The skin as a barrier: What does it mean when it fails when lymphoedema is present?

<p>The skin is a barrier and a primitive immunosurveillance organ. When in good health at rest, the skin has no reason to undergo repair. Stretching, compression or stimuli such as stripping with tape or exposure to UVB switch on the repair mode (Ryan, 2004). After a short period, often measured in hours, mitoses appear and cytokine production stimulates the dermis into activity. The resulting inflammation heats the tissue and recruits white cells.</p>