Chapter 38 Assisting in dermatology

Alopecia

Partial or complete lack of hair.

Anaplastic

Relating to an alteration in cells to a more primitive form; a term that describes cancer-producing cells

Bilirubin

An orange pigment in bile; its accumulation leads to jaundice

Cryosurgery

The technique of exposing tissue to extreme cold to produce a well-defined area of cell destruction

Debridement

The removal of foreign material and dead, damaged tissue from a wound

Electrodesiccation

The destruction of cells and tissue by means of short high-frequency electrical sparks

Eschar

Devitalized skin that forms a scab or a dry crust over a burn area

Axacerbation

An increase in the seriousness of a disease, marked by greater intensity of the signs and symptoms

Excoriated

Skin that has been injured by scratching, abraded.

Glomerulonephritis

Inflammation of the glomerulus of the kidney

Hyperlasia

An increase in the number of normal cells

Jaundice

A yellow discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by deposits of bile pigments; these deposits occur because of an excess bilirubin in the blood

Keloid

A raised scar formation caused by overgrowth of collagen at the site of a skin injury

Keratin

A very hard, tough protein found in the hair, nails, and epidermal tissue

Keratinocytes

the skin cells that synthesize keratin

Leukoderma

Lack of skin pigmentation, especially in patches

Opaque

Not translucent or transparent; murky

Petechiae

small, purplish hemorrhagic spots on the skin

Postherpetic neuralgia

Pain that lasts longer than a month after a shingles infection and is caused by damage to the nerve; the pain may last for months or years

Raynaud's phenomenon

Intermittent attacks of ischemia of the extremities, resulting in cyanosis, numbness, tingling, and pain

Teratogen

Any substance that interferes with normal prenatal development, resulting in a developmental abnormality.

Sebaceous glands release ___, an oil substance that lubricates the skin.

Sebum

the epidermis is the thin uppermost layer, and the ___ is the thicker layer beneath

Dermis

A variety of microorganisms, called normal or resident ___, are found on the skin and may increase the risk of integumentary system infections.

Flora

___ is a common, contagious, superficial infection caused by streptococci or staphylococcus aureus

Impetigo

___ is a disorder of the hair follicle and sebaceous gland unit

Acne

___

is characterized by a vesicular, pruritic rash on the face, neck, elbows, and posterior knees, and behind ears

Individuals with ___, an inherited recessive trait, are unable to produce melanin, so they have white hair and skin and lack pigment in the iris.

Albinism

Cancer cells are undifferentiated and ___ in nature

Anaplastic

Jaundice is caused by deposits of ___ in the tissues, which creates an orange discoloration of the skin

Burlirubin

A patient with an extremely pruritic skin rash may scratch so much that the area becomes ___

Excroriated

An ___ is a raised, firm scar caused by overgrowth of collagen at the site of a skin injury

Keloid

A patient who is given an antipruritic cream for an itchy skin lesion is receiving ___ treatment

Palliative

Small purple hemorrhages under the skin that may resemble a rash are called ___

Petechiae

Accutane is an extremely dangerous ___ that is contraindicated in women of childbearing age

Antibiotic

An __ disorder is one that has no known cause

Idiopathic

Ischemia of the extremities that results in cyanosis and pain is called ___

Raynaud's phenomenon

SLE is an ___ disorder that results when the immune system attacks the body's connective tissue

Autoimmune

Macule

Flat area of color change (no elevation or depression) ex: freckles

Papule

Solid elevation, less than 0.5 cm in diameter
ex: allergic eczema

Plaque

Flat elevated surface found on skin or mucous membrane
ex: thrush

Fissure

Cracks in the skin
ex: athlete's foot

Pustule

Vesicle filled with pus
ex: acne

Vesicle

small blister- fluid within or under epidermis
ex: herpesvirus infection

Bulla

Large blister (greater than 0.5 cm)
ex: burn

cyst

A sporelike cell with a resistant, protective wall

Ulcer

area of destruction of entire epidermis
ex: decubitus (pressure sore)

Wheal

Type of plaque, result is transient edema in dermis
ex: intradermal skin test

What are four types of skin disease?

Seborrheic Dermatitis, Contact dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis

Seborrheic dermatitis

Chronic inflammatory condition of the sebaceous glands

Contact dermatitis

Acute inflammatory response to a skin irritant or exposure to a substance that causes allergic reaction

Eczema

an idiopathic inflammatory skin disease, that tends to occur in patients with a history of allergies.

Psoriasis

Chronic skin disease that produces discrete pink or red lesions covered with silvery scales

Systematic lupus erythematosus

Chronic autoimmune disease of the connective tissue

Scleroderma

Caused by overproduction and accumulation of collagen in the body's tissue

Superficial thickness burn (first degree)

Affects only the epidermis, is erythemic, blanches with pressure, and is painful

Partial thickness burns (second degree)

Destroys the entire epidermal layer and varying depths of the dermis

Full thickness burn (third degree)

Destroys all layers of the skin and may involve underlying fat, muscle, nerves, blood supply, and bones

Warning signs of malignant melanoma

Asymmetry, border, color, diameter, and elevation

Three ways to perform allergiy testing

Percutaneous test, patch test, and intradermal (intracutaneous) test

Three procedures for appearance modification

Chemical peel (chemexfoliation), dermabraisian, and laser resurfacing (photothermolysis)