Glossary "S"

SALICYLIC ACID (SAL ih SILL ik):
A keratolytic agent.

SCALE:
Accumulation of stratum corneum corneocytes. Scales are dry, whitish or brown, platelike stratum corneum cells that visibly flake from the skin surface. Scale is a common feature of many skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis, dry skin and ichthyosis.

SCAR:
Visible change in the skin’s appearance following repair after injury or disease.

SCREEN:
Tests designed to weed out drugs without promise during the drug development process.

SEBACEOUS DUCT (sih BAY shus):
Duct through which the sebaceous gland empties sebum into the sebaceous follicle.

SEBACEOUS GLAND:
Gland in the dermis that produces sebum. Distributed over almost the entire body but concentrated on the face, upper back and chest.

SEBORRHEA (SEB or REE uh):
Increased sebum secretion. Implicated in the pathogenesis of acne.

SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS (SEB or REE ik DUR muh TIE tis):
Common inflammatory condition that most often affects the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, area between the eyebrows, the folds at the sides of the lower part of the nose, and the ears. The armpits, groin, buttocks and skin folds underneath the breasts can also be affected.

SEBORRHEIC KERATOSIS (SEB or REE ik KER ah TOH sis):
Benign skin lesion that is most common skin tumor in the middle-aged and elderly. Usually found on the face, shoulders, chest and back. The lesions are flesh colored to tan or brown, and are often described as looking pasted on.

SEBUM (SEE bum):
Viscous, pale yellow secretion of the sebaceous glands. Contains squalene, waxes and cholesterol. Implicated in the pathogenesis of acne.

SECONDARY INFECTION:
Whenever the integrity of the skin is compromised by a primary skin disease, such as atopic dermatitis, there is always the chance that an infectious organism (bacteria, virus, yeast) may produce an infection.

SELENIUM SULFIDE (se LEH nee um SUL fide):
Ingredient found in dandruff shampoos. Selenium sulfide inhibits mitotic activity and kills yeasts.

SHAVE BIOPSY:
A biopsy technique used to remove very superficial lesions. The lesion is simply shaved off by moving a scalpel back and forth.

SIDE EFFECT:
An unwanted reaction to a topical or systemic drug.

SOAP:
Cleansing agent which is a sodium or potassium salt of animal or vegetable fat.

SOLVENT:
Liquid substance able to dissolve or disperse other substances.

SQUALENE:
Component of sebum.

SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA (SKAW mus sell KAR sih NO muh):
Malignant neoplasm that arises from the keratinocytes and appears as a scaling plaque or nodule that can bleed or ulcerate. Usually appears on sun-exposed areas.

STAPHYLOCOCCUS EPIDERMIDIS (STAFF ih low COCK us EP ih DUR mih dis):
Bacterium which colonizes the sebaceous follicle.

STASIS DERMATITIS (STAY ses DUR muh TIE tis):
Condition characterized by itchy eczema-like eruptions on the lower legs and ankles. A secondary complication of varicose veins and other diseases of the veins affecting the legs.

STEARYL ALCOHOL (STEE ah rul):
A higher alcohol. Used as an emollient in topical dermatological preparations.

STEROID:
See corticosteroid.

STEROID ACNE:
The appearance of erythematous papules and pustules on the trunk, shoulders, and upper arms 7 - 14 days after beginning high-dose systemic steroids and within 3 - 6 weeks of lower dose corticosteroids; increased risk in those with acne or in those with a past history of acne.

STEROID-RESPONSIVE DERMATOSIS:
Skin condition that responds to treatment with topical corticosteroids.

STEROID ROSACEA (steroid use, abuse, mis-use dermatitis):
The prolonged use (greater than two weeks) of a topical cortisone cream, no matter how "weak," has the potential in a given person at a given time to produce damage to skin (thinning skin, skin addiction to cortisone, hair growth, discoloration, etc.).

STRATUM CORNEUM(STRAY tum or STRAT um KOR nee um):
The horny cell layer of the epidermis.

STRATUM GERMINATIVUM (JUR mih NAY tive um):
The basal cell layer of the epidermis. The layer where normal cell division takes place.

STRATUM GRANULOSUM (GRAN yule LOW sum):
The granular layer of the epidermis. The cells of this layer contain keratohyalin granules, which contain a protein called filaggrin.

STRATUM LUCIDUM (lew SID um):
The clear cell layer of the epidermis. Appears only on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.

STRATUM SPINOSUM (spih NOH sum):
The prickle cell layer of the epidermis. Consists of many rows of cells that appear to be held together by spines or prickles.

STRIAE (STRY eh):
Skin stretch marks. A possible side effect of topical corticosteroids.

SUBACUTE:
Less marked in severity and/or length of course than a corresponding acute condition.

SUBCUTANEOUS (SUB cue TAY nee us):
Beneath the skin.

SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE:
A layer of fat that lies beneath the dermis and acts as an insulator and shock absorber.

SUBCUTIS (sub CUE tis):
Subcutaneous tissue.

SUBUNGUAL (sub UNG gwel):
In relation to position under nail plate.

SULFUR:
Peeling agent sometimes used in the topical treatment of acne.

SURFACTANT (sir FACT tant):
Surface active agent. Used as a cleansing agent in soap-free cleansers.

SYNTHETIC BAR (sin THET ik):
A type of skin cleanser developed about 50 years ago as an improvement on soap. Contains synthetic surfactants as cleansing agents. Much less irritating than soap.

SYSTEMIC (sis TEM ik):
Affecting the entire body not just one of its parts.

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