A – Z of Skin

Café-au-lait macules

Café-au-lait macules (CALMs) are benign well-circumscribed, flat, uniformly light to dark brown spots with a characteristic ‘coffee-with-milk’ colour.

Calcific Uraemic Arteriolopathy

Also known as Calciphylaxis.  Calciphylaxis is a rare and serious disorder, usually seen in individuals on treatment for severe kidney disease – typically on dialysis for end stage renal failure (ESRF).

Calciphylaxis

Calciphylaxis is a rare and serious disorder, usually seen in individuals on treatment for severe kidney disease.

Campbell de Morgan spots

Campbell de Morgan spots also known as cherry angiomas, are the most common blood vessel overgrowths of the skin and typically present in the third or fourth decades of life.

Canker sores

Canker sores also known as Aphthous ulcers, are a common problem with a higher prevalence in high socio-economic areas.

Capillaritis

Capillaritis also known as pigmented purpuric dermatosis, is an uncommon condition that affects all races and ages. It usually manifests as small or large patches of cayenne pepper coloured spots and pigmentation.

Capillary malformation

Capillary malformation also known as a port-wine stain, is a pink to red flat patch on the skin which has well-defined edges.  It is a true birthmark present in 3 to 5 per 1000 newborn babies. It is permanent and its area will increase in proportion to general body growth.

Cellulite

Cellulite is a very common condition. It is seen in almost all adult women in various degrees and can therefore be considered a normal variation of the appearance of the skin.

Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA)

Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is a chronic and progressive type of scarring alopecia that results in permanent hair loss. CCCA most commonly starts in the centre of the scalp and, without treatment, expands over time causing an irreversible area of baldness. It is most commonly seen in middle-aged African women.

Cheek rejuvenation

The cheek is a critical area of the face when one considers the effects of aging and damage to the skin. One of the clear signs of youth is a curved, full, convex cheek as one is used to seeing on babies in their first few years of life.

Cheilitis granulomatosa

Cheilitis granulomatosa also known as granulomatous cheilitis, is a rare condition characterised by persistent, diffuse, soft-to-firm swelling of one or both lips.

Chemical peel

A chemical peel is the application of a chemical solution to the skin which is designed to correct a variety of problems including sun damage, mild scarring, removal of fine wrinkles and improvement in irregular pigmentation.

Cherry angiomas

Cherry angiomas are the most common blood vessel overgrowths of the skin and typically present in the third or fourth decades of life. Cherry angiomas tend to increase in both size and number with advancing age. They occur in all races and sexes.

Chilblains

Chilblains are itchy, red swollen tender areas of skin that develop on the exposed skin of fingers, toes or rims of ears after exposure to cold at temperatures above O° Celsius

Childhood bullous pemphigoid

Childhood bullous pemphigoid is an extremely rare form of the bullous pemphigoid which is an autoimmune blistering disease. It occurs in children under 18 years of age. Given its rarity, the exact incidence of the condition is unknown.

Chloasma

Chloasma also known as Melasma appears as patchy shades of brown pigmentation on sun exposed areas of the face.

Cholestasis of pregnancy or cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy

Cholestasis of pregnancy or cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy also known as Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, is a rare liver condition which causes an itchy skin. There is no rash but the skin may show scratch marks (excoriations) or become yellow (jaundiced).

Chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis

Chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis (CDNH) simply means inflamed cartilage and skin forming a tender lump on the ear. The tender scaly lump develops most often on the most protuberant part of the ear where pressure is applied. It can develop from sleeping on a firm pillow or from wearing ill-fitting head phones or ear muffs that press on the involved area. The condition can also be precipitated by minor trauma.

Chromoblastomycosis

Also known as … Chromomycosis, Cladosporiosis, Verrucous Dermatitis, Fonseca’s Disease, Pedroso’s Disease. Chromoblastomycosis is a long-term or chronic fungal infection of the skin and tissue underneath the superficial layer of the skin (called the subcutaneous tissue). It is more common in rural, tropical and subtropical areas of the world; it tends to present more severely in those with a suppressed or compromised immune system.

