Having healthy skin is not just about appearances. Every human adult has over 1.5 metres of skin containing nerve endings, hair follicles, sweat glands and blood vessels. It is the largest organ in the human body.

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) has produced new member pharmacy resources highlighting the importance of healthy skin. The Focus on Skin handbook and posters are a way community pharmacists can help patients with skin problems - from acne and insect bites to psoriasis.

Healthy, undamaged skin is a key factor in maintaining good health - it's not simply about looking good. At all stages of our lives, it is important to protect and value the skin we have. The Focus on Skin handbook is a training resource for pharmacy staff. It includes information about the management of common skin conditions that pharmacy staff can provide advice on.

The Focus on Skin campaign is the latest in the Guild's "Focus" series. It promotes the role of community pharmacy as the health professional people see most often.

The Focus on Skin resources include handbooks for pharmacy staff and four posters of different sizes. Earlier promotional material on joints, eyes and feet can still be ordered on the Guild's website www.pgnz.org.nz.