acne: A common inflammation of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles.
acne conglobata: Severe, chronic acne characterized by large, burrowing abscesses associated with disfigurement. Also called cystic acne.
acne keloid: A disorder in which secondary pyogenic infection in and around pilosebaceous structures ends in keloid scarring. Often develops at the hairline on the back of the neck.
acrodermatitis: Chronic inflammation of the skin of the hands and feet. Caused by a parasitic mite. A manifestation of Lyme disease.
actinic keratosis: Pre-cancerous patch of thick, scaly, or crusty skin secondary to extensive sun exposure
actinomycosis: A chronic bacterial disease, often found on the abdomen, thorax and jaw. Characterized by lumpy, deep abscesses that discharge pus.
adenocarcinoma: A malignant epithelial tumor with a glandular growth pattern.
albinism: Genetic disorders causing the skin, hair, or eyes to have little or no color.
algid: Cold, clammy skin associated with some types of malaria.
aloe: The dried juice of aloe plant leaves. Used to treat minor wounds, burns and skin irritations.
alopecia: A disorder in which the immune system attacks hair follicles in the scalp.
anetoderma: Benign dermatosis caused by a loss of dermal elastic tissue resulting in localized sac-like areas of flaccid skin.
angioedema: Swelling involving the deep dermis, subcutaneous, or submucosal tissues, representing localized edema. It often occurs in the face, lips, tongue, and larynx.
angiokeratoma: A benign vascular, horny neoplasm of the skin often found on the legs and feet.
angioma: A usually benign tumor consisting of blood vessels and lymph nodes.
angiomyoma: A benign tumor consisting of vascular and smooth muscle elements.
antiperspirants: Agents that are put on the skin to reduce sweating.
antipruritic: An agent that relieves itching. Usually topical.
apocrine glands: Sweat glands that only occur in hairy parts of the body.
argyria: A permanent ashen-gray discoloration of the skin, conjunctiva, and internal organs due to ingestion of or exposure to silver salts.
barrier cream: Lotions and ointments used to protect the skin from allergens and irritants.
basal cell carcinoma: A malignant tumor. A common form of skin cancer. Metastasis is rare.
birthmark: A benign skin blemish present at birth.
blackhead: A plug of fatty material in the outlet of the sebaceous gland in the skin. Comedo.
blister: Visible accumulations of watery fluid within or beneath the epidermis.
boil: A tender, inflamed area of skin that contains pus.
bruise: A contusion.
bulla: A fluid-filled blister with a diameter over 5 mm.
burn: Tissue injury caused by heat, cold, chemicals, electricity, radiation and ultraviolet light.
Bx: biopsy
calamine: A lotion or ointment used as mild astringent on the skin.
capillary hemangioma: A common benign tumors of infancy caused by an abnormal buildup of blood vessels under the skin. Also called a 'strawberry mark'.
carbuncle: A skin infection that often involves a group of hair follicles. The infected material forms a lump, which occurs deep in the skin and may contain pus.
cellulitis: A common skin infection caused by bacteria. It affects the middle layer of the skin (dermis) and the tissues below. S
chafing: Irritation of the skin due to rubbing against skin or clothing.
chancre: The primary sore of syphilis. A painless ulcer occurring at the site of entry of the infection.
chancroid: Acute, highly contagious bacterial disease usually acquired through sexual contact. A venereal ulcer.
chapped: Relating to a dry, cracked, reddish skin condition, usually of the hands, caused by excessive moisture evaporation or cold.
chigger: A blood sucking stage of mites.
chloasma: A condition in which brown patches appear on the face. Can be caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy or from sun exposure.
-chroia: skin coloration
cicatrix: A scar left after the healing of a wound.
comedo: A blackhead.
complexion: The color, texture and overall appearance of facial skin.
contusion: Injury caused by a blow to the body but that does not break the skin. A bruise. Characterized by swelling, pain and discoloration.
cutane/o: skin
dander: Fine, dry scales from the scalp.
dandruff: Excessive shedding of dry scaly material from the scalp.
debridement: A procedure used to remove dead tissue and contaminated substances from a wound, by soaking or excising.
deet: A common insect repellent.
deodorant: A substance that represses or masks odors.
Derm: dermatology
derm/o: skin
derma-: skin
dermat/o: skin
dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin. May be caused by allergic reaction, drugs, infection or sun exposure.
dermatology: A medical specialty concerned with the structure, functions, diseases and treatment of the skin.
dermis: A layer of vascularized connective tissue underneath the epidermis. Embedded in or beneath it are glands, hair follicles, nerves and lymphatic vessels.
desmosomes: An area of contact between adjacent cells, particularly epithelia.
diaper rash: Dermatitis of the buttocks and thighs due to contact with urine or feces.
diaphoresis: Profuse sweating that is artificially induced.
dysplastic nevi: Unusual, benign moles that may resemble melanoma.
ecchymosis: Discolored skin due to subcutaneous bleeding larger than 1cm. Commonly called a bruise.
