Skin Disorders Dictionary

palliative: Describing treatments that reduce a disease's severity and symptoms but that do not cure the condition.

papule: A small raised area of skin.

papule: A small, solid, raised area of skin.

perfusion: The movement of fluid through tissue.

photosensitivity: A skin sensitivity to light.

phototherapy: Electromagnetic radiation used to treat certain skin conditions.

pigmentation: In reference to skin, coloration due to body pigments.

postemenopausal: After menopause.

psoriasis: A chronic skin condition that causes scaly, red patches to form on the skin.

pustule: A raised, inflamed area of skin filled with pus.

rash: A red skin eruption, usually without any raised skin.

rhinophyma: A swelling and reddening of the nose caused by rosacea.

rosacea: A chronic skin inflammation usually focused around the nose, forehead, and cheeks.

sebaceous glands: Small glands in the skin that secrete an oily substance called sebum.

sebaceous: An adjective describing the secrertion of sebum.

sebum: An oily substance produced by the skin's sebaceous glands that helps keep skin and hair lubricated.

skin cancer: A malignant growth on the outer layer of the skin. Skin cancers are divided into two groups, malignant melanomas and non-melanoma cancers. If left untreated skin cancer has the potential to cause death.

squamous cell: A type of cell found in the epidermis (the outer layer of skin). Squamous cells can become cancerous.

stretch marks: Marks on the skin due to stretching, usually due to obesity or pregnancy.

subcutaneous: Under the skin.

sun block: Any lotion designed to block the sun's ultraviolet rays and prevent sunburn.

sunburn: Red, peeling skin caused by overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays.

synthetic: Man-made materials. An artificial version of a natural substance.