Skin Rashes in Children Glossary of Terms

1. Childhood Skin Problems Slideshow Pictures
2. Ringworm Slideshow Pictures
3. Pink Eye Slideshow Pictures

Abdominal: Relating to the abdomen, the belly, that part of the body that contains all of ...

Abdominal pain: Pain in the belly. Abdominal pain can be acute or chronic. It may reflect ...

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

Acetaminophen: A nonaspirin pain reliever or analgesic. Acetaminophen may be given alone t...

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

Acyclovir: (Brand name: Zovirax) One of a group of antiviral drugs that acts against the...

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

Amniotic fluid: The fluid bathing a fetus within the uterus, which serves as a shock absor...

Anemia: The condition of having a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells or quantity ...

Antibiotic: A drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. ...

Antiviral: An agent that kills a virus or that suppresses its ability to replicate and, he...

Anus: The opening of the rectum to the outside of the body.

Arms: An appendage in anatomy and in clinical trials. See: Arm.

Arthritis: Inflammation of a joint. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, w...

Aspirin: Once the Bayer trademark for acetylsalicylic acid, now the common name for this a...

Athlete's foot: A skin infection caused by a fungus called Trichophyton that thrives withi...

Autism: A spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by deficits in social inter...

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

Bacterial: Of or pertaining to bacteria, as in a bacterial lung infection.

Bell's palsy: Paralysis of the nerve that supplies the facial muscles on one side of the f...

Bladder: A hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine. The kidneys filter waste f...

Blister: A collection of fluid underneath the top layer of skin (epidermis). There are man...

Blood blister: a blister full of blood due to a pinch, bruise or repeated friction.

Blood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is...

Brain: The portion of the central nervous system that is located within the skull. It func...

Bronchitis: Inflammation and swelling of the bronchi. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic.

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, ...

Candida albicans: A yeast-like fungal organism found in small amounts in the normal human...

Capillaries: Capillaries are the smallest of blood vessels. They serve to distribute oxyge...

Cavities: Holes or structural damage in the two outer layers of a tooth called the enamel...

Cell: The basic structural and functional unit of any living thing. Each cell is a small c...

Cheek: The side of the face, which forms the side wall of the mouth. The cheekbone is part...

Chemotherapy: 1. In the original sense, a chemical that binds to and specifically k...

Chickenpox: A highly infectious viral disease also known medically as varicella -- in many...

Chills: feelings of coldness accompanied by shivering. Chills may develop after exposure t...

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

Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder. Cholecystitis is a complication of gallsto...

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

Circulation: In medicine, the movement of fluid through the body in a regular or circuitou...

Coma: A state of deep, unarousable unconsciousness. A coma may occur as a result of head t...

Complication: In medicine, an unanticipated problem that arises following, and is a result...

Congenital: A condition that is present at birth, whether or not it is inherited.

Congenital rubella syndrome: The constellation of abnormalities caused by infection with t...

Congestion: An abnormal or excessive accumulation of a body fluid. The term is used broadl...

Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the membrane covering the surface of the eyeball. It can b...

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

Coronary arteries: The vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood rich in oxygen. The...

Cough: A rapid expulsion of air from the lungs, typically in order to clear the lung airwa...

Coxsackievirus: A family of enteroviruses first found in the town Coxsackie, south of Alba...

Cradle cap: A form of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp that is usually seen in infants b...

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

Cystitis: Inflammation of the bladder. Cystitis can be due for example to infection from ...

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

Delirium: A sudden state of severe confusion and rapid changes in brain function, sometime...

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

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

Diaper rash: An inflammatory reaction localized to the area of skin usually covered by the...

Diarrhea: A common condition that involves unusually frequent and liquid bowel movements. ...

Discharge: 1.The flow of fluid from part of the body, such as from the nose or vag...

DTaP: Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis vaccine.

Ear: The hearing organ. There are three sections of the ear, according to the anatomy tex...

Eczema: A particular type of inflammatory reaction of the skin in which there are typicall...

Ehrlichiosis: An acute (abrupt onset) disease, first reported in humans in 1986, due to in...

Electrocardiogram: A recording of the electrical activity of the heart. Abbreviated ECG an...

Emergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medica...

Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain, which may be caused by a bacterium, a virus, or a...

Erythema: Redness of the skin that results from capillary congestion. Erythema can occur w...

Erythema infectiosum: A sometimes-used Latin name for fifth disease. See Fifth disease.

Erythrocyte: A cell that contains hemoglobin and can carry oxygen to the body. Also called...

Evolution: The continuing process of change.

Exanthem: A rash. The word "exanthem" comes from the Greek "exanthema" which means "a b...

Exanthem subitum: Means a sudden rash. A viral disease of infants and young children with ...

Facial nerve: The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve. It is a mixed nerve that has...

Fatigue: A condition characterized by a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency ...

Febrile: Feverish.

Feces: The excrement discharged from the 'intestines.

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

Fifth disease: An oddly named disease caused by a virus called parvovirus B 19. (In the pr...

Flu: Short for influenza. The flu is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract w...

