BoilOver! an information resource for people with recurring boils

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glossary

Here is a list of common terms and their definitions, so that folks can have a handy reference.

acne
(dermatology) An inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit, the specific type usually being indicated by a modifying term, frequently used alone to designate common acne or acne vulgaris.
antibacterial
A substance that destroys bacteria or suppresses their growth or reproduction.
antibiotic
(pharmacology) A chemical substance produced by a microorganism which has the capacity, in dilute solutions, to inhibit the growth of or to kill other microorganisms.
boil
A hard, painful, inflamed tumour, which, on suppuration, discharges pus, mixed with blood, and discloses a small fibrous mass of dead tissue, called the core. A blind boil, one that suppurates imperfectly, or fails to come to a head.
carbuncle
A Staphylococcal skin infection which involves a hair follicle, often referred to as a boil or a furuncle. A group of boils is known as a carbuncle.
Symptoms and findings include a tender pea-sized (or larger), red nodule, may ooze pus or weep.
Treatment includes warm, wet compresses several times a day. Oral or topical antibiotics may be indicated in some cases.
cyst
(anatomy) Any closed cavity or sac that is lined by epithelium often contains liquid or semi-solid material.
furuncle
(dermatology) A Staphylococcal skin infection which involves a hair follicle, often referred to as a boil or a furuncle. A group of boils is known as a carbuncle.
Symptoms and findings include a tender pea-sized (or larger), red nodule, may ooze pus or weep.
Treatment includes warm, wet compresses several times a day. Oral or topical antibiotics may be indicated in some cases.
hidradenitis
The inflammation of a sweat gland (usually of the apocrine type). The condition can be idiopathic or occur as a result of or in association with another underlying condition. Neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis is a relatively rare variant that has been reported in patients undergoing chemotherapy, usually for non-hodgkin lymphomas or leukaemic conditions.
ointments
Semisolid preparations used topically for protective emollient effects or as a vehicle for local administration of medicaments; ointment bases are various mixtures of fats, waxes, animal and plant oils and solid and liquid hydrocarbons.
salve
1. An adhesive composition or substance to be applied to wounds or sores; a healing ointment.
2. A soothing remedy or antidote. "COUNSEL OR CONSOLATION WE MAY BRING. SALVE TO THY SORES.
staphylococcal
Infection due to staphylococcus.
staphylococcus
(bacteria) Genus of nonmotile gram-positive bacteria that are found in clusters and that produce important exotoxins. Staphylococcus aureus (Staphylococcus pyogenes) is pyogenic, an opportunistic pathogen and responsible for a range of infections including severe sepsis, pneumonia, endocarditis and soft tissue infections. It has protein A on the surface of the cell wall. Coagulase production correlates with virulence: hyaluronidase, lipase and staphylokinase are released in addition to the toxins.

All these definitions found by a quick search of the [Online Medical Dictionary].

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Site first published: February 10, 1999
Site last updated: July 26, 2006


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