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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
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