Chromomycosis

Also known as … Chromoblastomycosis, Cladosporiosis, Verrucous Dermatitis, Fonseca’s Disease, Pedroso’s Disease. Chromoblastomycosis is a long-term or chronic fungal infection of the skin and tissue underneath the superficial layer of the skin (called the subcutaneous tissue). It is more common in rural, tropical and subtropical areas of the world; it tends to present more severely in those with a suppressed or compromised immune system.

Chronic Actinic Dermatitis (CAD)

Also known as…Photosensitivity Dermatitis and Actinic Reticuloid (PD/AR) Syndrome; persistent light reaction CAD is a rare chronic inflammatory skin condition triggered by abnormal sensitivity to sunlight.

Chronic Bullous Dermatosis of Childhood

Chronic bullous dermatosis of childhood also known as Linear IgA Disease is a rare skin blistering condition. It affects young children (usually before 5 years of age) or adults (usually after 40 years of age). This condition affects the skin and mucosal (inside the mouth and/or genitalia) surfaces of the body.

Chronic palmoplantar pustular psoriasis

Chronic palmoplantar pustular psoriasis also known as palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP), is a chronic pustular condition affecting the palms of the hands and/or soles of the feet. It may occur with psoriasis or without any other skin disease.

Cladosporiosis

Also known as … Chromoblastomycosis, Chromomycosis, Verrucous Dermatitis, Fonseca’s Disease, Pedroso’s Disease. Chromoblastomycosis is a long-term or chronic fungal infection of the skin and tissue underneath the superficial layer of the skin (called the subcutaneous tissue). It is more common in rural, tropical and subtropical areas of the world; it tends to present more severely in those with a suppressed or compromised immune system.

Comedonal Naevus

Also known as … Naevus Comedonicus, Follicular Keratotic Naevus and Pilosebaceous Naevoid Disorder. Naevus comedonicus is a rare type of epidermal nevus. A benign overgrowth derived from a hair follicle unit.

Compensatory hyperhidrosis

Compensatory hyperhidrosis is a common, post-surgical complication of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS surgery).

Congenital melanocytic naevi

Congenital melanocytic naevi (CMN) are skin lesions consisting of nests of melanocytes (cells that produce pigment). They are present at birth or shortly after birth. They occur in approximately 1 in 100 live births.

Contact Allergy

Also known as ... Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) or Contact Dermatitis Dermatitis is a very common itchy red skin rash with a variety of types and causes (some types are also called eczema). It is common for a person with dermatitis to have more than one type, either at the same time, or at different times in their lives. Contact dermatitis arises from a chemical in contact with the skin which may cause either irritant or allergic dermatitis.

Contact Dermatitis

Cosmeceuticals

Cosmeceuticals are products that have both cosmetic and therapeutic (medical or drug-like) effects, and are intended to have a beneficial effect on skin health and beauty.

Cosmetic injections

Neurotoxins are a group of substances that are used in dermatology to treat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). They are also used to reduce wrinkles, most commonly those around the eyes and on the forehead

Cradle Cap

Cradle cap also known as Seborrhoeic dermatitis in infants, is inflammation of the skin that usually occurs on areas of the body such as the head and trunk where there are a greater number of oil glands.

Creeping eruption

Creeping eruption also known as cutaneous larva migrans, is an itchy localised skin infestation caused by the penetration and migration of animal hookworm larvae through the skin.

Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma

Tumours of the lymph nodes and lymphatic system are called “lymphomas”. B-cell lymphomas are caused by an excess of B-cell lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.

Cutaneous larva migrans

Cutaneous larva migrans is an itchy localised skin infestation caused by the penetration and migration of animal hookworm larvae through the skin.

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a form of lupus that predominantly affects the skin. The most common forms are subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) and discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)

Cutaneous small vessel vasculitis

Cutaneous small vessel vasculitis (CSVV) is a condition caused by inflammation of the skin’s blood vessels. It classically presents as areas of red or purple discoloration.  This is due to bleeding under the skin and does not disappear when pressure is applied (purpura).

Cutaneous tuberculosis

Cutaneous tuberculosis (CTB) is a skin infection caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis, which mainly causes lung infection, but can involve other organ systems.

Cyclosporin

Cyclosporin is a drug used in dermatology to reduce inflammation. It is effective in controlling common conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.