Cutaneous

Introduction 

Cutaneous refers to an injury or wound caused by a sharp object to the skin. Cutaneous injuries most commonly arise from the sharp edges of cutlery or from the sharp edges of other objects that are thrust into the skin. A cutaneous injury involves the cutting, slicing, or tearing of the skin. The cutaneous system of the body is made up of three layers of skin: epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous muscle layers. Cutaneous also refers to skin diseases. It is a contagious disease caused by bacteria and viruses that reside in the skin. There are various Cutaneous Diseases like eczema, psoriasis, eczema, erythema nodosum, scabies and dermatitis. According to WHO, in 2010, there were about 3.1 million new cases of dermatitis. 

The term cutaneous means a type of wound that is defined by the layers of skin that are in contact with the wound. Cutaneous wounds can be caused by blunt trauma, i.e., a minor accident. There are four anatomic layers of skin. The epidermis is the outer layer and is the first to encounter a wound. Cutaneous disorders are the most common group of primary skin diseases, affecting millions of people worldwide each year. 

Cutaneous infections

Cutaneous infection refers to infections of skin that affect the top layer of skin. They are a diverse group of infections and can affect any part of the body. The skin is the largest organ of the body and has a number of important protective functions. The skin also provides a barrier and a means of temperature regulation. Cutaneous infections are commonly caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites, but also by parasites such as mites, mycoses, and ectoparasites such as ticks and fleas. Cutaneous infections are usually treated with antibiotics and antifungal agents and generally do not require surgery. Cutaneous infections are considered to be the most common form of bacterial infections. These infections occur when bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus viridans, Escherichia coli, and Bacteroides spp. enter the skin. These bacteria usually originate from the endogenous flora of the skin, such as the nose, throat, or anus

Cutaneous infections may be caused by an infection of the skin or the lymph nodes, or by a systemic infection that has spread to the skin. When a cutaneous infection occurs at the site of entry, it is usually called a primary infection and when it occurs systemically, it is called secondary infection.

Cutaneous infections are basically caused by the microbial invasion of the epidermis, dermis, or subcutaneous tissues. These infections are caused by a broad range of pathogenic microorganisms and they are classified as either superficial, deep, or mixed according to the location of the infection. The types are: superficial, deep (cellulitis, abscesses and subcutaneous), and mixed (superficial and deep). Superficial cutaneous infections (scabies, dermatophytosis, and pediculosis) are caused by mites or insects (e.g. lice, pubic lice and scabies mites) and are generally not contagious to other people.

Cutaneous Anergy

A cutaneous anergy is the skin rash associated with anergic patients. In an aseptic environment an immune deficiency can lead to a cutaneous anergy. The condition can be a result of any infection, septicemia being the most common. The cutaneous anergy can also be due to a variety of other causes such as chronic illnesses and drug reactions. Cutaneous anergy also secondarily refers to an absence of an immune response in the skin as measured by delayed type cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction. This is a very important characteristic to be aware of as it is usually a sign of systemic reaction in the patient. This reaction is also referred to as immediate type hypersensitivity reaction.

Cutaneous anergy also accounts for a clinical condition in which T cells fail to respond to a stimulus by releasing cytokines. Most of cutaneous anergy is caused by cellular immunity. Cellular immunity comprises both innate and adaptive immunity. In cutaneous anergy, T cells are not effective in any of the responses that they are normally activated to perform. Anergy is the body’s natural defence mechanism, which is aimed at fighting against invading harmful foreign bodies. Cutaneous anergy is induced by toxins, chemicals, radiation and infections. Anergy is a decrease in the ability of the immune system to respond to foreign antigens in the skin. Cutaneous anergy may be caused by a variety of mechanisms, including anergy of T cells, anergy of T-regulatory cells, and anergy of keratinocytes. 

Cutaneous T-cell anergy is a form of immune system dysfunction that inhibits the immune system from fighting off bacteria, fungi and viruses. It is also responsible for the lack of production of IgE antibodies in response to allergen. The symptoms of cutaneous anergy may majorly include hives, angioedema, and urticaria. This is caused by an immune response to a substance, usually by the release of histamine from basophils. This is called a type I hypersensitivity reaction. 

Conclusion

The cutaneous anergy, or absence of the skin response to cutaneous anaphylaxis, is a condition that causes the skin to remain unresponsive to the administration of the antigens. Cutaneous infections are any infections that affect the skin. We often think of these as the infections we get from our fingers, but they can occur anywhere on the body. They are often very itchy and painful and can have a huge impact on daily life and social activities.