Skin Disorders and Diseases

Question 1

Dermatology

Answer 1

the branch of medical science that studies and treats the skin and its disorders and diseases

Question 2

Lesions

Answer 2

are structural changes in the skin tissues caused by damaged or injury. Any abnormality, such as a mark or wounds are considered lesions.

3 types: primary, secondary, and tertiary

Primary: lessions are flat discoloured changes in the skin, such as macules or fluid filled elevations, such as papule.

Secondary: skin damage, developed in the later stages of disease, that changes the structure of tissues

Question 3

Primary:

Bulla

Answer 3

• large blister, watery fluid
• requires medical referral
• contact dermatitis, second degree burns, impetigo

Question 4

Primary:

Cyst/tubercle

Answer 4

• abnormal development, closed sac containing pus, fluid, or matter
• deep, dermis
• a cyst can be drained, tubercle cannot
• medical referral

Question 5

Primary:

macule

Answer 5

• flat spot or discolouration on the skin

- freckle or age spot

Question 6

Primary:

nodule

Answer 6

• a solid mass larger than 1 cm
• medical referral
• swollen lymph nodes, rheumatoid nodules

Question 7

Primary:

papule

Answer 7

• a small elevation, contains no fluid, but may develop pus

- acne, warts, nevi

Question 8

Primary:

Pustule

Answer 8

• inflamed and infected papule, contains pus, a white or yellow center
• acne, impetigo folliculitis (ingrown hair)

Question 9

Primary:

Tumor

Answer 9

• abnormal mass varying in size, colour, shape
• not always cancer but best example
• medical referral

Question 10

Primary:

Vesicle

Answer 10

• small blister or sac containing fluid, within or just beneath the epidermis
• poison ivy, poison oak

Question 11

Primary:

Wheal

Answer 11

• itchy, swollen session caused by a blow, starch, insect bite, or urticaria (skin allergy), or the sting of a nettle.
• typically resolves on its own, but medical referral if condition lasts more than 3 days
• hives, mosquito bite

Question 12

Secondary:

Crust

Answer 12

• dead cells that form over a wound or blemish while healing
• sometimes accumulates sebum or pus
• scab, sore

Question 13

Secondary:

Excoriation

Answer 13

-sore or abrasion cause by a scratch or scrape

Question 14

Secondary:

Fissure

Answer 14

• crack in the skin that penetrates the dermis, from severe dryness
• chapped lips, hands, or feet

Question 15

Secondary:

Keloid

Answer 15

• a thick scar from excessive growth of fibrous tissue (usually collagen)
• will form with scars

Question 16

Secondary:

Scale

Answer 16

• hyperkeratinization, accumulation of dead skin cells in patches
• thin, dry or oily
• excessive dandruff, psoriasis

Question 17

Secondary:

Scar or cicatrix

Answer 17

• slightly raised or depressed lesion a result of the healing process related to an injury
• post-operative repair

Question 18

Secondary:

Ulcer

Answer 18

• open lession, loss of skin depth, weeping fluid or pus

- herpes, diabetic ulcer

Question 19

albinism

Answer 19

absence of melanin pigment

Question 20

Carbuncle

Answer 20

cluster of boils

Question 21

contact dermatitis

Answer 21

inflammatory skin condition caused by contact with a substance or chemical, exposure to irritants, allergic reaction

Question 22

eczema

Answer 22

• inflammatory, painful itchy disease of the skin, mainly affecting oily areas
• dry or moist lessions
• seborrheic dermatitis

Question 23

edema

Answer 23

swelling caused by fluid imbalance in cells or a response to injury or infection

Question 24

erythema

Answer 24

redness caused by inflammation

Question 25

hyperhidrosis

Answer 25

excessive perspiration not related to exercise or heat

Question 26

hyperkeratosis

Answer 26

thickening of the skin caused by a mass of keratinized cells (keratinocytes)

Question 27

hyperpigmentation

Answer 27

overproduction of pigment

Question 28

hypo pigmentation

Answer 28

absence of pigment, light or white splotches

Question 29

impetigo

Answer 29

• a contagious skin infection caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria
• characterized by clusters of blisters or crusty lesions

Question 30

milia

Answer 30

• can be described as closed comedones
• whitish, pearl like masses of sebum and dead cells under the skin
• more common in dry skin types

Question 31

nevus

Answer 31

birthmark, abnormal pigmentation or dilated capillaries

Question 32

sebaceous hyperplasia

Answer 32

-in oilier areas of the face, overgrowth of the sebaceous gland, doughnut shaped

Question 33

seborrhea

Answer 33

severe oiliness of the skin causing irritation

Question 34

sensitization

Answer 34

the development of hypersensitivity due to repeated exposure to an allergen

Question 35

vitiligo

Answer 35

pigmentation disease characterized by white patches and the skin from lack of pigment cells, worsens with sunlight