- abrasion
- an area damaged by scraping
- acne vulgaris
- a common inflammatory skin reaction caused by bacteria, dead skin cells, or dried sebum that clogs hair follicles and prevents sebum from passing up through the pores
- acute wound
- a wound that occurs suddenly and progresses through expected stages of healing
- angioedema
- swelling of the face, lips, throat, or airways
- angiogenesis
- process where capillaries grow across the wound increasing blood supply and oxygen
- apocrine gland
- correlates with the hair follicles present in the perineum, axillae, and areolae of the breasts
- arrector pili muscle
- triggers hair follicles on the body to flex causing the hair to rise up
- arthrofibrosis
- scar tissue formed around a joint during the healing process, which limits range of motion
- autolytic debridement
- using occlusive dressings to enhance the body’s own defense mechanisms to liquefy or soften necrotic tissue
- avulsion
- a forcible tearing off of skin or another part of the body
- basal cell carcinoma
- the most common skin cancer that is generally found on the head or neck; it may be serious but is not usually fatal
- blackhead
- flesh-colored, small bump with a dark center
- blanching
- temporary whitening or lightening of the skin around the wound site upon applying pressure
- Braden scale
- pressure injury risk assessment tool used across healthcare settings to evaluate the relative risk of a patient developing skin breakdown and pressure injuries
- bullae
- large blisters
- bullous impetigo
- type of impetigo that has large, flaccid bullae on the skin that rupture and leave a thin brown crust
- burn
- injury to the skin caused by thermal, electrical, chemical, or electromagnetic energy
- carbuncle
- cluster of skin abscesses connected to one another below the surface of the skin; often form when one or more hair follicles are infected
- cellulitis
- localized infection and inflammation of the skin and tissues that are immediately beneath the skin
- chronic wound
- no healing occurs for at least three months
- closed wound
- does not have a break in the skin and occurs under the skin’s surface
- collagen
- whitish protein substance that adds flexible strength to the wound
- comedone extraction
- use of a comedone extractor by a healthcare professional to remove blackheads and whiteheads by incising the pore and then using gentle pressure around the pore opening with a wire loop
- contusion
- a region of injured tissue or skin in which blood capillaries have been ruptured
- cystic acne
- lesions that are usually large, red, painful, and pus-filled nodules that merge under the skin and often leave scars
- debridement
- removing slough or necrotic tissue and foreign material by various methods
- defensin
- has antimicrobial and/or cytotoxic properties and is part of the body’s first immune defense
- dehiscence
- partial or total rupturing of a sutured wound
- dermatosis papulose nigra
- small dark or skin-colored bumps on the face, neck, and upper torso; common in people with darker skin colors
- dermis
- the layer of skin below the epidermis connected to the epidermis by dermal papillae
- desiccation
- unintentional wound or tissue dehydration
- diabetic neuropathy
- nerve damage that causes numbing sensations
- disseminated zoster
- herpes zoster rash that affects three or more dermatomes
- eccrine gland
- located over the skin entirely, secrete sweat, and aid in thermoregulation
- ecthyma (also, deep impetigo)
- a skin infection that occurs deep inside the skin characterized by shallow, small ulcers that look punched out and may contain pus
- eczema (also, atopic dermatitis)
- rash characterized by itchy, chronic inflammation of the upper skin layers; associated with a heightened immune response
- edema
- swelling caused by excessive buildup of fluid in tissue spaces or a body cavity
- emollients
- ingredients that soothe skin dryness
- enzymatic debridement
- applying commercially prepared enzymes that accelerate the body’s autolytic process (cell breakdown by enzymes contained in the affected tissue)
- epibole
- rolled or curled-under wound edges that slow or stop the wound healing process
- epidermis
- the outermost layer of the skin consisting of epithelial cells
- erythema
- reddening of the skin
- eschar
- dead tissue that forms over healthy skin and then, over time, falls off or sheds
- evisceration
- protrusion of the viscera through the incision when the wound completely separates
- excoriation
- loss of the superficial layers of the skin, also known as a denuded area
- filiform wart
- long, small, narrow growth that appears on the lips, face, or eyelid
- fistula
- an abnormal passage from one internal organ or vessel to another or an internal organ or vessel to the outside of the body
- flat wart
- may appear in an area that is shaved or along a stretch mark
