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Acne – a common skin eruption that usually appears on the face, chest, and back.
Commonly begins in adolescence when the oil glands enlarge and become inflamed.
Characterized by blackheads, pimples, pustules, and occasionally cysts and scars.
Actinic – an adjective meaning relating or pertaining to rays or beams of light.
Allergy – a hypersensitivity to a chemical, food, drug, metal, sunlight, or other substance.
Alopecia – hair loss
Alopecia Areata – hair loss occurring in patches.
Alopecia Totalis – total hair loss of the scalp
Alopecia Universalis – total hair loss of the entire body
Anal Itch – proper term for Rectal Itch
Androgen – a hormone that promotes male characteristics.
Antibiotic – a substance, such as penicillin and tetracycline that stops the growth of certain germs.
Antihistamine – a chemical used to alleviate itching in allergic reactions.
Aphthous Stomatitis – canker sores.
Ashy Skin – grayish looking skin in black people that is nothing more than dry skin. It is not a sign of disease.
Athlete’s Foot – a superficial fungous infection of the feet. Also known as ringworm of the feet.
Atopic Dermatitis – see Eczema
Autoimmune Disease – a disease resulting from a disordered immune reaction in which antibodies are produced against one’s own tissues. For example, lupus erythematosus.
Bacteria – germs capable of producing disease.
Benign – not malignant (noncancerous).
Birthmark – made up of blood vessels that collect in certain parts of the skin and that occur at or shortly after birth. Also known as vascular birthmark.
Blackhead – a black-tipped plug of dried oil that has blocked a pore of an oil gland. The scientific name for this is comedone
Blister – a swelling of the upper layers of the skin filled with fluid.
Boil – a painful and tender swelling of the skin caused by various bacteria. Also Furuncle.
Candidiasis – a common infection of the skin, mucous membranes, and nails caused by a yeast-like fungus called Candida. Also known as moniliasis.
Canker Sores – painful ulcers of the mouth or tongue. Also known as aphthous stomatitis.
Cellulite – a “normal abnormality” of almost all women characterized by the waffled-looking fat of the buttocks and upper thighs. It is a fancy name for plain fat. It is not a disease.
Chloasma – patchy excess pigmentation (see Melasma.)
Cold Sore – a small blister on the face or other portion of the body caused by a Herpes virus. See Herpes.
Collagen – the generic name for a family of proteins that are the major fibrous components of skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone. It is what gives the skin its resilient and elastic quality.
Contact Dermatitis – an allergy or irritation on the skin resulting from exposure to certain substances (chemicals, plants, cosmetics, etc.).
Crabs – pubic lice.
Cradle Cap – seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp in infancy.
Crust – a scab or dried secretion on the surface of the skin.
Cuticle – the skin that is attached to the base of the nails.
Cyst – a skin tumor, almost always benign, filled with fluid or solid matter.
Dandruff – visible scaling of the scalp.
Depigmentation – loss of color or pigment.
Depilatory – a substance that removes hair.
Dermatitis – inflammation of the skin; an eczema.
Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra – tiny, smooth, raised, mole-like spots that appear on the face and neck of black people that are usually inherited and that are darker than the surrounding skin. They never become malignant.
Diaper Rash – any eruption on an infant’s buttocks, genital and anal areas, lower abdomen, and upper thighs that appears during the diaper-wearing stage.
Dimple Wart – a benign (friendly) tumor of the upper layers of the skin that is somewhat contagious. Also known as Molluscum Contagiosum.
Drug Eruption – a variety of rashes – measles-like; blisters; dry mouth; hair loss; and other manifestations on the skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes – that develop as a result of the ingestion or injection of various types of medications.
Dry Skin – a loose, unscientific term used to describe the rough, scaly and flaky skin that is dry to the touch and less elastic than normal skin.
Eczema – synonym for dermatitis. Used by the dermatologist, it means atopic dermatitis.
Electrolysis – destruction of the hair root with an electric current.
Endocrine Glands – certain hormone-producing glands (thyroid, adrenal, etc.).
Epidermis – the outer layer of the skin.
Fever Blister – synonym for cold sores or herpes.
Follicle – a tiny, sac-like structure out of which the hair grows.
Folliculitis – a hair follicle infection.
Freckles – small spots of pigmentation over the face and shoulders in some people (often redheads) which get darker when exposed to the sun.
Frostbite – the sharp, painful sensations that result from severe cold injury.
Fungus – a microorganism (actually a miniature plant) that is responsible for various fungous infections (athlete’s foot, jock itch, tinea versicolor, and others).
Furuncle – see Boil.
Genital Herpes – cold sores of the genital region.
Hemangioma – a common vascular birthmark that appears at or shortly after birth.
Herpes Simplex – cold sores. An inflammation of the skin caused by a virus and characterized by small, itchy blisters on a red base. Also known as fever blisters.
Herpes Zoster – shingles.
Hirsutism – excessive growth of hair in the areas of the skin, such as the face and chest, that are usually reserved for male hair growth.
Hives – an allergic reaction characterized by itching and burning wheals (welts) on the skin.
Hyperpigmentation – excessive coloration of the skin.
Hypersensitivity – the tendency to be allergic.
Hypertrichosis – a disorder where unwanted hair is more or less generalized in distribution.
Hypopigmentation – decreased coloration of the skin.
Ichthyosis – a dry, rough, scaly, hereditary skin disorder. Also called “fishskin disease.”
Impetigo – an infectious disease of the skin caused by the streptococcus or staphylococcus germs and characterized by “stuck-on,” honey-colored crusts.
