Dermatology Library

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ABCDs of Melanoma:

Created to help people recognize the warning signs of melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer. The ABCDs are:

  • A stands for Asymmetry, when one half of the mole doesn't match the other half.
  • B stands for Border, when the border or edges of the mole are ragged, blurred or irregular.
  • C stands for Color, when the color of the mole is not the same throughout or if it has shades of tan, brown, black, red, white or blue.
  • D stands for Diameter, when the diameter of a mole is larger than 6mm, about the size of a pencil eraser.
  • If a mole displays any of these signs, it should be checked promptly by a dermatologist.

Acne:

Plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and the upper arms. Acne affects most teenagers to some extent. However, the disease is not restricted to any age group; adults in their 20s - even into their 40s - can get acne. While not a life threatening condition, acne can be upsetting and disfiguring. When severe, acne can lead to serious and permanent scarring. Even less severe cases can lead to scarring. To avoid acne scarring, treating acne early is important.

Acne vulgaris:

The medical term for common acne, which is characterized by the presence of one or more of the following: blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules.

Acral lentiginous melanoma:

A brown, irregularly-shaped macular lesion of the unexposed skin that undergoes progression to nodular melanoma. It is found in patients older than 60 years, is more common in Africans and Asians, and occurs on areas of the body lacking hair, such as the soles, palms, fingers, subungual and periungual areas, and muscosal surfaces.

Actinic Keratoses:

A common, potentially serious skin condition that may be characterized by rough, red, scaly patches, crusts or sores. AKs are known as the early beginnings of skin cancer.

Age spots:

Also called "liver spots." Flat, brown areas usually found on the face, hands, and feet. They are associated with aging, but chronic sun exposure is a major cause. They are easily removed by a dermatologist.

AIDS:

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the loss of the body's ability to fight infections due to the infection caused by a virus called Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Some patients infected with HIV may develop skin conditions, fungal, viral, and bacterial infections as well as cancer. A common side effect is a skin lesion known as Kaposi's Sarcoma.

Allergy rashes:

Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by a reaction to substances called allergens that come into contact with your skin. In susceptible people, these contact allergens can cause itching, redness, and blisters that is known as allergic contact dermatitis.

Alopecia Areata:

A highly unpredictable, autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body.

Androgenic Alopecia:

Androgenetic alopecia, also known as common balding in men and hereditary thinning in women, is a common trait caused by androgens in genetically susceptible men and women. It begins in the teens, 20s, or 30s in both sexes and frequently is fully expressed by the 40s.

Athlete's Foot:

Athlete's foot is a very common skin condition - many people will develop it at least once in their lives. It is more frequent among teenage and adult males, but may occur in women and in children under the age of 12. Athlete's foot can be easily treated, but may recur in susceptible individuals.

Atopic eczema/dermatitis:

The terms eczema or dermatitis are used to describe certain kinds of inflamed skin conditions including allergic contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, photoallergic dermatitis and stasis dermatitis. Eczema can be red, blistering, oozing, scaly, brownish, or thickened and usually itches. A special type is called atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema.

Atypical nevus (also called a dysplastic nevus):

A benign growth that may share some of the clinical or microscopic features of melanoma, but is not a melanoma or any other form of cancer. However, the presence of atypical nevi may increase the risk of developing a melanoma, or be a marker for someone who is at risk of developing melanoma.