- fluctuance
- tense area of skin with a wavelike or boggy feeling on palpation
- folliculitis
- an infection of the skin follicle
- friction
- two surfaces rubbing against each other
- genital wart (also, condyloma acuminata, venereal wart)
- occurs on the vagina, vulva, cervix, and penis
- granulation tissue
- delicate, new reddish connective tissue and tiny blood vessels that bleed easily but provide the framework for scar tissue development
- hematoma
- localized collection of blood under the skin that may appear reddish blue with swelling
- hemostasis
- cessation of bleeding
- herpes simplex
- viral infection that can cause painful blisters or ulcers
- herpes zoster (also, shingles)
- maculopapular rash associated with shingles; most often appears on the trunk of the body along a thoracic dermatome
- hydroxylation
- the chemical process in which a hydroxyl group (-OH) is introduced into an organic compound
- hyperpigmentation
- darkened patches of skin (liver spots)
- hypodermis
- the subcutaneous fatty layer beneath the dermis that anchors the dermis to the underlying tissues of the body
- hypopigmentation
- lighter patches of skin (age spots)
- hypoproteinemia
- abnormally low amounts of serum protein from the diet
- impetigo
- highly contagious bacterial skin infection that forms pustules and yellow crusty sores
- incision
- a surgical cut made in skin or flesh
- intentional wound
- a planned wound; the result of a treatment or therapy
- keloid
- a thick fibrous scar caused by excessive collagen formation in response to trauma or a surgical incision
- keratin
- fibrous water-repellant protein gives the epidermis its strong, protective quality
- keratinization
- a thickening of plasma membranes of a cell
- keratinocyte
- cell that produces keratin
- laceration
- deep cut or tear in the skin or flesh
- Langerhans cell
- antigen-processing cell that determines the appropriate response to, for example, inflammation, or tolerance of a foreign substance
- localized wound healing factors
- affects wound healing directly (desiccation, maceration, trauma, pressure, excessive bleeding and edema, infection)
- maceration
- softening of tissues caused by prolonged wetting or soaking
- malignant melanoma
- the most dangerous type of skin cancer that originates in the melanocytes
- mechanical debridement
- applies external physical force to remove debris or necrotic tissue
- melanin
- dark brown to black pigment protects the keratinocytes and nerve endings from ultraviolet light damage that appears in the skin and hair
- melanocyte
- cell that produces melanin and keratinocyte
- Merkel cell
- found in the stratum basale and serves as a sensory receptor for light touch
- mitotic activity
- the degree in which a population of cells proliferates
- Mohs procedure
- layers of the skin are removed and examined for cancer cells until no signs of cancer remain
- Montgomery straps
- ties that attach to an adhesive backing that holds a dressing in place
- mosaic wart
- wart that grows in a cluster
- nonbullous impetigo
- type of impetigo that has pustules that rapidly break down and form thick adherent honey-colored crusts on the face and extremities
- NPO
- nothing by mouth
- open wound
- a break in the skin or mucous membranes caused either intentionally or unintentionally
- palmar wart
- wart on the palm of the hand
- papillary layer
- thin, dermal layer of the dermis composed of loose connective tissue, which contacts the epidermis
- parasite
- an organism that lives in or on an organism of a different species and depends on the host for nutrients
- pediculosis
- lice infestation
- pediculosis capitis
- lice infestation of the scalp
- pediculosis corporis
- lice infestation of the body
- pediculosis pubis
- lice infestation of the hairs of the anal and genital areas but can also infest the thigh, chest, and facial hair
- penetration
- wound caused by an object that pierces the skin and lacerates or damages adjacent tissue
- perspiration
- (sweat) excess water and salts that are eliminated from the body via sweat glands
- phagocytosis
- occurs as leukocytes and macrophages move into the interstitial space to ingest bacteria and cellular debris
- photodynamic therapy
- using lasers and chemicals on the skin
- pimple
- has a small area of red skin and can be painful or cause discomfort
- pityriasis
- any of various skin conditions characterized by dry scaling patches of skin
- plantar wart
- wart on the sole of the foot
- post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- temporary pigmentation that occurs after an injury or inflammatory skin condition, most commonly seen in people with darker skin types
- pressure injury
- a localized ischemic lesion of the skin and underlying tissue caused by external pressure that impairs blood and lymph flow
