Dermatológia pre prax 3-4/2007

BARRIER FUNCTION OF THE SKIN IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

Recent knowledge about the skin barrier and its function confirms its importance in the protection of the organism against adverse environmental factors. This protection lies in the regulation of penetration of chemical substances,in the protection against bacterial and fungal infections as well as against the adverse influences of ultraviolet radiation. The disturbance of the barrier function may lead to the development of various disorders of the skin. This article gives the information about factors leading to the barrier function disturbance, about the results of this disturbance as well as about the possibilities of its prevention and barrier reparation in clinical practice.

Keywords: physiology of the skin, skin barrier