Dermatological Conditions

noun a painless ulcer, particularly one developing on the genitals as a result of venereal disease

• The doctor diagnosed the patient with a chancre, a type of sore caused by syphilis.
• I heard that Jim has a chancre on his lip from his cold sore.
• I can't believe she got a chancre from that guy she hooked up with!
• The corruption in the company was like a chancre slowly eating away at its reputation.

noun a substance that softens or soothes the skin

adjective having the quality of softening or soothing the skin

• Dermatologists often recommend using an emollient to keep the skin moisturized.
• I always use an emollient cream to keep my hands soft and smooth.
• My grandma swears by this emollient lotion for dry skin.
• Kindness is like an emollient for the soul, soothing and comforting.

noun a painful, pus-filled bump on the skin caused by an infected hair follicle

• The patient was diagnosed with a furuncle on his back and was prescribed antibiotics.
• I heard that Sarah had to go to the doctor to get her furuncle treated.
• Ugh, I have a gross furuncle on my arm and it hurts so bad.
• The corruption in the government was like a festering furuncle that needed to be lanced and drained.

noun the act of lacerating

• The doctor stitched up the deep laceration on the patient's arm.
• Ouch, that laceration looks painful!
• I heard he got a gnarly laceration while skateboarding.
• Her words left a deep emotional laceration on his heart.

noun a disease involving the hardening of tissue, typically caused by inflammation or scarring

• Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system.
• My aunt was diagnosed with sclerosis last year.
• I heard that sclerosis can really mess with your body.
• The sclerosis of bureaucracy slowed down the approval process.

noun a chronic bacterial disease that is contracted chiefly by infection during sexual intercourse, but also congenitally by infection of a developing fetus

• Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.
• I heard that syphilis is making a comeback in our city.
• Dude, you better wrap it up or you might end up with syphilis.
• The spread of misinformation is like a syphilis of the mind, infecting and damaging thoughts and beliefs.

adjective describing something that causes or undergoes necrosis, the death of cells or tissues

• The patient was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, a serious bacterial infection.
• I heard that necrotizing fasciitis is a really scary flesh-eating disease.
• That necrotizing stuff sounds like a nightmare, man.
• The toxic environment was like a necrotizing force slowly destroying morale within the team.

adjective relating to or denoting any disease or condition that arises spontaneously or for which the cause is unknown

• The patient was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a condition with an unknown cause.
• They couldn't figure out why he was having those idiopathic seizures.
• Doctors are still scratching their heads over her idiopathic migraines.
• The sudden disappearance of the birds from the park was like an idiopathic event, leaving everyone baffled.

noun a yellow discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes, often associated with certain medical conditions

• Xanthosis is a medical condition characterized by yellow discoloration of the skin.
• I heard xanthosis can cause your skin to turn yellow.
• Did you know xanthosis can make you look like a Simpson?
• Her xanthosis was like a golden halo, illuminating her presence in the room.

noun a medical term referring to a condition where the nails are abnormally thin and concave

• Koilonychia is a nail disorder characterized by thin, concave-shaped nails.
• My doctor diagnosed me with koilonychia, which explains why my nails are shaped like spoons.
• I hate having koilonychia because my nails look so weird.
• Her koilonychia was a physical manifestation of the stress she was under.

noun a visible raised area or lump on the skin, typically caused by a blow or injury

• The forensic expert examined the bump mark on the victim's head for any signs of trauma.
• I noticed a bump mark on my car after parking it in a tight spot.
• She accidentally bumped into the wall and left a mark on it.
• The success of the new product launch left a bump mark on their sales chart.