- primary intention healing
- type of healing in which the wound edges have been approximated with little to no tissue loss and show formation of nominal granulation tissue and scarring
- prodromal state
- period between the appearance of initial symptoms and the full development of an illness causing headache, malaise, chills, or photophobia
- pruritis
- itching
- psoriasis
- a recurring, chronic skin condition that causes one or more raised areas of red skin patches with silvery scales and a distinct border
- puncture
- wound made by a pointed object
- pustule
- similar to a pimple but contains white or yellow pus
- Raynaud syndrome
- a condition that causes pale or blue fingers with cold exposure
- reticular layer
- thick, dermal layer of the dermis that consists of dense connective tissue and collagen bundles and houses most of the sweat glands, sebaceous glands, hair follicles, hair, muscles, blood vessels, and deep sensory neurons
- scabies
- contagious skin infestations caused by a burrowing mite
- sebaceous gland
- secretes sebum, an oily substance that makes the hair and skin waterproof
- seborrheic dermatitis
- inflammatory skin reaction primarily on the scalp and face
- secondary intention healing
- healing process of extensive wounds that have significant tissue loss making approximating edges difficult or not a good option
- shear
- when one tissue layer slides over the other
- slough
- a nonviable layer of dead tissue that is stringy, moist, and yellow, tan, gray, green, or brown in color
- squamous cell carcinoma
- the second most common type of skin cancer that generally develops on sun-exposed areas but can grow where sun exposure is limited
- stable eschar
- area of eschar on the skin that is adherent, dry, and intact without fluctuance
- stratum basale
- (stratum germinativum) deepest layer of the epidermis that contains melanocytes and keratinocytes
- stratum corneum
- thickest and outermost layer of the epidermis that secretes defensins as part of the body’s first immune defense
- stratum granulosum
- layer above the stratum spinosum that contains a glycolipid, which slows water loss across the epidermis
- stratum lucidum
- layer of skin only found in thick areas like the soles of the feet and palms of hands
- stratum spinosum
- layer above the stratum basale; contains cytoplasmic processes (spines) that extend outward and contact neighboring cells
- subcutaneous tissue
- the subcutaneous fatty layer (hypodermis) beneath the dermis that separates the skin from the underlying tissue
- superinfection
- secondary infection that is unrelated to the original infection and results from opportunistic colonization after immunosuppression
- systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder involving connective tissues of the joints, skin, kidneys, mucous membranes, and blood vessel walls
- systemic wound healing factors
- occurs throughout the body and is not related to the wound itself (e.g., age, venous insufficiency, poor oxygenation, obesity, diabetes, medications, smoking or alcohol use)
- telangiectasia
- red mark on the skin caused by the widening of shallow blood vessels
- tenting
- the skin does not snap back when pinched; instead, it maintains a tentlike shape, which may indicate dehydration
- tertiary intention healing
- delayed primary intention where the wound is left open for three to five days to allow edema or infection to resolve or to let any exudate to drain
- tinea (also, ringworm)
- may be found on the feet, beard, body, groin, scalp, or toes
- tinea barbae (also, beard ringworm)
- fungal infection of the beard
- tinea capitis
- fungal infection of the scalp
- tinea corporis
- fungal skin infection of the arms, trunk, legs, and face
- tinea cruris
- fungal infection of the groin
- tinea pedis (also, athlete’s foot)
- fungal infection of the feet
- tinea unguium (also, onychomycosis)
- fungal infection of the toenail or fingernail
- transdermal administration
- placed on the skin and absorbed either locally or systemically
- ulcer
- open sore caused by poor blood flow
- unintentional wound
- a wound from an unexpected trauma
- urticaria (also, hives)
- rash of raised, swollen, flesh-colored or red bumps or welts on the skin
- varicella (also, chickenpox)
- caused by the varicella-zoster virus
- venous insufficiency
- failure of the veins to adequately circulate the blood, especially from the lower extremities
- verruca (also, warts)
- raised or flat growths caused by the viral infection human papillomavirus
- vesicles
- small blisters
- vitiligo
- chronic autoimmune disorder that causes partial or total loss of skin color in patches
- whitehead
- flesh-colored small bump that does not have a dark center
- wound
- an injury that causes a disruption of normal skin or tissue integrity
- xerosis
- skin dryness