Category: Diagnostic Reference Sheets

General Information Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most frequent form of skin cancer superseded by only basal cell carcinoma. Like basal cell carcinoma, SCC is predisposed for by excessive ultraviolet exposure hence its association with advancing age and cumulative sun exposure, exposed anatomic sites and highest incidence in sunny geographic locales. The most […]

General Information Skin abscess is also known as boil disease. Being common, skin abscess develop when an infection causes pus and other infected material to build up in the skin. Skin abscesses may follow a bacterial infection, commonly an infection with staphylococcus. They can develop after a minor wound, injury, or as a complication of […]

General Information Secondary Syphilis is characterized by skin rashes and mucous membrane lesions. Additional symptoms that may present themselves during the secondary stage include fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches, joint pain, enlarged lymph nodes and sore throat. This stage usually presents within 2 – 10 weeks after the the primary stage of syphilis. Around […]

General Information Seborrheic Keratosis is one of the most common types of benign tumors in older adults. Usually appearing as a brown, black or pale lesions located on the face, chest, shoulders or back. They have an appearance of a greasy scale or wart-like growth. Seborrheic keratosis may appear as a single growth but multiple […]

General Information Seborrheic Dermatitis is a disease that causes flaking of the skin. Commonly called in adolescents and adults “dandruff.” In babies, it is known as “cradle cap.” It is aggravated by changes in humidity, changes in seasons, trauma (e.g., scratching), or emotional stress. Varying from mild dandruff to exfoliate erythroderma. Seborrheic dermatitis may worsen […]

General Information Sebaceous Hyperplasia is a benign condition involving an enlargement of the oil glands on the skin. The lesions are mainly seen in locations where many oil glands are found including the nose, cheeks and forehead. Sebaceous hyperplasia appears as slightly white, flesh or yellow colored papules up to 3 mm in diameter. Researchers […]

General Information Sebaceous cyst also known as epidermal cyst, is the result of an implantation of epidermal elements in the dermis. Several factors can lead to this implantation including damage to a hair follicle, a ruptured sebaceous gland, developmental defect or heredity. The cyst contains a “pasty” substance called keratin (material that makes up hair […]

General Information Sebaceous carcinoma otherwise referred to as meibomian gland carcinoma is an uncommon yet aggressive sebaceous neoplasm that occurs within the eyelid. Although histologically identical tumors may occur within any sebaceous gland containing cutaneous site, they do not pursue as an aggressive biologic course and given their less sensitive anatomic location may not require […]

General Information Scabies is an infection in the skin caused by a tiny parasite (Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis). The mite that causes the infection is a female. The male fertilizes the female and then dies on the skin; the female then burrows into the skin and deposits eggs in the burrows. The parasite eggs hatch […]

General Information Scars are a part of the natural healing process after trauma to the skin following surgery, acne, cuts, scrapes, sores or burns. The body forms new collagen fibers to mend the damage, which results in a scar. The formation of the scar depends on a couple of different factors including how deep the […]