dermatitis (der-ma-TĪ-tis)
inflammation of the skin
dermatofibroma (der-ma-tō-fī-BRŌ-ma)
fibrous tumor of the skin
hidradenitis (hī-drad-e-NĪ-tis)
inflammation of a sweat gland
keratosis (ker-a-TŌ-sis)
abnormal condition (growth) of horny tissue (keratin)
onychocryptosis (on-i-kō-krip-TŌ-sis)
abnormal condition of a hidden nail (also called ingrown nail)
onychomalacia (on-i-kō-ma-LĀ-sha)
softening of the nails
onychomycosis (on-i-kō-mī-KŌ-sis)
abnormal condition of a fungus in the nails
onychophagia (on-i-kō-FĀ-ja)
eating the nails (nail biting)
pachyderma (pak-i-DER-ma)
thickening of the skin
paronychia (par-ō-NIK-ē-a)
diseased state around the nail (Note: the a from para- has been dropped.)
scleroderma (skle-rō-DER-ma)
hard skin (chronic hardening or induration of the connective tissue of the skin and other organs)
seborrhea (seb-o-RĒ-a)
discharge of sebum (excessive)
xanthoma (zan-THŌ-ma)
yellow tumor (benign, primarily in the skin)
xeroderma (zē-rō-DER-ma)
dry skin (a mild form of a cutaneous disorder characterized by keratinization and noninflammatory scaling)
abrasion (a-BRĀ-zhun)
scraping away of the skin by mechanical process or injury
acne (AK-nē)
inflammatory disease of the skin involving the sebaceous glands and hair follicles
actinic keratosis (ack-TIN-ik) (ker-a-TŌ-sis)
precancerous skin condition of horny tissue formation that results from excessive exposure to sunlight. It may evolve into a squamous cell carcinoma.
albinism (AL-bi-niz-um)
congenital hereditary condition characterized by partial or total lack of pigment (melanin) in the skin, hair, and eyes
basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (BĀ-sal) (sel) (kar-si-NŌ-ma)
malignant epithelial tumor arising from the bottom layer of the epidermis called the basal layer; it seldom metastasizes, but invades local tissue and may recur in the same location. Common in individuals who have had excessive sun exposure.
candidiasis (kan-di-DĪ-a-sis)
infection of the skin, mouth (also called thrush), or vagina caused by the yeast-type fungus Candida albicans. Candida is normally present in the mucous membranes; overgrowth causes an infection. Esophageal candidiasis is often seen in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
carbuncle (KAR-bung-kl)
infection of skin and subcutaneous tissue composed of a cluster of boils (furuncles, see below) caused by staphylococcal bacteria
cellulitis (sel-ū-LĪ-tis)
inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by infection; characterized by redness, pain, heat, and swelling
contusion (kon-TŪ-zhun)
injury with no break in the skin, characterized by pain, swelling, and discoloration (also called a bruise)
eczema (EK-ze-ma)
noninfectious, inflammatory skin disease characterized by redness, blisters, scabs, and itching
fissure (FISH-ur)
slit or cracklike sore in the skin
furuncle (FER-ung-kl)
painful skin nodule caused by staphylococcal bacteria in a hair follicle (also called a boil)
gangrene (GANG-grēn)
death of tissue caused by loss of blood supply followed by bacterial invasion (a form of necrosis)
herpes (HER-pēz)
inflammatory skin disease caused by herpes virus characterized by small blisters in clusters. Many types of herpes exist. Herpes simplex virus type 1, for example, causes fever blisters; herpes zoster, also called shingles, is characterized by painful skin eruptions that follow nerves inflamed by the virus.
impetigo (im-pe-TĪ-gō)
superficial skin infection characterized by pustules and caused by either staphylococci or streptococci
Kaposi sarcoma (KAP-ō-sē) (sar-KŌ-ma)
cancerous condition starting as purple or brown papules that spreads through the skin to the lymph nodes and internal organs; frequently seen with AIDS
keloid (KĒ-loyd)
overgrowth of scar tissue
laceration (las-er-Ā-shun)
torn, ragged-edged wound
measles (MĒ-zalz)
highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, runny nose, cough, and a spreading skin rash. It is a potentially disastrous disease which can lead to pneumonia, severe bleeding, brain infections (which may cause seizures, developmental delay or chronic brain disease), and sometimes lead to death. Measles is a significant cause of death, despite the availability of a safe, effective vaccine.
MRSA infection (MER-sah) (in-FEK-shun)
invasion of body tissue by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a strain of common bacteria that has developed resistance to methicillin and other antibiotics. It can produce skin and soft tissue infections and sometimes bloodstream infections and pneumonia, which can be fatal if not treated. MRSA is quite common in hospitals and long-term care facilities but is increasingly emerging as an important infection in the general population.
pediculosis (pe-dik-ū-LŌ-sis)
invasion into the skin and hair by lice
pilonidal cyst (pī-lō-NĪ-dal) (SIST)
abnormal pocket in the skin that contains hair and skin debris. It is frequently located near the tailbone, at the top of the cleft of the buttocks. If it becomes infected, it can be severely painful and may require surgery.
pressure injury (PRESH-ur) (IN-ja-rē)
damage of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue caused by prolonged pressure, often occurring in bedridden patients; the injury, which may be painful, can present as intact skin or an open ulcer (also called pressure ulcer and bedsore; formerly called decubitus ulcer)
psoriasis (so-RĪ-a-sis)
chronic skin condition producing red lesions covered with silvery scales
rosacea (rō-ZĀ-shē-a)
chronic disorder of the skin that produces erythema, papules, pustules, and abnormal dilation of tiny blood vessels, usually occurring on the central area of the face in people older than 30 years
scabies (SKĀ-bēz)
skin infection caused by the itch mite, characterized by papule eruptions that are caused by the female burrowing into the outer layer of the skin and laying eggs. This condition is accompanied by severe itching.
squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (SQWĀ-mus) (sel) (kar-si-NŌ-ma)
malignant growth developing from scalelike epithelial tissue of the surface layer of the epidermis; it invades local tissue and may metastasize. While most commonly appearing on the skin, SCC can occur in other parts of the body including the mouth, lips, and genitals. The most frequent cause is chronic exposure to sunlight.
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (sis-TEM-ik) (LŪ-pus) (e-ri-thē-ma-TŌ-sus)
chronic inflammatory disease involving the skin, joints, kidneys, and nervous system. This autoimmune disease is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbations. It also may affect other organs.
tinea (TIN-ē-a)
fungal infection of the skin. The fungi may infect keratin of the skin, hair, and nails. Infections are classified by body regions such as tinea capitis (scalp), tinea corporis (body), and tinea pedis (foot). Tinea in general is also called ringworm, and tinea pedis specifically is also called athlete's foot
urticaria (ur-ti-KAR-ē-a)
itchy skin eruption composed of wheals of varying sizes and shapes. Urticaria is sometimes associated with infections and with allergic reactions to food, medicine, or other agents. Other causes include internal disease, physical stimuli, and genetic disorders. (also called hives)
vitiligo (vit-i-LĪ-gō)
white patches on the skin caused by the destruction of melanocytes