Gerstein Francine - My Itchy Body

Text copyright 2012 by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein MD
Illustrations copyright 2012 by Joe Weissmann

Published in Canada by Tundra Books, a Division of Random House of Canada Limited One Toronto Street, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2V6

Published in the United States by Tundra Books of Northern New York, P.O. Box 1030, Plattsburgh, New York 12901

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011938773

All rights reserved. The use of any part of this publication reproduced, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or stored in a retrieval system, without the prior written consent of the publisher or, in case of photocopying or other reprographic copying, a licence from the Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency is an infringement of the copyright law.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Fromer, Liza
My itchy body / Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein; illustrated by Joe Weissmann.

(Body works)
eISBN: 978-1-77049-369-8

1. Skin Juvenile literature. 2. Skin Diseases Juvenile literature. 3. Human body Juvenile literature. 4. Human physiology Juvenile literature. I. Weissmann, Joe, 1947- II. Gerstein, Francine III. Title. IV. Series: Body works (Toronto, Ont.)

QP88.5.F76 2012 j612.79 C2011-906499-5

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund and that of the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Media Development Corporations Ontario Book Initiative. We further acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council for our publishing program.

v3.1

For Samson and Ever, may you always be curious
L.F.

For my three special boys, Parnicus, Potaten, and The Jonester
F.G.

For Judy and Mathieu
J.W.

Also available in this Body Works series by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein MD, illustrated by Joe Weissmann

Authors Note

The information in this book is to help you understand your body and learn why it works the way it does.

Its important that you see your family doctor at least once each year. If youre worried about your health or think you might be sick, speak to an adult and see your doctor.

Everyone knows what it feels like to be itchy. But what exactly is an itch? Generally, its defined as an irritating feeling on your skin that makes you want to scratch. Its not a comfortable sensation. Sometimes the part of you that is itchy is covered in a rash. Other times it may look pretty normal but it could become red and scaly if you scratch it too much.

Itchy skin (MT: pruritus) can last a few seconds or a long time. And sometimes scratching an itch can make it even itchier. This is called the scratch-itch cycle and it can be difficult to stop.

If you get an itch, you should try to find out whats causing it so you can make it better right away. There are hundreds of causes of itches.

By the way

When you see MT in this book, it stands for Medical Term.

Normal, healthy skin is covered in a thin layer of natural oil (MT: sebum), which is produced by sebaceous glands in the skin. This sebum keeps in moisture and makes your skin soft and waterproof.

Taking too many baths or swimming for long periods of time can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause dryness (MT: xeroderma). Visiting a climate where the air doesnt have a lot of moisture (humidity) in it, like the desert, can dry out your skin, too. Dry skin can also be caused by sunburn, certain medications, and medical conditions, such as diabetes mellitus. Dry skin might feel tight and uncomfortable, and it can look dull, pink, or flaky.

Dry skin is very common and can usually be treated with moisturizers. Having showers instead of baths can also help. Make sure the water isnt too hot, and stay in the shower for only a few minutes. Mild, fragrance-free soaps are best.

Dry skin is most common in the winter because of the dry, cold air outside and the dry, warm air inside, which comes from the furnace.

Your skin is your bodys suit of armor against bacteria.

(True. Cracked, dry skin is more prone to infection.)

Doctor says:

The best time to apply moisturizer is right after a bath or shower, when your skin is still a bit wet. The moisturizer will help your body absorb the water on your skin.

Skin inflammation (MT: dermatitis) is your bodys way of responding to things that bother it like infection, injury, or irritation. Even though it may not sound like it, inflammation is your bodys way of trying to protect itself. The classic signs of skin inflammation are redness, swelling, warmth, and pain.

There are different types of dermatitis. Two common types are contact dermatitis (caused by substances that contact, or touch, your skin) and atopic dermatitis (otherwise known as eczema).

There are two types of contact dermatitis: allergic and irritant. Both types can cause itchiness, redness, dryness, scaling, swelling, and blistering.