Disorders

abscess

localized collection of pus in a body part; frequently associated with swelling and inflammation

acne

inflammatory papular and pustular eruption of the skin

albinism

partial or total absence of pigment of the skin, hair, and eyes

alopecia

partial or complete loss of hair; baldness

benign

nonmalignant type of tumor

bulla

raised, fluid-filled lesion >1cm in diameter

carcinoma

malignant neoplasm derived from epithelial cells

comedo

blackhead; dilated hair follicle filled with bacteria; primary lesion in acne

contact dermatitis

inflammation of the skin

cyanosis

abnormal condition signaled by bluish discoloration of tissue

cyst

closed sac or pouch in or under the skin that contains fluid or solid material

decubitus ulcers

chronic ulcers that appear in pressure areas over a bony prominence in immobilized patients

dermatomycosis

fungal infection of the skin

diaphoresis

synonym for perspiration

ecchymosis

a purple patch more than 3mm in diameter caused by blood under the skin

eczema

inflammatory condition of skin characterized by erythema, vesicles, and crusting with scales

epidermitis

inflammation of the epidermis

erythema

abnormal redness of the skin

erythematous

relating to or marked by erythema

excoriation

scratch mark; linear break in the skin

fissure

a break in the skin

hemangioma

benign tumor of blood vessels; birthmark

herpes zoster

viral infection producing the eruption of highly painful vesicles that may follow a nerve pain (shingles)

hyperhidrosis

profuse sweating; increased or excessive persperation; may be caused by heat, menopause, or infection

ichthyosis

abnormally dry skin; scaly

impetigo

inflammatory skin disease with pustules that rupture and become crusted

keloid

overgrowth of scar tissue

lesions

wound, injury, or pathologic change in body tissue

macule

flat, discolored area that is flush with the skin; birthmark, freckle

malignant melanoma

tumor of the melanocytes; dark-pigmented, irregular-shaped lesion

nevus

mole

nodule

a small node or circumscribed swelling

onychomalacia

softening of the nails

onychopathy

any disease of the nails

papule

small, circumscribed solid elevation of the skin

paronychia

infection around a nail

petechiae

tiny hemorrhagic spots on the skin <3mm in diameter

plaque

flat or slightly raised lesion >1cm in diameter

polyp

a mass of tissue that bulges outward from the skin’s surface on a stem or stalk of mucous membrane

prurigo

a chronic disease of the skin marked by a persistent eruption of papules that itch intensely

pruritic

relating to pruritus

pruritus

itching

psoriasis

chronic skin disease characterized by itchy, red, silvery-scaled patches

pustule

small circumscribed elevation of the skin containing pus

scabies

contagious infection caused by a mite

scleroderma

chronic disease characterized by thickening and hardening of the skin

shingles

viral infection producing the eruption of highly painful vesicles that may follow a nerve path

systemic lupus erythematosus

inflammatory disease characterized by scaly red patches on the skin, especially the face, and affecting connective tissue in organs

tinea

any fungal infection of the skin

ulcer

an open sore or lesion of the skin; a lesion through the skin or a mucous membrane resulting from loss of tissue

urticaria

hives

verruca

wart; caused by a virus

vesicle

small, fluid-filled, raised lesion; a blister

vitiligo

localized loss of skin pigmentation characterized by milk-white patches

wheal

smooth, rounded, slightly elevated area often associated with itching