cp. 4 Skin Disorders and Diseases

Acne

aka acne vulgaris; skin disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the sebaceous glands from the retained secretions and bacteria

Albinism

congenital hypopigmentation, a rare genetic condition characterized by absence of melanin pigment in the body, including the skin, hair, and eyes.

Allergic contact dermatitis

ACD; an allergy to an ingredient or chemical, usually caused by repeated skin contact with the chemical

Anaerobic

cannot survive in the presence of oxygen

Anhidrosis

Deficiency in perspirations or the inability to sweat; often a result of damage to autonomic nerves

Basal cell carcinoma

Most common and least severe type of skin cancer; often characterized by light or pearly nodules

Bromhidrosis

Foul-smelling perspiration, usually noticeable in the armpits or on the feet; generally caused by bacteria

Bulla

large blister containing a watery fluid; similar to a vesicle; requires medical referral

Chloasma

A condition characterized by hyperpigmentation in spots that are not elevated and is generally caused by cumulative sun exposure or ageing; similar to melasma

Cicatrix

aka a scar; lightly raised mark on the skin formed after an injury or skin lesion has healed

Conjunctivitis

aka pinkeye; infection of the eyes that may be caused by bacteria or virus; can be extremely contagious

Contact dermatitis

inflammation of the skin caused by having contact with certain chemicals or substances

Crust

Dead cells that form over a wound or blemish while healing; accumulation of sebum and pus, sometimes mixed with epidermal cells

Cyst

closed, irregularly developed sac that contains fluid, pus, semifluid, or morbid matter above or below the skin; requires medical referral

Dermatitis

Inflammatory condition of the skin

Eczema

Uncomfortable inflammatory disease of the skin that is often chronic; characterized by moderate to severe inflammation, scaling and sometimes severe itching

Epidermoid cyst

aka sebaceous cyst; large, protruding, pocketlike lesion filled with keratin; frequently see on the scalp and back

Excoriation

Skin sore or abrasion produced by scratching or scraping

Extrinsic factors

Environmental factors that contribute to ageing skin aging

Fissure

crack in the skin that penetrates the dermis; ex. severely cracked skin or chapped hands/lips

Free radicals

unstable molecules that cause biochemical ageing, especially wrinkling and skin sagging

Herpes simplex 1

Recurring viral infection that often presents as fever blister or cold sore

Hyperhidrosis

Excessive sweating caused by heat or general body weakness

Hyperpigmentation

Overproduction of pigment; appears as dark splotches

Hypertrophy

Irregular growth of the skin

Hypopigmentation

lack of pigment that results in light or white splotches

Impetigo

Contagious bacterial skin infection characterized by weeping lesions; usually caused by Staphylococcus bacteria

Intrinsic factors

skin ageing factors over which there i9s little control

Irritant contact dermatitis

ICD; occurs when irritating substances temporarily damage the epidermis

Keloid

Thick scar resulting from excessive growth of fibrous tissue

Keratoma

Acquired superficial thickened patch of epidermis; a callus

Lentigines

Technical term for freckles, small brown or yellow spots on skin exposed to sunlight and air

Lesions

Marks on the skin; may indicate an injury or damage that changes the structure of tissues or organs

Leukoderma

Skin disorder characterized by light or white irregular patches (hyperpigmentation); caused by a burn, scar, inflammation, or congenital disease

Macule

Flat spot or skin discoloration, such as a freckle or “liver” spot, age spot

Malignant Melanoma

Most serious form of skin cancer; often characterized by black or brown patches that are uneven, jagged, or raised

Melasma

also referred to as pregnancy mask; a form of hyperpigmentation that is characterized by bilateral patches of brown pigmentation on the cheeks, jawline, forehead, and upper lip due to hormonal imbalances such as pregnancy or birth control pills

Milia

Benign(harmless) keratin-filled cysts that appear just under epidermis with no visible opening

Miliaria Rubra

Aka prickly heat; acute inflammatory disorder of the sweat glands characterized by the eruption of small red vesicles accompanied by and burning and itching

Mole

Small spot or blemish on the skin ranging in color from pale tan to brown or bluish black

Nevus

Aka birthmark; malformation of the skin due to irregular pigmentation or dilated capillaries

Nodule

Solid bump on the skin larger that .4 inch (1cm) that can easily be felt

Noncomedogenic

Product that has been designed and proven to not clog the follicles

Papule

Small skin elevation that contains no fluid but may develop pus

Primary lesions

Lesions that are a different color than the color of the skin and/or raised above the surface of the skin

Psoriasis

Skin disease characterized by red patches covered with silver-white scales; usually found on the scalp, elbows, knees, chest, and lower back

Pustule

Raised, inflamed papule with a white or yellow center containing pus in the top of the lesion

Retention hyperkeratosis

Hereditary tendency for acne-prone skin to retain dead cells in the follicle, forming an obstruction that clogs follicles and exacerbates inflammatory acne lesions such as papules and pustules

Rosacea

Aka acne rosacea; chronic condition that appears primarily on the cheeks and nose; characterized by flushing, telangiectasia and in some cases the formation of papules and pustules

Scale

Any thin, dry, or oily plate of epidermal flakes; ex. irregular or excessive dandruff

Scar

Aka cicatrix; lightly raised mark or depressed skin area formed as a result of the healing process related to an injury or lesion

Sebaceous cyst

Large protruding pocketlike lesion filled with sebum; frequently seen on the scalp and back

Seborrheic dermatitis

Skin condition caused by an inflammation of the sebaceous glands; often characterized by redness, dry or oily scaling, crusting, stubborn dandruff, and itching

Secondary skin lesions

Characterized by an accumulation of material on the skin surface, such as a crust or scab, or by depressions in the skin surface, such as a ulcer

Sensitization

Allergic reaction created by repeated exposure to a chemical or a substance

Skin tag

Small brown or flesh-colored outgrowth of skin

Squamous cell carcinoma

Type of skin cancer more serious than basal cell carcinoma; often characterized by scaly red papules or nodules; can be spread to other parts of the body

Stain

Irregular brown or wine-colored skin discoloration with a circular and/or irregular shape

Tan

Change in the pigmentation of skin caused by exposure to the sun or ultraviolet light

Telangiectasia

Condition involving visible capillaries, .02 to .04 inch (.5-1mm) in diameter, commonly found on the face, particularly around the nose, cheeks, and chin

Tubercule

Closed, irregular developed sac that contains pus, semifluid, or morbid matter, above or below the skin; cannot be drained

Tumor

Any type or irregular mass varying in size, shape, and color

Ulcer

Open lesion on the skin or mucous membrane of the body, accompanied by pus and loss of skin depth and possibly weeping fluids or pus

Verruca

Aka wart; hypertrophy of the papillae and epidermis; caused by a virus

Vesicle

Small blister or sac containing clear fluid, lying within or just beneath the epidermis

Vitiligo

Hereditary condition that causes hypopigmented (milky white) splotches ont he skin

Wheal

Itchy, swollen lesion caused by a blow or scratch, insect bite, or urticaria (skin allergy) ex. hives/ mosquito bite