail infections is called a fungus.

    Fungal infections:

    If you get an infection, your parents should take you to a skin doctor (dermatologist). The skin doctor can give you medicine that will clear it up. Cream you can buy at the store usually doesn't work.

    The best thing to do is to keep your nails clean and dry to try to avoid infections in the first place.

    Next: Ingrown Toenails.


    Photo references:
    A nail infection on a person’s toes - Photo used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

    Injuries

    Have you ever had a finger smashed in a door? Or has someone big and heavy ever stepped on your toes? When things like that happen, they can hurt both you and your nails.

    When a nail is injured, different things can happen:

    These things might look really bad, but they are pretty normal.

    If you injure a nail:

    In some cases, the nail gets hurt so bad it will fall off. It should grow back, but it can take a long time.

    If you have some of these problems and you don't remember injuring your nail, have your parents take you to a skin doctor (dermatologist). A skin doctor takes care of nails and can help you find out what is wrong and see if other things like chemicals, a disease or infection might have hurt your nail.

    Next: Manicures and Pedicures: Not Just for Adults.


    Photo references:
    Nails with reddish-brown lines - This photo was previously published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2007 Mar;56(3):538-40. Borer M, Wells M. “Woman with dark longitudinal bands on her nails.” Copyright Elsevier (2007).

    An example of white spots on the nail plate - This photo was previously published in Dermatology DDxDeck, Vol 1, Pg 154. Habif T, Campbell J, Chapman M et al. “Nail diseases.” Copyright Elsevier (2006).

    Rough Nails

    Your nails usually are smooth. Sometimes, though, they can become rough and grow thicker. Nobody really knows what causes rough nails. It might mean you've got a skin problem, like a rash called eczema. There are other problems that can cause rough nails, too.

    If you notice this happening, ask your parents to take you to a skin doctor (dermatologist). The skin doctor can figure out what's causing your nails to become rough and treat you.

    Next: Warts.


    Photo references:
    An example of a rough nail - This photo was previously published in Dermatology DDxDeck, Vol 1, Pg 154. Habif T, Campbell J, Chapman M et al. “Nail diseases.” Copyright Elsevier (2006).

    Warts

    Warts are small bumps that can show up on your hands, face or even on the bottom of your feet. They can show up on the skin around and under your nails, too. They might hurt. They also might make the nail look weird.

    If you have warts around or under your nails, it would be a good idea to ask your parents to take you to see a skin doctor (dermatologist), who can treat them.

    For more information about warts, visit Warts: Not Just for Witches and Frogs.


    Photo references:
    Warts near a person’s fingernail - This photo was previously published in Dermatology DDxDeck, Vol 1, Pg 59. Habif T, Campbell J, Chapman M et al. “Warts (verruca vulgaris).” Copyright Elsevier (2006).