Skin is the body’s external protection. It regulates body temperature and it acts as a sensory organ for pain, temperature, and touch. Note that skin includes hair, scalp and nails.

Inspection of skin includes: visualization, touch, and smell.

Skin hair and nails can be affected by changes in circulation, nutrition, hydration, oxygenation, and trauma.

The basics of assessment include observation for dryness, breaks, sores, rashes, redness, infection, colour and inadequate hygiene.

Skin: check for colour, (ivory to pink in light skin and light to light to dark brown in dark skin); temperature, (which is influenced by blood flow), moisture (wetness & oiliness), texture (smooth, rough, hardened, edematous/swollen, evidence of lesion

Hair: check for distribution, thickness, lubrication, (hormone disorders may affect distribution and growth e.g. thyroid disease). Scalp disease can result in hair loss. Thinning of hair is often related to endocrine disorders including diabetes. Poor nutrition can cause stringy, dull, dry and thin hair.

Nails: check for colour, cleanliness, thickness, shape. Nails should be smooth, rounded, cuticle without inflammation. Nail beds should be pink in whites, brown or black dark-skinned persons

Callus: common to toes and fingers is a thickening of the epidermis

Corns: result of pressure and friction, found on bony prominences