Terms used to explain Rosacea can sometimes be confusing. To help you fully understand the articles and features related to this very important health topic, we have compiled a glossary of terms that can help.
Acne
Function: noun
: a disorder of the skin caused by inflammation of the skin glands and hair follicles; specif: a form found chiefly in adolescents and marked by pimples esp. on the face
Learn more: Additional Information on Rosacea and Acne
Alcoholic
Function: adjective
1 a: of, relating to, or caused by alcohol <alcoholic[1] hepatitis>
b: containing alcohol
2: affected with alcoholism
Antibiotic
an*ti*bi*ot*ic
Pronunciation: \-bī-ˈät-ik; -bē-\
Function: adjective
1: tending to prevent, inhibit, or destroy life
2: of or relating to antibiotics or to antibiosis
Bacteria
Function: noun1: see: bacteriumnot usu. used technically<caused by a bacteria[2] borne by certain tiny ticks Wall Street Jour.> <a single bacteria[2]—there are roughly 200 in each cough—apparently can infect a person Cheryl Clark>
2plcap: a domain in the system of classification dividing all organisms into three major domains of life that includes the prokaryotes that are bacteria but not those that are archaebacteria or archaea compare eubacteria
Botox
Function: trademark
used for a preparation of botulinum toxin type A
Chemical Peel
Function: noun
1: a cosmetic procedure for the removal of facial blemishes and wrinkles involving the application of a caustic chemical and esp. an acid (as trichloroacetic acid) to the skin
Chronic
Function: adjective1 a: marked by long duration, by frequent recurrence over a long time, and often by slowly progressing seriousness : not acute <chronic[1] indigestion> <her hallucinations became chronic[1]>
b: suffering from a disease or ailment of long duration or frequent recurrence <a chronic[1] arthritic> <chronic[1] sufferers from asthma>
2 a: having a slow progressive course of indefinite duration used esp. of degenerative invasive diseases, some infections, psychoses, and inflammations <chronic[1] heart disease> <chronic[1] arthritis> <chronic[1] tuberculosis> compare acute 2b(1)
b: infected with a disease-causing agent (as a virus) and remaining infectious over a long period of time but not necessarily expressing symptoms <chronic[1] carriers may remain healthy but still transmit the virus causing hepatitis B>
Collagen
Function: noun
: an insoluble fibrous protein of vertebrates that is the chief constituent of the fibrils of connective tissue (as in skin and tendons) and of the organic substance of bones and yields gelatin and glue on prolonged heating with water
Dermabrasion
Function: noun
: surgical removal of skin blemishes or imperfections (as scars or tattoos) by abrasion (as with sandpaper or wire brushes)
Flush
Function: noun: a transitory sensation of extreme heat (as in response to some drugs or in some physiological states) <menopausal flush[1]es>
Laser
1la*ser
Pronunciation: \ˈlā-zər\
Function: noun
: a device that utilizes the natural oscillations of atoms or molecules between energy levels for generating coherent electromagnetic radiation usu. in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared regions of the spectrum
Melanocyte
Function: noun: an epidermal cell that produces melanin compare melanoblast
Menopause
Function: noun
1 a (1): the natural cessation of menstruation occurring usu. between the ages of 45 and 55 with a mean in Western cultures of approximately 51
(2): the physiological period in the life of a woman in which such cessation and the accompanying regression of ovarian function occurs —called also climacteric, compare perimenopause
b: cessation of menstruation from other than natural causes (as from surgical removal of the ovaries)
2: see: andropause
Migraine
Function: noun1: a condition that is marked by recurrent usu. unilateral severe headache often accompanied by nausea and vomiting and followed by sleep, that tends to occur in more than one member of a family, and that is of uncertain origin though attacks appear to be precipitated by dilatation of intracranial blood vessels
2: an episode or attack of migraine <suffers from migraines> —called also sick headache
Ointment
Function: noun
: a salve or unguent for application to the skin; specif: a semisolid medicinal preparation usu. having a base of fatty or greasy material
Pimple
Function: noun1: a small inflamed elevation of the skin : see: papule; esp: see: pustule
2: a swelling or protuberance like a pimple
Rosacea
Function: noun
: a chronic inflammatory disorder involving esp. the skin of the nose, forehead, and cheeks that is characterized by congestion, flushing, telangiectasia, and marked nodular swelling of tissues esp. of the nose —called also acne rosacea
Learn more: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment of Rosacea
Scabies
Function: noun
pl scabies
: contagious itch or mange esp. with exudative crusts that is caused by parasitic mites and esp. by a mite of the genus Sarcoptes (S. scabiei)
Seborrheic Dermatitis
seborrheic dermatitis
Function: noun
: a red, scaly, itchy dermatitis chiefly affecting areas (as of the face, scalp, or chest) with many large sebaceous glands
Topical
Function: adjective
: designed for or involving application to or action on the surface of a part of the body <applied a topical anesthetic to numb the skin> <eyedrops used in the topical treatment of glaucoma>
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© 2011 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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