Integument – the skin.
Infestation – the invasion of the skin by a mite or parasite. Scabies and lice are infestations.
Itch – an irritation of the skin that causes a desire to scratch.
Jock Itch – an itching and inflammation of the groins, usually caused by a fungus. Also known as ringworm of the groin.
Keloid – an enlarged or overgrown scar.
Keratosis – a scaly, crusted, wart-like growth.
Keratosis Pilaris – a common rash over the backs of the arms and thighs that looks and feels like a cheese grater. It is a harmless condition and usually improves in the warmer weather. It appears to be a marker for those who have eczema.
Laser – an abbreviation of Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It is used in dermatological therapy for a variety of disorders, including warts, cancers, and cosmetic surgical procedures.
LE – an abbreviation for lupus erythematosus.
Lice – parasites that cause itching.
Lichenification – a thickening and darkening of the skin, with accentuated skin markings, as a result of constant scratching.
Lichen Planus – an itchy skin rash characterized by flat, violet-colored bumps that generally appear on the wrists, ankles, and lower back.
Lupus Erythematosus – a collagen disease that can involve any organ of the body. When it involves the skin, it appears as disc-shaped, red, scarred patches on the face and scalp. Same as LE.
Malignant – cancerous.
Melanin – the brownish-black pigment produced in the skin.
Melanocyte – a cell that produces melanin.
Melanoma – a dangerous malignant tumor of the skin that spreads rapidly and is often fatal.
Melasma – a brownish, mottled pigmentation of the skin, usually seen on the face of women. Also known as chloasma.
Miliaria – prickly heat.
Mite – a parasite of the skin. Scabies is caused by a mite.
Mole – a birthmark – or nevus; a pigmented growth on the skin, with or without hair.
Molluscum Contagiosum – see dimple wart.
Monilia – a yeast-like fungus responsible for many rashes, especially in the groins. See Candida.
Nails – specialized horny extensions of the skin made up of keratin.
Nevus – a mole.
Nevus Flammeus – port-wine stain.
Nit – the egg of a louse.
Oral – by mouth.
Paronychia – an inflammation of the soft tissue around the nails.
Pediculosis – louse infestation.
Perleche – cracks in the corners of the mouth.
Photosensitivity – an exaggerated sensitivity to light.
Pityriasis Alba – occurring primarily in childhood – usually from ages 8 to 12 – it consists of light patches over the cheeks and, occasionally, other areas such as the arms and neck. It also appears to be a marker for those who have eczema.
Pityriasis Rosea – a common skin disorder that begins with a solitary patch of redness and scaling and evolves over a period of about two weeks in a fairly generalized rash. It is not contagious.
Plantar Wart – a wart on the bottom – sole – of the foot.
Poison Ivy – a three-leafed plant that is commonly responsible for poison ivy dermatitis.
Port-wine Stain – a flat, reddish-purple mark that appears most often on the face and on the back of the neck. A type of birthmark. Also called nevus flammeus.
Postherpetic Neuralgia – a severe, sometimes relentless pain that follows an attack of shingles. Occurs primarily in the older population groups.
Prickly Heat – a common disorder of the sweat apparatus that arises when the free flow of sweat to the surface of the skin is obstructed.
Pruritus – itching.
Pseudofolliculitis Barbae – see “Razor Bumps.”
Psoriasis – a common chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by scaly patches.
Pustule – a pus-filled pimple.
Pyoderma – an impetigo-like infection of the skin accompanied by weeping, oozing, and painful crusts.
Rash – an eruption on the skin.
“Razor Bumps” – ingrown hairs of the beard in black men. The technical name for this is pseudofolliculitis barbae.
Rectal Itch – itching of the anal area. The correct term is anal itch.
Ringworm – a common term for a fungous infection of the skin and scalp. Athlete’s foot is a ringworm infection of the feet.
Rosacea – a chronic skin disorder of middle-aged people, characterized by redness of the face accompanied by acne-like pimples and pustules.
Scabies – an intensely itchy, contagious skin condition caused by a mite.
Scar – a permanent mark left on the skin following a wound or surgical procedure.
Sebaceous Gland – a gland in the skin that produces sebum (oil).
Seborrheic Dermatitis – an inflammation of the sebaceous glands producing yellow, greasy scales primarily over the scalp and face.
Sebum – the oily material produced by the sebaceous glands.
Shingles – herpes zoster. A viral infection caused by a virus and characterized by itching, pain, and a rash on one side of the body.
Skin Tags – small, fleshy, benign growths that are often seen in the armpits and around the neck.
Stretch Marks – very thin scars that commonly develop when the skin is stretched for a long period of time.
Tinea Capitis – ringworm of the scalp.
Tinea Versicolor – a “friendly” fungous infection of the skin characterized by fawn-colored, scaly patches over the chest and back.
Topical – surface (as in topical medication as opposed to internal medication.)
Tumor – a new growth. A tumor can be benign (friendly) or malignant (unfriendly). A wart is a benign tumor; a melanoma is a malignant tumor.
Ulcer – an open sore or wound.
Urticaria – hives.
Vitiligo – a skin disorder characterized by patchy loss of pigment.
Wart – a contagious growth on the skin or mucous membranes caused by a virus.
Wen – a smooth, round, dome-like soft or moderately hard tumor of the scalp filled with greasy, cheese-like, odoriferous material.
Wheal – a welt or hive.
Whitehead – a small plug that blocks the skin pore; actually, a closed blackhead.
Winter Itch – see Dry Skin.
“Zits” – common acne pimples.
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