Derm Health Dictionary

Irritation or inflammation of the skin... dermatitis

A rare disease, possibly caused by an autoimmune reaction, in which muscle in?ammation and weakness is associated with a characteristic heliotrope ERYTHEMA of the face and backs of the hands. In adults it may be associated with underlying malignancy. Tissue changes are similar to those in POLYMYOSITIS.... dermatomyositis

Dermographism, or factitious URTICARIA, refers to transient ERYTHEMA and wealing caused by trauma to the skin.... dermographism

See CYSTS.... dermoid cyst

Dermabrasion, or ‘skin planing’, is a method of removing the super?cial layers of the skin, useful in the treatment of tattoos and acne scars.... dermabrasion

Dermatoglyphics is the study of the patterns made by the ridges and crevices of the hands and the soles of the feet.... dermatoglyphics

In essence, this is the study of the skin. As well as being an organ in its own right, the skin is a stage on which other organs as well as the emotions most visibly play out their roles. Changes in its blood vessels – and hence blood ?ow through the skin – may indicate a major immunological response to a range of potential factors (see SKIN, DISEASES OF).... dermatology

(1) Embryological tissue which has developed from the somites to become the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The cutaneous area that is derived from each dermatome is supplied by a single dorsal spinal nerve root.

(2) A surgical instrument for removing very thin slices of skin for grafting.... dermatome

Mould fungi belonging to the genera Microsporum, Trichophyton or Epidermophyton. Cause tinea or ringworm.... dermatophyte

The inner layer of the skin.... dermis

adj. relating to or affecting the skin, especially the *dermis.... dermal

Also known as histiocytoma. A ?rm, painless nodule in the skin, typically on a leg, due to excessive formation of COLLAGEN. A common disorder, it is often a slow response to an insect bite and persists inde?nitely.... dermatofibroma

A medically quali?ed specialist who diagnoses and treats disorders of the skin (see SKIN, DISEASES OF).... dermatologist

As spinal chord nerves branch out into the body, some segments fan out across the skin; these are the nerves that monitor the surface and are the source of senses of touch, pain, hot, cold and distension. All this information is funneled back in and up to the brain, which learned early on to correlate WHAT information comes from WHERE. Think of the brain as the CPU, with the spinal chord nerves uploading raw binary data; the brain has to make a running program out of this. It must form a three-dimensional hologram or homunculus from the linear input, and retranslate it outwards as binary data. The surface of the forearm, as an example, has sensory input gathered from several different and very separate spinal chord nerves. The brain will origami-fold these separate data streams into FOREARM. If you were to inject novacaine into the base of the left first sacral nerve (LS1), you would find that a whole section of skin became numb. So well defined a section that you could outline in charcoal the demarcation between sensation and numbness. This section would be a long oval of of numbness around the left buttock, under to the groin, perhaps part of the thigh...and the left heel. That spinal nerve is solely responsible for carrying sensation from that zone of skin...that dermatome; your brain mixes all the dermatomes together to get a working hologram of your total skin surface. That particular nerve also brings and sends information about the uterus, abdominal wall and pelvic floor. If you are a woman suffering pelvic heaviness and suppressed menses, a hot footbath might be enough S1 (heel dermatome) stimulation to cross-talk over to the referred S1 pelvic functions...and heat up the stuck uterus. Much of acupuncture, Jinshinjitsu, and zone and reflex therapy (not to mention Rolfing) uses various aspects of this dermatome crossover phenomena (by whatever name) and zone counterirritation was widely used in American standard medicine up until...penicillin. It was still being described in clinical manuals as late as 1956, although with the mention that it was only used infrequently and a “mechanism not understood” disclaimer.... dermatomes

Any skin disorder... dermatopathy

Fungi which can infect skin, hair and nails. About 30 species in three genera are PATHOGENIC to humans (see RINGWORM).... dermatophytes

A superficial infection of the skin caused by a fungus... dermatophytosis

A common form of eczema (see DERMATITIS) of the soles of the feet typically seen in boys with an atopic (see ATOPY) background who constantly wear trainers.... plantar dermatosis

 Itchy rash contracted in swimming pools, sports clubs or public baths caused by pseudomonas aeruginosa. Runs a self-limiting course from 7-14 days. Garlic and Echinacea specific. ... dermatitis, pseudomonas

 See: SEBORRHOEA.

