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Skin Care Glossary N - Z

Nodule: a solid, raised bump that is larger than a papule. Nodules can be seen in nodular-cystic acne.

Papule: small raised skin lesion usually smaller than 1cm. Papules can be seen in acne, drug eruptions, contact dermatitis, granuloma annulare, perioral dermatitis, rosacea and other skin disorders.

Patch: an abnormal area of the skin can be flat or scaly. Patches can be seen in seborrhea, psoriasis , and eczema.

Psoriasis: a genetic, chronic skin condition characterized by inflamed, red, raised symmetrical areas on the scalp, body and limbs that develop silvery scales. More information on psoriasis please click.

Pustule (also called pimple) is a small raised bump on the skin filled with pus, which is usually composed of inflammatory cells. Pustules can be seen in acne, rosacea, fungal infections.

Ringworm (athlete's foot, jock itch, tinea corporis): is a fungal skin infection caused by dermatophytes. Clinically this appears as ring-shaped, red, scaly, or blistery patches. Lamisil and Lotrimin are now available topically to treat fungal infections.

Rosacea: a common skin condition characterized by redness, pimples, and broken blood vessels telangiectasias on the cheeks and nose predominantly. K-derm can help reduce some of the redness seen with broken capillaries.

Salicylic Acid: Salicylic acid is a mild acid made from salicylate that works as a keratolytic (removes the tops layers of skin) agent and opens clogged pores seen in acne. Salicylic acid is both safe and efficacious for treatment of acne vulgaris, oily skin, textural changes, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients of most skin types.

Scabies: An infestation mites in the top layer of the skin characterized by intensely itchy small bumps, especially on the hands and feet.

Scales: Flakes of dry skin that peel off. Scales can be seen in eczema, hand eczema, seborrhea, and psoriasis.
Scar: fibrous tissue composed of collagen bundles that forms after a skin injury. Topical silicone sheets can improve the appearance of scars and keloids. These patches are cut to the shape of the scar then placed on the scar for 12-24 hours. This is repeated for 3-4 months to help flattened the scar. The silicone sheets can be reused during the treatment.

Sebaceous glands: glands in the dermis, the second layer of skin, that secrete oil to the surface of the skin. Sebum production from the sebaceous glands is overactive in acne, oily skin and seborrhea.

Seborrheic keratosis: common flesh-colored, yellow, brown, or black wart-like spots, usually multiple. sebum: oily substance produced by sebaceous glands in the skin.

Skin tags: soft, small, flesh-colored skin flaps on the neck, armpits, or groin. People who have a lot of skin tags are prone to getting colon (gastroentestinal) polyps.

Skin Types: All skin types are susceptible skin cancer so please apply sunscreen daily.
Type I: Very fair skin tone, blond or redhead, freckles, burns easily, never tans.
Type II Light skin tone, will tan, but usually burns.
Type III: White to olive skin tone, sometimes burns, hazel eyes, auburn to light brown hair.
Type IV: Medium brown skin tone, rarely burns.
Type V: Dark brown skin tone, very rarely burns, dark eyes, dark hair.
Type VI: Black skin tone, very dark eyes, burn resistant

SPF: Sun Protection Factor. This number usually between 0-50 determines the amount of sun that is blocked by a sunscreen. A number 15 SPF sunscreen blocks 95% of the sunrays. SkinCareWorldWide.com usually recommends applying a higher SPF (30) as it is has been shown that people usually apply less sunscreen than is needed. Sunscreens should be applied several times a day if one is out in the sun.

Topical Steroids: Hydrocortisone 1% and Pramoxine 1% (Prax Lotion) are topical steroids available over the counter and can be used on eczema, hand eczema, poison oak, psoriasis, and seborrhea. The best ways to use a topical steroid is twice a day for 2-3 days and then stop for several days. Note, everyday usage of a topical steroid may thin the skin and may cause small blood vessels to form on the skin.

Tretinoin (Retin A, Avita, Differin): a prescription drug related to vitamin A; used to treat acne and other skin disorders.

Ulcer: An open area on the skin usually extending to dermis, the layer below the skin. These can be caused by pressure, vasculitis, trauma, and made difficult to treat if you smoke, have congestive heart failure, liver disease or diabetes.

Ultraviolet radiation: invisible rays that come from the sun. UVA: long "aging" wavelengths of ultraviolet. UVB: "sunburn" main skin cancer ultraviolet wavelengths can be blocked by sunscreens.

Vitiligo: smooth, white patches in the skin caused by the loss of pigment-producing cells. Camouflage makeup can conceal these white patches.

Wart: a noncancerous skin growth caus ed by the HPV virus. BuySkinCare has several products for treating warts.