Common Skin Problems and Terminology
acne — a chronic disorder of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands, characterized by black heads, pimple outbreaks, cysts, infected abscesses, and (sometimes) scarring.
alopecia – baldness
atopic dermatitis (also called eczema) — a skin disorder characterized by itching, scaling, thickening of the skin.
atrophic skin — skin that is thin and wrinkled.
angioma — a benign tumor in the skin, made up of blood or lymph vessels.
basal cells — these cells found in the outer layer of skin, responsible for producing the squamous cells (keratinocytes) of the outermost layer of the skin.
basal-cell carcinoma — the most common form of skin cancer, characterized by small, shiny, raised bumps on the skin that may bleed
bed sores — ulcers that occur on areas of the skin that are under pressure from lying in bed, sitting in wheelchairs, wearing a cast, or being immobile for a long period of time.
biopsy — the procedure of removing tissue for examination under a microscope.
blister — a fluid-filled bump.
boil — tender, swollen areas that form around hair follicles.
bulla — a large blister in the skin
candidiasis (sometimes called yeast infection) — a skin infection caused by yeast that can occur in the skin folds, the navel, vagina, penis, mouth, and nail beds.
cellulitis — a bacterial infection of the skin that is characterized by swelling and tenderness.
cold sore — small blisters around and in the mouth caused by the herpes simplex virus.
collagen — a protein produced by skin cells that provide strength and resilience to the skin.
crust (or scab) — a formation of dried blood, pus, or other skin fluid over a break in the skin.
cryosurgery — a surgery technique that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin.
cyst — a deep lesion that is filled with pus or other substances.
dermatitis — a number of conditions characterized by inflammation of the skin.
dermis — the middle layer of skin, which is made up of blood vessels, lymph vessels, hair follicles, and sweat glands.
eczema — another word for dermatitis
epidermis — the outer layer of skin, which is made up of the horny layer, squamous cells, and basal cells.
erythema — redness of the skin, usually due to increased blood flow in the capillaries
exanthem — a rash
excoriation — a hollowed-out or linear area of the skin covered by a crust.
folliculitis — an inflammation of the hair follicles due to an infection or irritation.
hirsutism — excessive hairiness
hives (wheals) — a pink swelling, or raised red welts, of the skin.
inflammation — redness, swelling, heat, and pain in a tissue due to chemical or physical injury, infection, or allergic reaction
impetigo — a bacterial skin infection characterized by microscopic pus-filled blisters.
keloids — smooth, pink, raised, fibrous growths on the skin that form over healed wounds.
lichenification — skin that has thickened.
macule — the smaller version of a patch — a flat discolored spot.
melanocytes — cells present in the epidermis that produce melanin (skin pigment)
melanoma — a rare, but sometimes deadly, skin cancer that begins as a mole that turns cancerous.
melasma — dark, brown symmetrical patches of pigment on the face
moles — small skin marks caused by pigment-producing cells in the skin.
Mongolian spots — bluish-black marks on the lower back and buttocks; affects mainly African-American or Asian children.
nodule — a solid, raised bump.
papule — a very small, solid, raised bump
paronychia — a skin infection around a finger or toenail.
pityriasis rosea — a common skin condition characterized by scaly, pink, and inflamed skin.
port-wine stains (nevi flammeus) — permanent flat, pink, red, or purple marks on the skin.
prickly heat — a rash caused by trapped sweat under the skin.
pruritus — itching
psoriasis — a chronic skin condition characterized by inflamed, red, raised areas that develop silvery scales.
pustule (pimple) — inflamed lesions that look like pink bumps, containing pus.
ringworm — a fungal skin infection characterized by ring-shaped, red, scaly, or blistery patches.
rosacea — a common skin condition characterized by redness, pimples, and broken blood vessels.
salicylic acid — a keratolytic drug (a drug that removes the outer layer of skin) that is used to treat various skin conditions.
sarcoidosis — an inflammation of the lymph nodes and other organs.
scabies — an infestation of mites in the skin characterized by small pimples that itch.
scales — dead skin cells that look like flakes or dry skin.
scar — fibrous tissue that has formed after a skin injury.
sebaceous glands — glands in the skin that secrete oil to the surface of the skin.
seborrheic keratosis — flesh-colored, yellow, brown, or black wart-like spots.
skin tags — soft, small, flesh-colored skin flaps on the neck, armpits, or groin.
squamous cells — see keratinocytes.
squamous cell carcinoma — a form of skin cancer that affects about 20 percent of patients with skin cancer. This highly treatable cancer is characterized by red, scaly skin that becomes an open sore.
strawberry mark (capillary hemangioma) — a raised, strawberry red mark in the skin.
subcutis — the deepest layer of skin; consists of collagen and fat cells.
tinea versicolor — a common fungal skin infection characterized by white or light brown patches on the skin.
trichotillomania — hair pulling
urticaria — same as ‘hives’ or wheals — a pink swelling, or raised red welts, of the skin
vesicle — a small blister in the skin
vitiligo — smooth, white patches in the skin caused by the loss of pigment-producing cells.
wart — a noncancerous skin growth caused by a virus
wheals — ‘hives’ — a pink swelling, or raised red welts, of the skin.
