Ringworm on Scalp Glossary of Terms

1. Adult Skin Problems Slideshow Pictures
2. Quiz: Can You Identify These Skin Conditions?
3. Gallery of Skin Problems and Images Collection

Absorption: Uptake. For example, intestinal absorption is the uptake of food (or other sub...

Acetic acid: The acid most commonly associated with vinegar. Acetic acid is a two-carbon c...

Allergic reaction: The hypersensitive response of the immune system of an allergic indiv...

Antifungal: A medication that limits or prevents the growth of yeasts and other fungal org...

Bumps: The raised area of a bump or bruise results from blood leaking from these injured b...

Cancer: An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, ...

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The US agency charged with tracking and invest...

Cure: 1. To heal, to make well, to restore to good health. 2. A time withou...

Dandruff: A scalp condition that produces white flakes that may be shed and fall from the ...

Dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin, either due to direct contact with an irritating sub...

Diabetes: Refers to diabetes mellitus or, less often, to diabetes insipidus. Diabetes mell...

Diagnosis: 1 The nature of a disease; the identification of an illness. 2 A ...

Fever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr...

Forceps: An instrument that has two blades and a handle and is used for handling, grasping...

Fungal: Pertaining to a fungus. For example, a fungal skin infection.

Fungi: Plural of fungus.

Fungus: A single-celled or multicellular organism. Fungi can be true pathogens (such as hi...

Hair follicle: A sac from which a hair grows and into which the sebaceous (oil) glands ope...

Hair loss: Hair loss is the thinning of hair on the scalp. The medical term for hair loss ...

Hygiene: The science of preventive medicine and the preservation of health. Also commonly ...

Immune: Protected against infection, usually by the presence of antibodies.

Immune response: Any reaction by the immune system. For example, poison ivy can cause an i...

Immune system: A complex system that is responsible for distinguishing a person from every...

Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an...

Itching: An uncomfortable sensation in the skin that feels as if something is crawling on ...

Keratin: A protein found in the upper layer of the skin, hair, and nails, and in animal ho...

Laboratory: A place for doing tests and research procedures, and for preparing chemicals a...

Liver: The largest solid organ in the body, situated in the upper part of the abdomen on t...

Lymph: The almost colorless fluid that travels through the lymphatic system, carrying cell...

Metabolic: Relating to metabolism, the whole range of biochemical processes that occur wit...

Microscope: An optical instrument that augments the power of the eye to see small objects....

Microscopy: The examination of minute objects by means of a microscope, an instrument whic...

MPH: Master of public health, a degree designating successful training in analyzing past, ...

Neck: The part of the body joining the head to the shoulders. Also, any narrow or constric...

Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa...

Pharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup...

Potassium: The major positive ion (cation) found inside cells. The chemical notation for p...

Protein: One of the three nutrients used as energy sources (calories) by the body. Protein...

Psoriasis: A reddish, scaly rash often located over the surfaces of the elbows, knees, sca...

Pus: A thick, whitish-yellow fluid that results from the accumulation of white blood cells...

Resistance: Opposition to something, or the ability to withstand something. For example, s...

Scaling: Abnormal shedding or accumulation of an upper layer of skin (the stratum corneum)...

Scalp ringworm: A superficial fungus infection of the skin, affecting the scalp. Also know...

Seborrheic dermatitis: A medical name for what is popularly called seborrhea.

Selenium: An essential mineral that is a component of an antioxidant enzyme, glutathione r...

Stratum corneum: The stratum corneum refers to the outermost layer of the epidermis, whic...

Symptom: Any subjective evidence of disease. In contrast, a sign is objective. Blood comin...

Therapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment.

Tinea capitis: A fungal infection (known as ringworm) of the scalp. This disorder occurs m...

Topical: Pertaining to a particular surface area. For example, a topical agent is applied ...

Trauma: A physical or emotional injury.

Tumor: An abnormal mass of tissue. Tumors are a classic sign of inflammation, and can be ...

Zinc: A mineral that is essential to the body and is a constituent of many enzymes that pe...