A
skin condition also known as pimples that occurs when sebaceous glands become
blocked or inflamed to varying degrees.
Antibacterial
A
compound which works by killing or reducing the numbers of bacteria.
Anti-inflammatory
A
compound which works by reducing the inflammatory response i.e. the redness.
Apocrine
sweat glands
Glands
which become active only after puberty and are found in the armpits and
groin area. They produce an oily fluid which produces a musky smell when
it comes into contact with the air.
Atopic
A
tendency to suffer from a group of conditions including eczema, asthma and
hayfever.
Atopic
eczema
An
itchy inflammation of the skin which causes a dry, red, flaky or scaly rash
(also called atopic dermatitis).
Atopy
The
inherited tendency to be very sensitive to the environment and suffer from
eczema, asthma or hayfever.
Blood
vessels
Pathways
in the body (rather like hoses) through which blood travels.
Comedones
Plugs
blocking the oil secreting glands (known as blackheads if they are open
and whiteheads if they are closed).
Common
wart
A
wart mainly found on the hands, fingers and knees.
Contagious
Infectious.
Can be transmitted from one person to another or from one part of the body
to another.
Cyst
A
fluid filled lump in the skin.
Dermatologist
A
skin specialist.
Dermis
The
layer of skin below the epidermis containing the hair follicles, sweat glands
sebaceous glands, nerves, blood and lymph vessels.
Eccrine
sweat glands
Glands
which are found all over the body, but most prominently in the armpits,
forehead and palms. They secrete sweat which is made up of 99% water and
1% mineral salts.
Epidermis
The
outermost layer of the skin. It protects and waterproofs the body.
Epithelial
cells
Cells
which make up the epidermis. Also called epidermal cells.
Hair
follicle
A
narrow tube in the skin which contains cells that produce hair.
Immunity
The
resistance to disease that the body develops so that the disease cannot
be caught.
Inflammation
Swelling
of the skin which is red and painful.
Melanin
A
substance found in the skin that protects the skin from the sun and gives
the skin its colour.
Nodule
A
deep lump in the skin.
Oral
medication
Medication,
such as an antibiotic, which is taken by mouth.
Plane
wart
A
wart with a flat top and usually brown in colour. They are usually found
on the face, neck and limbs of children.
Plantar
wart
A
flat and often painful wart on the sole of the foot, commonly referred to
as a papilloma.
Pores
Small
openings of glands onto the surface of the skin.
Sebaceous
glands
Glands
attached to the hair follicle that produce oil to keep your skin supple.
Sebum
Oil
produced in the sebaceous gland to keep the skin supple.
Tinea
capitis
A
contagious inflammatory skin infection found on the scalp which is caused
by a fungus (commonly known as ringworm).
Tinea
corporis
A
contagious inflammatory skin infection found on the body, such as the trunk
and limbs which is caused by a fungus (commonly known as ringworm).
Tinea
pedis
A
contagious inflammatory skin infection found on the foot which is caused
by a fungus (commonly referred to as athlete's foot).
Topical
preparation
A
product applied directly to the skin. For example, creams, lotions, gels
and ointments.
Wart
A
viral infection that grows on the skin and is caused by the Human Papilloma
Virus.
