Skin - disorders and diseases

conjunctivitis

also known as pinkeye; infection of the eye(s) that may be caused by bacteria or virus; can be extremely contageous

acne

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

leukoderma

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

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

contact dermatitis

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

hypopigmentation

lack of pigment that results in light or white splotches

herpes simplex I

recurring viral infection that often presents as a fever blister or cold sore

irritant contact dermatitis

abbreviated ICD; occurs when irritating substances temporarily damage the epidermis

mole

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

bulla

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

nodule

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

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

lesions

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

epidermoid cyst

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

pustule

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

keratoma

acquired superficial thickened patch of epidermis; a callus

keloid

thick scar resulting from excessive growth of fibrous tissue

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 lesion

primary lesions

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

basal cell carcinoma

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

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

milia

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

telangiectasia

vitiligo

hereditary condition that causes hypopigmented (milky white) spots and splotches on the skin

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

psoriasis

bromhidrosis

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

scale

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

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

vesicle

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

nevus

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

keratoma

acquired superficial thickened patch of epidermis; a callus

impetigo

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

crust

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

dermatitis

inflammatory condition of the skin

seborrheic dermatitis

seborrheic dermatitis

tan

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

tubercle

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

free radicals

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

noncomedogenic

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

excoriation

skin sore or abrasion produced by scratching or scraping

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

anhidrosis

deficiency in perspiration or the inability to sweat; often a result of damage to autonomic nerves

verruca

also known as wart; hypertrophy of the papillae and epidermis; caused by a virus

primary lesions

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

hyperhidrosis

excessive sweating caused by heat or general body weakness

sensitization

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

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

extrinsic factors

environmental factors that contribute to aging skin aging

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 lesion

lentigines

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

intrinsic factors

skin-aging factors over which there is little control

eczema

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

tumor

any type of irregular mass varying in size, shape, and color

cyst

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

allergic contact dermatitis

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

epidermoid cyst

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

sebaceous cyst

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

macule

plural: maculae (mak-yuh-ly); flat spot or skin discoloration, such as a freckle or ”liver” spot, age spot

anaerobic

cannot survive in the presence of oxygen

mole

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

malignant melanoma

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

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

fissure

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

wheal

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

skin tag

small brown or flesh-colored outgrowth of skin