Rosacea Glossary of Terms

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Acne: Localized skin inflammation as a result of overactivity of the oil glands at the ba...

Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms that can exist either as independent (free-living) ...

Biopsy: The removal of a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope to check for ...

Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelids. Blepharitis occurs in two forms, anterior and po...

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

Calcium: A mineral found mainly in the hard part of bones, where it is stored. Calcium is ...

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

Chin: Medically, the mentum. The lower portion of the face below the lower lip including t...

Chronic: In medicine, lasting a long time. A chronic condition is one that lasts 3 months ...

Comedones: The plural of comedo, the primary sign of acne, consisting of a dilated (widen...

Conjunctiva: A thin, clear, moist membrane that coats the inner surfaces of the eyelids (p...

Connective tissue: A material made up of fibers forming a framework and support structure...

Cornea: The clear front window of the eye, which transmits and focuses light into the eye....

Corneal: Pertaining to the cornea, the clear front window of the eye that transmits and fo...

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

Cutaneous: Related to the skin.

Decongestant: A drug that shrinks the swollen membranes in the nose, making it easier for ...

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

Dermatology: 1. The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and...

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

Doxycycline: Brand name: Vibramycin. A synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic derived from te...

Dynacin: Brand name for minocycline.

Exacerbate: To make worse. For example, smoking may exacerbate lung disease.

Exacerbation: A worsening. In medicine, exacerbation may refer to an increase in the sever...

Eyelid: The lid or cover of the eye, a movable fold of skin and muscle that can be closed ...

Ferritin: The major protein concerned with iron storage. The blood ferritin level serves a...

Gastrointestinal: Adjective referring collectively to the stomach and small and large inte...

Genes: The basic biological units of heredity. Segments of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nee...

Glutamate: A form of glutamic acid. See: Glutamic acid.

Helicobacter pylori: A bacterium that causes stomach inflammation (gastritis) and ulcers i...

Hyaluronic acid: A viscous slippery substance that lubricates the joints, maintains the sh...

Hypertrophy: Enlargement or overgrowth of an organ or part of the body due to the increase...

Inflammation: A localized reaction that produces redness, warmth, swelling, and pain as a ...

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

Lupus: A chronic inflammatory disease that is caused by autoimmunity. Patients with lupus ...

Mite: A tiny eight-legged creature belonging to the Order Acarina related to spiders and t...

Monosodium glutamate: MSG, a sodium salt of the amino acid glutamic acid that enhances the...

Nasal: Having to do with the nose.

Nasal decongestant: A drug that shrinks the swollen membranes in the nose, making it easie...

Niacin: Nicotinic acid, one of the B-complex B vitamins. Deficiency of niacin in the diet...

Nicotine: An alkaloid (a nitrogen-containing chemical) made by the tobacco plant or produc...

Nose: The external midline projection from the face. The purpose of the nose is to warm, c...

Ocular: Having to do with the eye.

Papules: Small solid rounded bumps rising from the skin that are each usually less than 1 ...

Pediatric: Pertaining to children.

Prescription: A physician's order for the preparation and administration of a drug or dev...

Prognosis: The forecast of the probable outcome or course of a disease; the patient's chan...

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

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

Retinoid: 1. Vitamin A (retinol) or a naturally occurring or synthetic substance ch...

Rhinophyma: Pronounced (ryno-fee-ma), a bulbous enlarged red nose and puffy cheeks (like t...

Rosacea: A chronic skin disease that causes persistent redness over the areas of the face ...

Sarcoidosis: A disease of unknown origin that causes small lumps (granulomas) due to chron...

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

Sensitivity: 1. In psychology, the quality of being sensitive. As, for example, sen...

Serum: The clear liquid that can be separated from clotted blood. Serum differs from plas...

Steroid: One of a large group of chemical substances classified by a specific carbon struc...

Sumycin: See: Tetracycline.

Systemic: Affecting the entire body. A systemic disease such as diabetes can affect the wh...

Tetracycline: A family of broad-spectrum antibiotics effective against a remarkably wide v...

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

Tobacco: A South American herb (Nicotiana tabacum) whose leaves contain 2 to 8 percent nic...

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

Trimox: See: Amoxicillin.

Ulcer: A lesion that is eroding away the skin or mucous membrane. Ulcers can have various ...

Vascular: Relating to blood vessels. For example, the vascular system in the body includes...

Vibramycin: Brand name for doxycycline.