Acne Definitions
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Acne Definitions : Keywords for acne and their meanings

Acne Definitions

Meanings for some words relating to acne may need some clarification. Hopefully this list of definitions will help you out.

A B C D F I L N O P S W


A

Acne conglobata
A very severe type of acne in which nodules are connected beneath the skin surface to other nodules or acne lesions.

Androgen
Hormones that stimulate sebaceous glands in addition to other effects on the body. Present in both males and females, androgens are responsible for physical maturation in males and therefore occur in much higher levels in males. Males tend to have more severe acne than females.

B

Blackhead
An open comedo---A noninflammatory with a dark top and firmly packed contents.

C

Closed comedo
A whitehead---a non-inflammatory with white center.

Comedo
Pronounced: (KOM-e-do)
An acne lesion. (plural: comedones).

Comedogenic
Likely to cause acne lesions (comedones).

Comedones
Acne lesions. Comedones is plural for comedo.

Cyst
A closed sac or capsule, usually filled with fluid or semisolid material.

Cystic acne
This is a type of localized infection (abscess) formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected. Cystic acne is most common in the teenage years. Treatment includes avoiding irritants on the face, including many cleansers and makeups; and in some severe cases steroid, antibiotic or other medications. Cystic acne can cause permanent scarring in severe cases and in those who are prone to forming keloids.
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D

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.

Dermatologist
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin problems.
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F

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.

I

Inflame
To cause (the skin) to redden or grow hot.
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Inflammation
A localized protective reaction of tissue to irritation, injury, or infection, characterized by pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes loss of function.

Inflammatory
Causing inflammation." In acne, "inflammatory" is usually used to describe lesions that are inflamed by chemical reactions or bacteria in clogged follicles.

L

lesions
An infected or diseased patch of skin. Doctors call acne "lesions".
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N

Nodule
The most severe form of acne lesion, a nodule is a large, deep-seated, pus-filled, often painful lump. Acne with nodules often results in permanent scarring and requires treatment by a physician. Sometimes called an acne cyst. It may range in size from greater than 1.0 cm (3/8 inch) to somewhat less than 2 cm (13/16 inch) in diameter. A nodule may be present in the epidermis, dermis or subcutis (at any level in the skin).

Noninflammatory
In acne, comedones that are not associated with redness in the skin.

Noncomedogenic
Not likely to cause acne.
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0

Open comedo
A blackhead--a noninflammatory comedo with a dark top and firmly packed contents.

P

Papule
An inflammatory comedo (comedo: an acne lesion) that resembles a small, red bump on the skin.

Pustule
An inflammatory comedo: a more severe form of acne lesions, which includes bacterial infection. Pustules look like whiteheads surrounded by a ring of redness.
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S

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. Sebaceous glands are attached to hair follicles and are found mostly on the face, neck, back and chest.

W

White Blood Cell
One of the cells the body makes to help fight infections.

Whitehead
A closed comedo---a non-inflammatory with white center.
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