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®: (3% erythromycin, 5% benzoyl peroxide), 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: or BHA is 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.”

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