Accutane®
- a brand of Isotretinoin.
Isotretinoin is an
alternative to oral
antibiotics that is
sometimes effective for
severe outbreaks of papules
and pustules.
Achromycin V® - an oral
antibiotic often prescribed
for rosacea. Also sold under
the brand name(s): Panmycin®,
Tetracyn®, Robitet®,
Tetracycline, Sumycin®
Aclometasone dipropionate:
Anti-infective, topical,
cream and ointment are low
to medium potency
corticosteroids for
treatment of arthritis,
atopic dermatitis. Also sold
under the brand name:
Aclovate.
Aclovate®:
by Glaxo Wellcome, (Aclometasone
dipropionate)
Anti-infective, topical,
cream and ointment are low
to medium potency
corticosteroids for the
treatment of arthritis,
atopic dermatitis.
Acne:
characterized by clogged
hair follicles that, when
infected by bacteria, become
pus-filled lesions.
Acne Conglobata:
A very severe kind of acne
in which nodules are linked
under the skin surface to
other nodules or acne
lesions.
Acne Mechanica:
It's a type of acne which
develops in reaction to
heat, constant pressure,
covered skin, or continuous
friction against the skin.
Acne
Rosacea: chronic acne form
disorder affecting both the
skin and the eye.
Acne
Vulgaris: An inflammatory
skin condition characterized
by superficial skin
eruptions around hair
follicles. Alternative names
acne; cystic acne; pimples
Acute:
sudden or severe. An acute
condition is one in which
symptoms appear, change, or
worsen rapidly. The opposite
of chronic.
Adapalene:
is a topical retinoid
analogue indicated for the
treatment of acne vulgaris.
Also sold under the brand
name: Differin®
Afirm™ :
brand name for a retinol
product
AHA:
abbreviation for alpha
hydroxyl acid which is a
simple organic fruit acid
found in nature or
synthesized in the
laboratory
Aknemycin®:
Topical antibiotic used on
the skin to treat acne. Also
sold under the brand name(s):
Erymax®, Erygel®, Staticin®,
Erycette®, Ery-Sol®,
Erythra-Derm®, T-Stat®,
Eryderm®, Erythromycin
Allergen:
a substance that can produce
a hypersensitive reaction in
the body.
Alpha
Hydroxy Acid: or AHA is a
simple organic fruit acid
found in nature or
synthesized in the
laboratory
Adrenal
Gland: The adrenal produces
three major classes of
hormones, each of which aid
in dealing with the
multitude of small and large
stresses faced by animals
and people almost daily.
Androgenic:
This refers to the hormones
which stimulate the
sebaceous glands to produce
sebum.
Androgens: Hormones that
stimulate the activity of
the accessory sex organs of
the male, encourage
development of male sex
characteristics, or prevent
changes in the latter.
Antibiotics: substances
derived from a microorganism
that is able to inhibit or
kill another microorganism.
A term used to describe a
range of drugs which are
used to treat conditions
involving bacteria
Antibody:
an immunoglobulin that binds
specifically to a given
antigen.
Antigen -
a substance that reacts with
antibodies or memory T cells
to give rise to an immune
reaction. An antigen that
binds with a specific
antibody or T cell can give
rise to allergy.
Antihistamine - a substance
capable of reducing
inflammation, swelling and
other effects often
experienced as an allergic
reaction.
Antimicrobial:
It's an agent like a
medication which destroys
microorganisms.
Anusol-HC®
- Hydrocortisone – a natural
chemical made by the body
which reduces swelling,
itching, inflammation and
burning. The most common
prescribed and/or over the
counter steroid. Very low
potency steroid. Also sold
under the brand name(s):
Cetacort®, Nutracort®,
Hytone®, Cort-Dome®,
Cortenema®, Cortifoam®,
Cortaind®, Lanacort®, Locoid®,
Westcort®
Anti-pruritic
– anti-itch
Aquanil®
HC - Lotion (Person &
Covey), 1% hydrocortisone
for anti-pruritic
(anti-itch) treatment of
sensitive skin. It is
indicated for the temporary
relief of minor skin
irritation, inflammation,
itching and rashes
Artefacta:
a skin condition marked by
lesions that are
self-inflicted by the
patient, whether by chemical
or physical means.
A/R Lite
Cream: A topical formulation
created for rosacea
sufferers with dry and
sensitive skin. A redness
and blemish control product
by Purple Emu.
Atopic: a
hereditary tendency to
experience immediate
allergic reactions because
of the presence of an
antibody in the skin.
Atopic
dermatitis: Atopic
dermatitis is a chronic skin
disorder categorized by
itching, rash, and a
personal or family history
of seasonal allergies or
asthma. Alternative names
Infantile eczema; Atopic
eczema; Dermatitis - atopic;
Eczema
Azelaic
Acid: (heptanedicarboxylic
acid) is used for the
treatment of mild to
moderate acne. Sold under
the brand name, Finevin.
Also called Azelex Acid.
Azelex
Acid: (heptanedicarboxylic
acid) is used for the
treatment of mild to
moderate acne. Sold under
the brand name, Finevin.
Also known as Azelaic acid.
Bacteria:
A
class of microorganisms that
cause infections.
B
cells:
Cells
that make and carry surface
immunoglobulins.
Barber's Itch:
Folliculitis. Damaged hair
follicles become infected
with bacteria, resulting in
skin rashes and pimples
around the infected
follicles. The infection can
spread.
