Glossary Acne A skin condition in which excess sebum, produced in response to circulating hormones, is trapped by a keratin plug. Skin bacteria colonise the sebaceous glands causing inflammation and infection Apocrine glands Sweat glands that are found only in hairy areas of the body, particularly the armpits and groin; they are inactive until puberty Bactericidal Being capable of killing bacteria Candida albicans The yeast responsible for oral and vaginal thrush Candidiasis Another name for thrush Candidosis Another name for thrush Collagen The main protein in white fibrous tissue such as skin, bone and connective tissue Comedone Blackheads are open comedones and whiteheads are closed comedones Dermatitis An inflammatory skin condition generally caused by external agents Dermatophyte A fungus belonging to one of three genera (Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton) that feed on keratin and cause ringworm (Tinea) Dermis The vascular skin layer below the epidermis Eccrine glands Sweat glands found all over the body, most densely on the hands and feet Elastin A protein forming the major component of elastic tissue, which is present in the skin, arterial walls and lung alveoli Epidermis The outermost layer of the skin Eczema An inflammatory skin condition causing itching, redness and occasionally weeping, generally with no obvious external cause Emollient An agent that soothes and softens the skin Fungicidal Being capable of killing fungi Hyperproliferation Over-production Keratin A fibrous protein found in nails, hair and the horny layer of the skin Keratolytic Being capable of removing keratin Lactic acid A compound formed in cells by the metabolism of glucose in the absence of oxygen Malassezia furfur The yeast associated with dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis Melanin A pigment produced by cells in the skin in response to ultraviolet radiation Moniliasis Another name for thrush Papule A small raised spot on the skin less than 5mm in diameter Propioibacterium acnes A bacterium that is often present on the skin and is usually harmless, but is thought to contribute to acne Psoriasis An inherited skin disease with scaly patches, especially on knees and elbows Pustule A small pus-containing blister on the skin Sebaceous gland An oil-secreting gland in the skin Seborrhoeic dermatitis A severe skin irritation caused by excess sebum production in densely hairy areas, such as the scalp, neck and back, complicated by the presence of the same yeast (Malassezia furfur) that is associated with dandruff Sebum An oily substance secreted onto the skin surface from a sebaceous gland via a hair Stratum corneum The top layer of the epidermis, also known as the horny layer Streptococcal Descriptive of the Streptococcus genus of Gram-positive bacteria Tinea pedis The fungus responsible for athlete's foot Topical Administration of a drug directly to the area being treated Vitamin D A fat-soluble vitamin that enhances the absorption of calcium and promotes its deposition in the bone Copyright © 2004 McNeil Limited