chapter 4: Skin disorders and diseases

acne

also known as acne vuclgaris: skin disorder chararacterized by chronic inflammation of the sebaceous glands from 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

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

anaerobic

cannot survive in the presence of oxygen.

anhidrosis

deficiency in perspiration 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

plural: bullae; 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 aging; similar to melasma.

cicatrix

also known as scar; lightly raised mark on the skin formed after an injury or skin lesion has healed.

conjunctivitis

also known as pinkeye; infection of the eye(s) 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

also known as sebaceous cyst; large, protruding, pocketlike lesion filled with keratin; frequently seen on the scalp and back.

exocriation

skin sore or abrasion produced by scratching or scraping

extrinsic factors

environmental factors that contribute to aging skin aging.

fissure

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

free radicals

unstable molecules that cause biochemical aging, especially wrinkling and skin sagging.

herpes simplex 1

recurring viral infection that often presents as a 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-aging factors over which there is little control.

irritant contact dermatitis

abbreviated 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

singular: lentigo; technical term for freckles - small yellow to brown spots on skin exposed to sunlight and air.

lessions

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 (hypopigmentaion) ; 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 dark brown patches that are uneven, jagged, or raised.

melasma

also referred to as a 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 the epidermis with no visible opening.

miliaria rubra

also known as 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

also known as a birthmark; malformation of the skin due to irregular pigmentation or dilated capillaries.

nodule

solid bump on the skin larger than 0.4 inch (1 centimeter) that can be easily 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 are 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 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

formerly called acne rosacea, chronic condition that appears primarily on the cheeks and nose; characterized by flushing (redness); telangiectasia (distended or dilated surface blood vessels): and in some cases the formation of papules and pustules.

scale

any thin, dry, or oily plate of epidermal flakes; as example is irregular or excessive dandruff.

scar

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

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/or itchiness.

secondary skin lesions

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

sensitization

allergic reaction created by repeated exposure to a chemical or 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 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 pigment of skin caused by exposure to the sun or ultraviolet light.

telangiectasia

condition involving visible capillaries, 0.02 to 0.04 inch (0.5 to 1.0 millimeter) in diameter, commonly found on the face, particularly around the nose, cheeks, and chin.

tubercle

closed, irregularly developed sac that contains pus, semifluid, or morbid matter, above or below the skin; cannot be drained.

tumor

any type of 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

also known as 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) spots and splotches on the skin.

wheal

itchy, swollen lesion caused by a blow or scratch, insect bite, or urticaria (skin allergy), examples include hives and mosquito bites.