What Is Yellow Nail Syndrome? Nail Changes, Causes & Treatment Options
What Is Yellow Nail Syndrome? Nail Changes, Causes & Treatment Options Yellow Nail Syndrome is a rare multisystem condition in which characteristic slow-growing yellow dystrophic nails occur together with lymphedema and/or respiratory disease such as chronic cough, sinus disease, bronchiectasis or pleural effusion. The nail, lymphatic and respiratory features can appear at different times, so […]
What Is Xeroderma Pigmentosum? Sun Sensitivity, Causes & Care Options
What Is Xeroderma Pigmentosum? Sun Sensitivity, Causes & Care Options Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare inherited DNA-repair disorder in which cells cannot handle ultraviolet-induced DNA damage normally, allowing mutations to accumulate and causing extreme cumulative UV injury with an exceptionally high risk of early skin and eye cancers. It is a genetic DNA-damage disorder, […]
What Is Xanthelasma? Yellow Eyelid Plaques, Causes & Treatment Options
What Is Xanthelasma? Yellow Eyelid Plaques, Causes & Treatment Options Xanthelasma, or xanthelasma palpebrarum, is a benign eyelid condition in which lipid-filled macrophages collect in superficial skin and form soft yellow or yellow-white plaques, usually near the inner corners of the eyes. These plaques are the most common cutaneous xanthoma and are usually painless, slow-growing […]
What Are Wrinkles? Skin Lines, Causes & Treatment Options
What Are Wrinkles? Skin Lines, Causes & Treatment Options Wrinkles, also called rhytides, are lines, creases or folds that develop as collagen, elastin, hydration and underlying tissue support change with age, while repeated facial movement and cumulative ultraviolet exposure can make them appear earlier or become deeper. Fine lines, expression wrinkles and deep folds therefore […]
What Are Whiteheads? Closed Comedones, Causes & Treatment Options
What Are Whiteheads? Closed Comedones, Causes & Treatment Options Whiteheads, also called closed comedones, are small usually non-inflammatory acne bumps that form when sebum and retained keratinized skin cells plug a hair follicle while its surface opening remains covered. They may look pale, whitish or simply skin-colored, so visible whiteness is not the defining feature. […]
What Is Vitiligo? White Skin Patches, Causes & Treatment Options
What Is Vitiligo? White Skin Patches, Causes & Treatment Options Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which melanocytes are damaged or destroyed, causing sharply lighter or completely depigmented white patches on the skin. It is a true depigmentation disorder rather than a generic form of hypopigmentation, and it is not contagious. Recognizing vitiligo means […]
What Are Viral Exanthems? Viral Skin Rashes, Causes & Treatment Options
What Are Viral Exanthems? Viral Skin Rashes, Causes & Treatment Options Viral exanthems are widespread skin rashes that occur during systemic viral infections and are often accompanied by symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, respiratory symptoms or general malaise. The term describes a clinical category rather than one single viral disease. The most useful clues […]
What Are Verruca Vulgaris / Warts? Skin Growths, Causes & Treatment Options
What Are Verruca Vulgaris / Warts? Skin Growths, Causes & Treatment Options Common warts, or verruca vulgaris, are benign rough skin growths caused when cutaneous human papillomavirus infects epidermal cells and stimulates localized thickening of the skin. They can spread by contact and by self-inoculation through picking, scratching, shaving or nail biting, can sometimes resemble […]
What Is Varicose Eczema? Lower-Leg Rash, Causes & Treatment Options
What Is Varicose Eczema? Lower-Leg Rash, Causes & Treatment Options Varicose eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition of the lower legs caused by impaired venous return and sustained venous hypertension. Also called venous eczema, gravitational eczema or stasis dermatitis, it commonly produces ankle swelling, itching, scaling and persistent brown, red, purple or darker skin […]
What Are Varicose Veins? Visible Leg Veins, Causes & Treatment Options
What Are Varicose Veins? Visible Leg Veins, Causes & Treatment Options Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted superficial leg veins that form when venous valves do not keep blood moving efficiently toward the heart. Backward flow, or venous reflux, raises pressure inside superficial veins until they stretch, become tortuous and may bulge visibly beneath the skin. […]