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

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

Gamma globulin: A major class of immunoglobulins found in the blood, including many of th...

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

Gastrointestinal tract: The stomach and intestines. Abbreviated GI tract.

Genital: Pertaining to the external and/or internal organs of reproduction.

Genitalia: The male or female reproductive organs. The genitalia include internal and exte...

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

Headache: A pain in the head with the pain being above the eyes or the ears, behind the he...

Heart: The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. ...

Heart disease: Any disorder that affects the heart. Sometimes the term "heart disease" is ...

Heart valves: There are four heart valves. All are one-way valves. Blood entering the ...

Herpangina: A viral illness in which small, painful ulcers and sores are found inside the ...

Herpes: A family of viruses. Herpes also refers to infection with one of the human herpesv...

Hormone: A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activit...

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

Ibuprofen: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly used to treat pa...

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

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

Immunity: The condition of being immune. Immunity can be innate'for example, humans are in...

Impetigo: A skin infection caused by the staphylococcus or, less often, by the streptococc...

Incubation period: In medicine, the time from the moment of exposure to an infectious agen...

Infant: A young baby, from birth to 12 months of age.

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

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

Influenza: The flu is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract which are divide...

Intensive care: See critical care.

Intrauterine: In the uterus.

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

Joint: The area where two bones are attached for the purpose of permitting body parts to m...

Kawasaki disease: A syndrome that mainly affects young children, causing fever; reddening ...

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

Lesion: An area of abnormal tissue change. Lesions vary in severity from harmless to serio...

Leukemia: Cancer of the blood cells. Strictly speaking, leukemia should refer only to canc...

Lips: Aside from the lips of the mouth, there are two pairs of lips at the entrance to the...

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

Low blood pressure: Any blood pressure that is below the normal expected for an individua...

Lumbar: Referring to the five lumbar vertebrae, the disks below them, and the correspondin...

Lumbar puncture: A procedure in which cerebrospinal fluid is removed from the spinal canal...

Lyme disease: An inflammatory disease that is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi...

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

Lymph node: One of many small, bean-shaped organs located throughout the lymphatic system....

Malaise: A vague feeling of discomfort, one that cannot be pinned down but is often sensed...

Maternal: 1. Pertaining to the mother as, for example, the maternal mortality rate....

Measles: An acute and highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, runny nose,...

Meningitis: Inflammation of the meninges, the three membranes that envelop the brain and t...

Microscopic: So small it cannot be seen without the aid of microscope. As opposed to macro...

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

MMR: Measles, mumps, rubella vaccine, a combination vaccine.

Mortality: A fatal outcome or, in one word, death. The word "mortality" is derived from "m...

Mortality rate: A death rate. There are a number of different types of mortality rates as,...

Mouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and con...

Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome: A syndrome of unknown origin that mainly affects young...

Mumps: An acute (sudden, shortlived) viral illness that usually presents with inflammation...

Muscle: Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. T...

Nasal: Having to do with the nose.

Nausea: Stomach queasiness, the urge to vomit. Nausea can be brought on by many causes, in...

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

Neck pain: Neck pain is the sensation of discomfort in the neck area. Neck pain can result...

Neisseria: A group of bacteria that includes the bacterium that causes gonorrhea.

Nerve: A bundle of fibers that uses electrical and chemical signals to transmit sensory an...

Neurological: Having to do with the nerves or the nervous system as, for example, a neurol...

Node: Literally a knot, a node is a collection of tissue. For example a lymph node, is a ...

Nodule: A small collection of tissue that is palpable (can be felt) at any level of the sk...

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

Obstetrician: A physician who specializes in obstetrics.

Onset: In medicine, the first appearance of the signs or symptoms of an illness as, for ex...

Organ: A relatively independent part of the body that carries out one or more special func...

Organ failure: The failure of an essential system in the body. Multiple organ failure is t...

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

Palsy: Paralysis, generally partial, whereby a local body area is incapable of voluntary m...

Paralysis: Loss of voluntary movement (motor function). Paralysis that affects only one mu...

Paramyxovirus: One of a group of RNA viruses that are predominantly responsible for acute ...

Parasitic: Having to do with a parasite, as in a parasitic infection; or acting like a par...

Parvovirus B19: See: Fifth disease

Perianal: Located around the anus, the opening of the rectum to the outside of the body.

Pericarditis: Inflammation of the lining around the heart (the pericardium) that causes ch...

Petechiae: Pinpoint flat round red spots under the skin surface caused by intradermal hemo...

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

Platelet: An irregular, disc-shaped element in the blood that assists in blood clotting....

Platelet count: The calculated number of platelets in a volume of blood, usually expressed...

Pneumonia: Inflammation of one or both lungs, with dense areas of lung inflammation. Pneum...

Poison: Any substance that can cause severe organ damage or death if ingested, breathed in...

Poison ivy: Skin inflammation that results from contact with the poison ivy vine. Chemical...

Pregnancy: The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. Thi...

Pregnant: The state of carrying a developing fetus within the body.

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

Prevalence: The proportion of individuals in a population having a disease or characterist...

