Encyclopedia
Diseases
- Acne Vulgaris Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects the pilosebaceous units (hair follicles and their associated oil glands).
- Atopic Dermatitis Eczema Atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by intensely itchy, red, and inflamed skin patches that follow a relapsing-remitting course (periods of flares alternating with calm periods).
- Necrobiosis Lipoidica Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a rare, chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by shiny, yellowish-brown plaques with telangiectasia (visible blood vessels) that typically appear on the shins.
- Herpes Zoster Shingles Herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, represents a painful vesicular eruption caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox).
Signs
- Macule pata A macule is a flat spot on the skin that looks different in color from the surrounding skin but feels completely smooth when you touch it.
- Papule A papule is a small, solid bump on the skin that you can both see and feel.
- Bulla flictena A bulla is a large blister filled with clear fluid that is bigger than 1 centimeter (larger than a fingernail).
- Vesicle A vesicle is a small blister filled with clear fluid that is less than 1 centimeter in size (smaller than a pencil eraser).
Symptoms
- Pain Dermatological Pain in dermatological conditions is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience that can range from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating agony.
- Paresthesia Paresthesia refers to abnormal skin sensations that occur without any external cause, commonly described as tingling, 'pins and needles,' numbness, prickling, or feeling like insects crawling on the skin.
- Anesthesia Sensory Loss Anesthesia in medical terms means complete loss of sensation - total numbness where you cannot feel touch, pain, temperature, or pressure at all.
- Pruritus Itch Pruritus, commonly known as itch, is an unpleasant sensation that triggers the desire to scratch.
Treatments
- Emollients Emollients represent a fundamental therapeutic class of topical agents designed to restore and maintain skin barrier function through moisturization and occlusion (sealing in moisture).
- Antivirals Antivirals encompass a class of medications specifically designed to treat viral infections affecting the skin and mucous membranes.
- Hydroxychloroquine Hydroxychloroquine represents an antimalarial medication repurposed as a disease-modifying agent for various autoimmune and inflammatory dermatological conditions.
- Isotretinoin Roaccutane Isotretinoin, commonly known by the brand name Roaccutane, represents the most potent and effective treatment available for severe acne vulgaris.