DERMATOGRAPHIA. A form of nettle rash (hives). Rubbing a sensitive surface produces raised rough patches. ‘Skin writing.’ Treat as for NETTLE RASH. ... dermatitis, seborrhoeic

A type of dermatitis caused by an allergic reaction to a substance that is in contact with the skin and which would not cause a reaction in most people exposed to it. Common causes include nickel and rubber. (See also irritant dermatitis.)... contact dermatitis

 Redness and possible blistering caused by a sensitive substance such as chromium, nickel, other metals, rubber, paints, cosmetic materials, plants (primula), house dust mites, aerosols, deodorants, photocopying, dyes in clothing, etc. A patch test establishes diagnosis. A suspected irritant is applied to the skin and after two days its reaction is noted. If inflammation is present the test is positive. Symptoms may include vesicles with weeping, scaling, and presence of dropsy.

In a study of 612 patients attending the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, more than half of the women who had ears pierced reported skin reactions to metallic jewellery, while a third had sensitivity to nickel. (British Journal of Dermatology, Jan 1992)

Treatment. Remove article or cause of irritation. Garlic is claimed to be successful, either in diet or by capsule when the condition is caused by histamines. Other agents: Betony, Burdock leaves, Chickweed, Dandelion, Figwort, Gotu Kola, Plantain, Red Clover.

Internal. Burdock tea. Clivers tea.

Tablets/capsules. Garlic, Devil’s Claw, Blue Flag.

Topical. Avoid use of Calamine, if possible. Creams or salves: Aloe Vera, Comfrey, Evening Primrose, Witch Hazel, Jojoba. All are alternatives to corticosteroids.

Tamus (Black Bryony) tincture. Distilled extract of Witch Hazel. ... dermatitis, contact

 Erythroderma. Redness and thickening of the skin which later peels off in layers (desquamation). Follows some chronic skin disorders: leukaemia, Hodgkin’s disease or fungoid invasion. May involve the whole of the body.

Alternatives. Teas. Betony, Burdock leaves, Bogbean, Chickweed, Clivers, Dandelion, Gotu Kola, Ground Ivy, Figwort, Red Clover, Violet, Yarrow.

Cold tea. Barberry bark: one heaped teaspoon to each teacup cold water; stand overnight, drink 1 cup morning and evening next day (most effective).

Tablets/capsules. Blue Flag root, Burdock, Devil’s Claw, Echinacea, Garlic, Poke root, Queen’s Delight, Red Clover, Seaweed and Sarsaparilla.

Formula. Equal parts: Dandelion, Echinacea, Yellow Dock root. Dose – Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Liquid extracts: one 5ml teaspoon. Tinctures: two 5ml teaspoons. Thrice daily before meals.

Topical. Alternatives to corticosteroids. Tamus tincture or salve – see Black Bryony. Aloe Vera, Witch Hazel, Comfrey, Evening Primrose, Jojoba, Thuja. Bran bath.

Diet. See: DIET – SKIN DISEASES. ... dermatitis, exfoliative

 Red inflammation of the skin with blisters. Not eczema. Common cause: gluten, as present in cereals barley, oats, rye, wheat.

Alternatives. Teas. Betony, Burdock, Elderflowers, German Chamomile, Hops, Gotu Kola, Mullein, Plantain, Red Clover, Valerian.

Tea formula. Equal parts, Mullein, Red Clover, Valerian. Mix. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes; 1 cup thrice daily.

Tablets/capsules. Blue Flag, Dandelion, Devil’s Claw, Echinacea, Poke root, Red Clover, Seaweed and Sarsaparilla, Valerian.

Powders. Formula. Equal parts: Burdock root, Dandelion root, Valerian root. Two 00 capsules or one- third teaspoon thrice daily, (500mg).