Rash: Breaking out (eruption) of the skin. A rash can be caused by an underlying medical c...

Recipient: In medicine, someone who is given something, such as a blood transfusion or an ...

Recur: To occur again; to return. For example, a symptom, sign, or disease can recur.

Reservoir: 1. A place where something such as water is kept in reserve.
2....

Resolution: In genetics, the degree of molecular detail on a physical map of DNA. Resoluti...

Respiratory: Having to do with respiration.

Reye syndrome: A sudden, sometimes fatal, disease of the brain (encephalopathy) with degen...

Rheumatic fever: An illness that occurs following a streptococcus infection (such as a "st...

RMSF: Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Roseola: Roseola is a childhood illness caused by virus infection characterized by high fe...

Roseola infantum: Roseola infantum is another name for roseola, also formally called roseo...

Rubella syndrome: The constellation of abnormalities caused by infection with the rubella ...

Rupture: A break or tear in any organ (such as the spleen) or soft tissue (such as the ach...

Scabies: Infestation of the skin by the human itch mite, Sarcaptes scabies. The initial ...

Scarlatina: Also called scarlet fever, a disease caused by infection with group A streptoc...

Scarlet fever: A skin condition that is due to a streptococcal sore throat or any other st...

Seborrhea: A chronic inflammatory disease of the skin characterized by the accumulation of...

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

Sedimentation rate: A blood test that detects and monitors inflammation in the body. Abbre...

Seizure: Uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain, which may produce a physical conv...

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

Sepsis: The presence of bacteria (bacteremia), other infectious organisms, or toxins creat...

Shock: In medicine, a critical condition that is brought on by a sudden drop in blood flow...

Sickle cell anemia: A genetic blood disease due to the presence of an abnormal form of hem...

Slapped cheek: See: Fifth disease

Sore: 1. (adjective) A popular term for painful, such as a sore throat. 2. (...

Sore throat: Pain in the throat. Sore throat may be caused by many different causes, inclu...

Spinal tap: Also known as a lumbar puncture or "LP", a spinal tap is a procedure whereby ...

Spotted fever: Also known as Rocky Mountain spotted fever. An acute febrile (feverish) dis...

Staph: Very commonly used shortened form of Staphylococcus, a very common and important gr...

Staphylococcus: A group of bacteria that cause a multitude of diseases. Under a microscope...

Stomach: The digestive organ that is located in the upper abdomen, under the ribs. The upp...

Stool: The solid matter that is discharged in a bowel movement.

Strep: Very commonly used shortened form of Streptococcus, a very common and import...

Strep throat: Strep throat is an infection caused by a type of bacteria called streptococc...

Streptococcus: A group of bacteria that causes a multitude of diseases. Under a microscope...

Streptococcus pyogenes: A common bacteria of the skin that causes strep throat (streptococ...

Sunburn: Sunburn is an inflammation of the skin that develops in response to exposure to u...

Superficial: In anatomy, on the surface or shallow. As opposed to deep. The skin is superf...

Supportive care: Treatment given to prevent, control, or relieve complications and side ef...

Surgery: The branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or inj...

Sweat: A colorless transparent acidic fluid with a distinctive odor secreted by the small ...

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

Syndrome: A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process.

Tension: 1) The pressure within a vessel, such as blood pressure: the pressure within t...

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

Thimerosal: A mercury-containing preservative used in some vaccines and other products sin...

Throat: The throat is the anterior (front) portion of the neck beginning at the back of th...

Thrush: Yeast infection of the mouth and throat, characterized by patches of white, caused...

Tick: A small wingless bloodsucking insect that, along with the mite, belongs to the order...

Tick bite: A bite from a bloodsucking, parasitic insect that punctures the skin with a sha...

Ticks: Small wingless bloodsucking insects that, along with the mite, belongs to the order...

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

Tired: A feeling of a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency of accomplishment,...

Tongue: A strong muscle that is anchored to the floor of the mouth. The tongue is covered ...

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

Toxic shock: See Toxic shock syndrome.

Toxic shock syndrome: A grave condition occurring predominantly in menstruating women usin...

Toxin: A poison produced by certain animals, plants, or bacteria.

Transfusion: The transfer of blood or blood products from one person (the donor) into the ...

Trimester: In obstetrics, one of the three divisions of three months each during pregnancy...

Tylenol: See: Acetaminophen.

Urinary: Having to do with the function or anatomy of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or ur...

Urine: Liquid waste produced by the kidneys. Urine is a clear, transparent fluid that norm...

Vaccines: Microbial preparations of killed or modified microorganisms that can stimulate a...

Viral: Of or pertaining to a virus. For example, if a person has a viral rash, the rash wa...

Virus: A microorganism that is smaller than a bacterium that cannot grow or reproduce apar...

Viruses: Small living particles that can infect cells and change how the cells function. I...

World Health Organization: The subagency of the United Nations (UN) that is concerned with...

Yeast infection: Overgrowth of yeast can affect the skin (yeast rash), mouth (thrush), di...

Yogurt: A common dish made of milk curdled and fermented with a culture of Lactobacillus (...

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