eccrine glands: Simple sweat glands that secrete sweat directly onto the skin.
eczema: Inflammation of the skin. Multiple causes.
electrolysis: Destruction by using a galvanic electric current.
epidermis: The superficial avascular layers of the skin,
epilation: Removal of a hair by its roots.
epitheli/o: epithelium
epithelium: layers of cells that line hollow organs and glands. It is also those cells that make up the outer surface of the body
erysipelas: An acute infection of the skin characterized by fever, headache, vomiting, and purplish raised lesions.
erythema: Redness of the skin that results from capillary congestion.
erythrasma: A chronic bacterial infection of major folds of the skin.
erythroderma: An intense and usually widespread reddening of the skin.
eschar: A dry scab formed on the skin following a burn or cauterization of the skin
eschar/o: scab
exanthem: A widespread rash that is usually accompanied by symptoms that include fever, malaise and headache.
exanthema: Eruption on the skin occurring as a symptom of a disease
excoriation: An abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off
exfoliation: To remove a layer of skin.
exfoliative dermatitis: A widespread scaling of the skin, often with itching (pruritus), skin redness (erythroderma), and hair loss.
flush: A transient reddening of the face. A blush.
follicul/o: follicle (small cavity)
folliculitis: An infection in the hair follicles.
furuncles: A boil, which are bacterial or fungal infections of hair follicles.
granuloma: A clump of cells that forms when the immune system fights harmful substance but cannot remove it from the body. Often foreign bodies stimulate these cells.
hair: A threadlike specialized epidermal structure developing from a papilla sunk in the dermis.
hair follicle: A tube-like invagination of the epidermis from which the hair shaft develops and into which the sebaceous glands open. The hair follicle is lined by a cellular inner and outer root sheath of epidermal origin and is invested with a fibrous sheath derived from the dermis.
halitosis: A foul breath odor resulting from poor oral hygiene, dental or oral infections, or the ingestion of certain foods.
hematoma: An abnormal collection of blood outside of a blood vessel. A bruise.
hidr/o: sweat
hidrocystoma: A cystic form of sweat gland adenoma, created by the cystic proliferation of apocrine secretory glands.
hidrosis: The production and excretion of sweat.
hidrotic: Relating to or causing sweating.
hirsutism: Excessive hairiness in women, usually caused by hormonal imbalance.
hyalin: A translucent substance occurring in pathological degeneration of tissues.
hyperhidrosis: Excessive sweating.
hyperpigmentation: Excessive pigmentation of the skin, usually as a result of increased epidermal or dermal melanin pigmentation, hypermelanosis. The condition may arise from exposure to the sun.
hypertrichosis: Excessive hair growth at inappropriate locations.
hypohidrosis: Abnormally low or absent perspiration.
hypotrichosis: Less than the normal amount of hair.
ichthyosis: A family of skin disorders characterized by dry, thickened skin.
impetigo: A contagious skin condition common in children, caused by streptococcus, staphylococcus.
integumentary system: The outer covering of the body composed of the skin and the skin appendages, which are the hair, the nails; and the sebaceous glands and the sweat glands and their ducts.
intertrigo: A superficial dermatitis occurring in areas where skin surfaces come into contact with, and chafe, each other. The condition is caused by moisture and friction.
intraductal papilloma: Benign tumors that grow within the breast ducts
iodine: A nonmetallic element of the halogen group that is represented by the atomic symbol I, atomic number 53. In a solution, it is anti-infective and is used topically.
keloid: An overgrowth of scar tissue that develops around a wound
keratosis: Any horny growth of the skin such as a wart or callus.
koilonychia: A disease of the fingernails, where they become thin and concave.
labial: Pertaining to the lips.
labrum: A lip.
lentigo: A small, flat, pigmented spot on the skin.
lichen: Any of various papular skin disease in which the lesions are typically small, firm papules set very close together.
liniments: Heat-generating liquids that are applied to the skin.
lip/o: fat, lipid
lipedema: A chronic disease that occurs mostly in females. It is characterized by bilateral, symmetrical fatty tissue excess, mainly in the legs.
lipoma: A noncancerous growth of fatty tissue cells. Occurs over area of past trauma.
lupus: Any of a group of inflammatory autoimmune disorders can affect the skin, joints and internal organs.
macule: Small flat skin spots on the skin.
malignant melanoma: The most dangerous form of skin cancer. Melanomas are usually brown or black, but can appear pink, tan, or even white.
melan/o: black, dark
melanoma: A malignant, rapidly growing neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites.
melanosis: Disorders of increased melanin pigmentation that develop without preceding inflammatory disease.
micrococcus: A genus of gram-positive, spherical bacteria found in soils and fresh water, and frequently on the skin of man and other animals.
mites: They are minute animals related to the spiders, usually having transparent or semitransparent bodies. They may be parasitic on humans , producing various irritations of the skin.