Liquid extracts or tinctures. Formula. Chickweed 10ml; Poke root 5ml; Meadowsweet 10ml; Valerian 10ml. Dose: liquid extracts, one 5ml teaspoon; tinctures, two 5ml teaspoons. Thrice daily in water. Topical. Apply dilute Tea Tree oil 3-4 times daily. Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E cream, Evening Primrose oil, or Marshmallow and Slippery Elm ointment. Bran bath.

Diet. Gluten-free.

DERMATITIS, LIGHT. Photo dermatitis. Reddening and blistering of the skin on exposure to sunlight.

See: SUNBURN. ... dermatitis, herpetiformis

A surgical instrument for cutting varying thicknesses of skin for use in skin grafting.... dermatome, surgical

A group of common fungal infections affecting the skin, h air, and nails, also known as tinea and, popularly, as ringworm.... dermatophyte infections

See dermoid cyst.... dermoid tumour

A skin disorder characterized by inflammation, redness, and scaling of the skin over most of the body. Exfoliative dermatitis may be the result of an allergic response to a drug or may be due to worsening of a skin condition such as psoriasis or eczema. The condition sometimes occurs in lymphoma and leukaemia.

There is a widespread rash with severe flaking of the skin, which results in increased loss of water and protein from the surface of the body.

Protein loss may cause oedema and muscle wasting.

Further possible complications include heart failure and infection.

The treatment and outlook depend on the cause.... exfoliative dermatitis

See dermatitis.... seborrhoeic dermatitis

n. a genus of hard *ticks, worldwide in distribution, the adults of which are parasites of humans and other mammals. The wood tick, D. andersoni, transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever to humans in the western USA and the dog tick, D. variabilis, is the vector of this disease in the east.... dermacentor

n. a genus of widespread parasitic mites. The red poultry mite, D. gallinae, is a common parasite of wild birds in temperate regions but can also infest poultry. It occasionally attacks and takes a blood meal from humans, causing itching and mild dermatitis.... dermanyssus

n. a genus of nonbloodsucking flies inhabiting lowland woods and forests of South and Central America. The parasitic maggots of D. hominis can cause a serious disease of the skin in humans (see myiasis). The maggots burrow into the skin, after emerging from eggs transported by bloodsucking insects (e.g. mosquitoes), and produce painful boil-like swellings. Treatment involves surgical removal of the maggots.... dermatobia

n. redundant eyelid skin, which may cause drooping of the upper lid. It usually occurs as a result of ageing. Compare blepharochalasis.... dermatochalasis

a tumour probably derived from *histiocytes that may occur in any part of the body. It is locally invasive but tends not to metastasize. It often recurs locally despite excision.... dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

(DLQI) a validated questionnaire designed by Finlay in 1994 to assess the impact of skin diseases on psychological and social wellbeing. It is the most common *quality of life tool used as an endpoint in dermatology clinical trials. DLQI scores of more than 10 (indicating a severe impact on life) are required before biological treatments for psoriasis may be administered in the UK.... dermatology life quality index

n. a genus of *mites that have been detected in samples of dust taken from houses in various parts of Europe. House-dust mites feed on human skin and scales and cause dermatitis of the scalp. Waste products from the mites produce an allergic response in susceptible people that is an important trigger for some forms of *rhinitis and *asthma.... dermatophagoides

n. any disease of skin, particularly one without inflammation. In juvenile plantar dermatosis, which affects children up to the age of 14, the skin on the front of the sole becomes red, glazed, and symmetrically cracked. This condition, which settles spontaneously after a number of years, is believed to be related to the wearing of trainers.... dermatosis

(dermatoscopy) n. the process whereby skin lesions are examined by a dermatoscope (an instrument with a magnifier and a nonpolarized light source). The dermatoscope is pressed firmly on the skin with a liquid medium (e.g. oil) between the instrument and the skin. The technique allows closer examination of pigment networks, vascular structures, etc., and may help to distinguish benign from malignant lesions.... dermoscopy

see dermatosis.... juvenile plantar dermatosis

an irritant contact *dermatitis caused by saliva produced during habitual licking of the lips and the surrounding skin in an attempt to moisten dry chapped lips. The mainstay of treatment is regular frequent application of a moisturizing agent.... lip licker’s dermatitis