Basal cell cancer
:
The vast majority (80%) of
all skin cancers are basal
cell cancers that affect the
upper layer of skin.
Symptoms include new skin
growths that bleed or don't
heal well. The skin lesions
vary in color from white to
brown, and may be flat or
raised.
BenzaClin
®:
A topical treatment produced
by Dermik ; it’s a
combination of two acne
medications in a single gel:
clindamycin 1% and benzoyl
peroxide 5%.
Benzamycin
®:
Topical combination of
benzoyl peroxide and
erythromycin. Manufactured
by Dermik.
Benzoyl peroxide
:
Another product with
antibacterial properties
commonly used to treat acne.
Sold under a large variety
of names.
Betaplex
: A
combination of alpha and
beta hydroxy acids in a
cream
Beta Hydroxy Acid
(BHA): A simple organic
fruit acid found in nature
or synthesized in the
laboratory.
Blackhead:
A
non-inflammatory acne lesion
that is filled with excess
oil and dead skin cells.
Blepharitis
:
An inflammation of the lash
follicles at the eyelid
margins due to excess growth
in lash follicles of
bacteria normally present on
the skin. Alternative names:
Eyelid inflammation
Bulbous Nose
:
A large, bulbous, ruddy
appearance of the nose.
Chloracne:
Rash characterized by many
comedones that develop from
exposure to chlorinated
chemicals or herbicides.
Closed comedo: A
whitehead; a
non-inflammatory comedo with
white center.
Comedo (plural: comedones):
An acne lesion.
Comedogenic: Likely to cause
comedones.
Dermatologic surgery: Deals
with the diagnosis and
treatment of medically
necessary and cosmetic
conditions of the skin,
hair, nails, veins, mucous
membranes and adjacent
tissues by various surgical,
reconstructive, cosmetic and
non-surgical methods. This
includes laser surgery,
cryosurgery, chemical
surgery, aspirational
surgery and excisional
surgery. The purpose of
dermatologic surgery is to
repair and/or improve the
function and cosmetic
appearance of skin tissue
Follicle: The tiny shaft in
the skin through which a
hair grows, and sebum is
excreted from sebaceous
glands to the surface of the
skin.
Hormones: Chemical
substances produced by the
body that, depending on the
hormone, govern many body
processes. Certain hormones
cause physical maturation
during puberty. These are
the ones implicated in acne.
Inflammatory: A word that
means "causing
inflammation." In acne,
"inflammatory" is usually
used to describe lesions
that are inflamed by
chemical reactions or
bacteria in clogged
follicles.
Isotretinoin: Potent
systemic medication used to
treat severe forms of acne.
Due to potential birth
defects, a woman must not
take this medication while
pregnant or breast feeding
and must not become pregnant
while taking isotretinoin.
Keloid: Large raised scar
that spreads beyond the size
of the original wound.
Lipids: Oily substances that
include things like fats,
oils and waxes. Sebum is
made up of lipids. A
particular kind of lipid,
free fatty acids, are
irritating to the skin.
Macule: A flat spot or
patch of skin that is not
the same color as the
surrounding skin.
Melanin: Substance that
gives hair and skin its
color.
Microcomedo: The first stage
of comedo formation; a
comedo so small that it can
be seen only with a
microscope.
Nodulocystic acne: A severe
form of acne that is
characterized by numerous
deep, inflamed bumps
(nodules) and large,
pus-filled lesions that
resemble boils (cysts). The
nodules tend to be tender
when touched and feel firm.
The severe inflammation can
cause the acne to become
very red or even purple.
Scarring often results when
the acne heals.
Noncomedogenic: Not likely
to cause comedones.
Noninflammatory: In acne,
comedones that are not
associated with redness in
the skin.
Open comedo: A blackhead) a
noninflammatory comedo with
a dark top and firmly packed
contents.
Papule: An inflammatory
comedo that resembles a
small, red bump on the skin.
Papulopustular: A type of
acne characterized by the
presence of papules and
pustules.
Post-inflammatory
hyperpigmentation: Excessive
skin darkening at places
where the skin was inflamed.
Propionibacterium
acnes (P. acnes):
A normal resident on the
skin,
P. acnes will
multiply rapidly in clogged
hair follicles where sebum
is trapped.
Puberty: The time of life
when a child begins the
physical maturation process
toward adulthood. Onset is
usually in the early teens
and is accompanied by a
large increase in hormone
production.
Pustule: An inflammatory
comedo that resembles a
whitehead with a ring of
redness around it.
Retinoid: A natural or
synthetic substance derived
from vitamin A.
Sebaceous glands: Glands in
the skin that produce an
oily substance called
sebum--these glands are the
sites of acne lesions.
Sebaceous glands are
attached to hair follicles
and are found mostly on the
face, neck, back and chest.
Sebum: The oily substance
produced by sebaceous
glands.
Steroid acne: Acne that
develops from long-term use
of corticosteroid
medications. Since this
condition can develop,
corticosteroid medications
are prescribed for a limited
time.
Systemic therapy: Treatment
that consists of taking
medication internally, such
as in pill form or by
injection or infusion.
White blood cells:
Components of the blood that
help fight off infections.
Whitehead: An acne lesion
that forms when oil and skin
cells block the opening of a
hair follicle. For this
reason, whiteheads are
called “closed comedomes.”