myc/o: fungus
necrobiotic disorders: A group of disorders characterized by swelling, basophilia, and distortion of collagen bundles in the dermis.
necrotizing fasciitis: A rare but serious infection caused by bacteria. It destroys skin, fat and tissue covering muscles.
neurodermatitis: An extremely variable eczematous skin disease that is presumed to be a response to prolonged vigorous scratching, rubbing, or pinching to relieve intense pruritus.
nevus: A malformation of skin that is present at birth, including moles and birthmarks.
ochronosis: The discoloration of body tissues,due to a metabolism disorder.
onych/o: fingernail, toenail
onychocryptosis: An ingrown toenail.
onychomycosis: A fungal infection of the nails.
pachy-: thick
pallor: A clinical manifestation consisting of an unnatural paleness of the skin.
panniculitis: General term for inflammation of adipose tissue, usually of the skin, characterized by reddened subcutaneous nodules.
papilloma: A benign epithelial tumor derived from epithelium and projecting from the surrounding surface
papul/o: papule, pimple
papule: A solid raised lesion that has distinct borders and is less than 1 cm in diameter.
paronychia: An infection of the skin around a fingernail or toenail.
pediculosis: Head lice.
pemphigus: Any of several rare diseases characterized by groups of itching blisters.
perleche: Fissures and cracks at the corner of the mouth
petechia: A small, round, dark-red spot caused by intradermal or submucous hemorrhage.
petechiae: Tiny flat round red spots under the skin surface caused by intradermal hemorrhage. Spots do NOT blanch with pressure.
pil/o: hair
piloerection: The standing up of hairs on the skin
pilonidal sinus: A hair-containing cyst or sinus, occurring chiefly in the coccygeal region.
pinta: A contagious bacterial skin disease prevalent in tropical America.
pityriasis: Any of a group of skin diseases characterized by the formation of fine, branny scales. This term is but only with a modifier.
porokeratosis: A rare, chronic, progressive autosomal dominant skin disorder market by craterlike patches.
poroma: A neoplasm of cells lining the skin openings of sweat glands.
pressure ulcer: An ulcer that appears in the skin over a bony prominence due to compression and inadequate blood perfusion. Bedridden or chair bound patients are at risk. Also called bedsore.
prurigo: A chronic inflammation of the skin characterized by a persistent eruption of papules that itch intensely.
pruritus: Itch.
psor/o: itching
psoriasis: A skin disease that causes itchy patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales on the scalp and flexor joint surfaces.
purpura: Blood spots on the skin that are purple-colored, between 4-10 mm resembling bruising.
purulent: Pertaining to pus.
PUVA: psoralen ultraviolet A
py/o: pus
pyoderma: Any purulent skin disease.
rash: A temporary eruption of spots on the skin.
rhytid/o: wrinkle
rhytidectomy: A facelift.
rosacea: A common, chronic skin condition characterized by facial redness and often small, red pus-filled bumps. Also known as "Adult Acne".
scabies: Itchy skin caused by a tiny burrowing mite. Symptoms worse at night.
scar: A permanent mark remaining after a wound heals.
scleroderma: An autoimmune, chronic disease that affects the body by hardening connective tissue.
seb/o: sebum, oil, fatty
sebaceous glands: Small, sacculated organs found within the dermis. Each gland has a single duct that opens into a hair follicle or onto the general surface of the skin. These glands secrete sebum, an oily lubricating substance.
seborrhea: A common skin problem that causes a red, itchy rash and white scales. On the scalp, it is called dandruff.
sebum: The oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands. It is composed of keratin, fat, and cellular debris.
skin: The tough, supple, outer covering of the body that protects it from the environment. It is the largest organ of the body and is composed of the dermis and the epidermis.
SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus
SPF: skin protection factor
sq: squamous
squam/o: scaly
squamous cell carcinoma: Most squamous cell cancers occur on skin that is regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation. It is the second most common type of cancer in the United States.
steatoma: A cyst or tumor of the sebaceous gland.
subcutaneous: Beneath the skin.
sunburn: An injury to the skin due to excessive sun exposure, causing erythema, tenderness, and sometimes blistering.
supf.: superficial
sycosis: Inflammation of hair follicles.
systemic lupus erythematosus: An autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.
TEN: toxic epidermal necrolysis
tinea: A fungal skin infection, including ringworm, athlete's foot and jock itch.
transdermal: Entering through the skin.
trich/o: hair
ungu/o: nail
ungual: Pertaining to the nails.
unguis: A nail.
urticaria: Hives, which are welts on the skin that often itch
UV: ultraviolet
verrucae: Plantar warts that commonly occur on the soles of the feet or around the toe area.
vitiligo: A chronic disease that causes white patches develop on the skin.
wart: Benign epidermal growth.
weal: A bump raised on the skin caused by a lash or blow.
wheal: A small swelling on the skin, as from an insect bite, that usually itches
xer/o: dry
xeroderma: An inherited condition characterized by an extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet rays from sunlight.
