Hello, my name is Lumiere Fonkou and I am studying Nursing at Cegep of Thetford. As part of my training, I am learning to recognize the different diseases that can affect the skin as well as their causes. I have therefore prepared this glossary for anyone who wishes to learn more about skin conditions or who would like to put a name to a skin problem they may be experiencing. Below, you will find some common skin diseases, along with their definition, pronunciation, and an image illustrating what they look like in an affected person.
acne vulgaris
noun
A common, chronic inflammatory skin disease of the hair follicles and oil (sebaceous) glands, resulting in lesions like blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and cysts.
Example: We can manage your acne vulgaris with a combination of topical creams and lifestyle changes.
en: acné vulgaire
allergic contact dermatitis
noun
A form of contact dermatitis that is the manifestation of an allergic response caused by contact with a substance; the other type being irritant contact dermatitis (ICD).
Example: Diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis is confirmed by patch testing.
en: dermatite de contact allergique
anthrax
noun
An infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis or Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis. Infection typically occurs by contact with the skin, inhalation, or intestinal absorption.
Example: Japan experimented with biological agents during the world wars, as did Iraq and Iran in the gulf war and most recently anthrax attacks occurred in America in 2001.
en: maladie du charbon
atopic dermatitis
noun
A chronic, non-contagious, and relapsing skin disorder characterized by intensely itchy, red, inflamed, and sometimes weeping or thickened skin.
Example: While scaling associated with pruritus is a hallmark feature of atopic dermatitis, the scalp is an infrequent site of involvement.
en: dermatite atopique
candidiasis
noun
A fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida yeast, a fungus that normally lives harmlessly in the body, particularly on skin and in the gut, but can cause issues when its balance with healthy bacteria is disrupted, leading to infections like thrush (mouth), vaginal yeast infections, or serious invasive candidiasis if it enters the bloodstream and affects organs, often occurring in those with weakened immune systems or after antibiotic use.
Example: Candidiasis is an opportunistic infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida species, most commonly Candida albicans.
en: candidose
cellulitis
noun
A bacterial infection involving the inner layers of the skin. It specifically affects the dermis and subcutaneous fat.
Example: Most cases of cellulitis are caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus bacteria entering through a break in the skin.
en: cellulite
erysipelas
noun
A bacterial infection of the superficial layer of the skin (upper dermis), extending to the superficial lymphatic vessels within the skin, characterized by a raised, well-defined, tender, bright-red rash, typically on the face or legs, but which can occur anywhere on the skin.
Example: The study examined antibiotic resistance patterns in bacteria responsible for erysipelas to guide more effective treatment protocols.
en: érésipèle
folliculitis
noun
A skin condition characterized by inflammation or infection of the hair follicles, resulting in small, red, itchy, or pus-filled bumps on the skin, often resembling acne.
Example: Swimmers are advised to shower immediately after training sessions to help prevent folliculitis linked to prolonged exposure to pool bacteria.
en: folliculite
furuncle
noun
A deep folliculitis, which is an infection of the hair follicle.
Example: The nurse instructed the patient not to squeeze the furuncle, as doing so could worsen the infection or spread it to nearby tissue.
en: furoncle
furunculosis
noun
A medical condition characterized by the development of multiple furuncles (boils), which are deep, painful, pus-filled infections of hair follicles typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
Example: In the community workshop, participants learned that untreated furunculosis can spread to nearby skin areas if hygiene is neglected.
en: furonculose
herpes zoster
noun
A painful viral infection causing a blistering rash, usually on one side of the body, triggered by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that also causes chickenpox.
Example: Herpes zoster - sharp pain typically localised to a specific dermatome with accompanying rash again of specific dermatomal distribution.
en: zona
impetigo
noun
A contagious bacterial infection that involves the superficial skin.The most common presentation is yellowish crusts on the face, arms, or legs.
Example: The presenting diagnosis at this time was suspected to be blisters secondary to bullous impetigo.
en: impétigo
irritant contact dermatitis
noun
A form of contact dermatitis that can be divided into forms caused by chemical irritants and those caused by physical irritants.
Example: Workers in manufacturing plants often receive training on how to prevent irritant contact dermatitis by using protective gloves and barrier creams.
en: dermatite irritative de contact
lipoma
noun
A benign tumor made of fat tissue. They are generally soft to the touch, movable, and painless.
Example: The most important lesions to consider in the differential diagnosis of breast carcinoma include the following benign conditions, in descending order of frequency: cystic disease of the breast, fibroadenoma, intraductal papilloma, lipoma and fat necrosis.
en: lipome
psoriasis
noun
A long-lasting, noncontagious autoimmune disease characterized by patches of abnormal skin.
Example: Psoriasis involvement of the scalp is fairly common, may occasionally be confined totally to the scalp.
en: psoriasis
seborrheic keratosis
noun
Example: Although seborrheic keratosis is harmless, its sudden appearance can cause anxiety in patients who fear it may be cancerous.
en: kératose séborrhéique
tinea corporis
noun
Commonly known as ringworm, is a superficial fungal infection (dermatophytosis) of the body's glabrous (non-hairy) skin, typically on the trunk or limbs.
Example: Tinea corporis is caused by dermatophytes, a group of fungi that thrive on keratinized tissue like skin and nails.
en: dermatophytose cutanée
tinea pedis
noun
A contagious, common fungal skin infection affecting the feet, particularly between the toes.
Example: Before performing a pedicure, estheticians are trained to screen for tinea pedis to prevent cross-contamination.
en: pied d'athlète
tinea unguium
noun
A fungal infection of the nail. It is the most common disease of the nails and constitutes about half of all nail abnormalities.
Example: Frequent travelers and military personnel are at increased risk for tinea unguium due to prolonged use of occlusive footwear in humid environments.
en: onychomycose
urticaria
noun
A temporary skin condition characterized by itchy, raised, red or skin-colored bumps (wheals) that can appear anywhere on the body.
Example: Major disadvantages include numerous side effects such as nausea, abdominal pain, pruritus, urticaria and angioedema.
