Papule
A papule is an area of abnormal skin tissue that is less than 1 centimeter around. A papule has distinct borders, and it can appear in a variety of shapes. Papules are often called skin lesions, which are essentially changes in the color or textur  More »
HLCMS

Skin Lesion
A skin lesion is a superficial growth or patch of the skin that does not resemble the area surrounding it.  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

Hair Loss
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) notes that 80 million men and women in America have hereditary hair loss (alopecia). (AAD) It can affect just the hair on your head or your whole body. Although it is more prevalent in older adults, exces  More »
HLCMS

Blisters
Vesicles are small, fluid-filled sacs that can appear on your skin. The fluid inside these vesicles may be clear, white, yellow, or mixed with blood. These sacs may be very small, or they may be over an inch in diameter. Vesicles are also known as  More »
HLCMS

Dry Mouth
Dry mouth, known medically as xerostomia, is the abnormal reduction of saliva due to medication, disease, or medical therapy.  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine

Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a disease that causes inflammation and infection in the liver. This condition develops after being infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). There are two forms of hepatitis C: acute and chronic. Acute hepatitis C causes sympto  More »
HLCMS

Female Gender
Women's health differs from men's health, and not just with respect to reproduction. To understand and examine these differences appropriately, the variables of sex and gender are each relevant. In general, sex refers to biological, anatomical, ph...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health

Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a chronic, degenerative disease in which normal liver cells are damaged and are then replaced by scar tissue.  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

History and Physical Exam
The health status of populations and of individuals is assessed for many reasons. Assessing needs for care helps guide the allocation of resources— diagnostic assessments guide treatment, prognostic assessments contribute to planning, and assessin...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health

Biopsy

What is a Biopsy? | Overview

In some cases, your doctor may decide that he or she needs a sample of your tissue or your cells to help diagnose an illness or identify a cancer. This removal of tissue or cells is called a biopsy. While a biop  More »
HLCMS

Skin Biopsy
A skin lesion biopsy is a simple medical procedure in which a sample of your skin is removed and tested in a laboratory. The sample taken during a biopsy is often very small-often the size of a grain of rice. The sample size is just large enough  More »
HLCMS

Ultraviolet Therapy
Ultraviolet light treatment uses a particular band of the nonvisible light spectrum to treat psoriasis and a variety of other skin diseases. It can be used alone or in combination with other medications applied directly to the skin or taken intern...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

PredniSONE
PREDNISONE (PRED ni sone) is a corticosteroid. It is commonly used to treat inflammation of the skin, joints, lungs, and other organs. Common conditions treated include asthma, allergies, and arthritis. It is also used for other conditions, such a...  More »
GOLD

Acitretin
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.  More »
GOLD

Clobetasol topical
CLOBETASOL (kloe BAY ta sol) is a corticosteroid. It is used on the skin to treat itching, redness, and swelling caused by some skin conditions.  More »
GOLD

Betamethasone topical
BETAMETHASONE (bay ta METH a sone) is a corticosteroid. It is used on the skin to treat swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions.  More »
GOLD

Triamcinolone topical
TRIAMCINOLONE (trye am SIN oh lone) is a corticosteroid. It is used to reduce swelling and ulcers in the mouth. It helps treat and relieve mouth sores that are not caused by herpes.  More »
GOLD

Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a cancer that develops in the tissues of the mouth or throat. Most oral cancers develop in the squamous cells found in your mouth, tongue, and lips. Oral cancers are most often discovered after they have spread to the lymph nodes of  More »
HLCMS

Stress Management
Stress is your body's normal response to trying events and emotional challenges in your daily life. But while some stress can be healthy, too much can lead to high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, insomnia, and other health proble  More »
HLCMS