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acne vulgaris
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a common inflammatory skin reaction caused by bacteria, dead skin cells, or dried sebum that clogs hair follicles and prevents sebum from passing up through the pores
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angioedema
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swelling of the face, lips, throat, or airways
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apocrine gland
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correlates with the hair follicles present in the perineum, axillae, and areolae of the breasts
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arrector pili muscle
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triggers hair follicle on the body to flex causing the hair to rise up
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basal cell carcinoma
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the most common skin cancer that is generally found on the head or neck; it may be serious but is not usually fatal
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blackhead
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flesh-colored, small bump with a dark center
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bulla
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large blister
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bullous impetigo
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type of impetigo that has large, flaccid bullae on the skin that rupture and leave a thin brown crust
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carbuncle
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skin abscess that connects to others below the surface of the skin to form clusters, often forming when one of more hair follicles become infected
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cellulitis
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localized infection and inflammation of the skin and tissues that are immediately beneath the skin
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comedone extraction
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use of a comedone extractor by a healthcare professional to remove blackheads and whiteheads by incising the pore and then using gentle pressure around the pore opening with a wire loop
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cystic acne
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lesions that are usually large, red, painful, and pus-filled nodules that merge under the skin and often leave scars
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defensin
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has antimicrobial and/or cytotoxic properties and is part of the body’s first immune defense
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dermatosis papulose nigra
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small dark or skin-colored bumps on the face, neck, and upper torso, common in people with darker skin colors
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dermis
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the layer of skin below the epidermis connected to the epidermis by dermal papillae
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disseminated zoster
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herpes zoster rash that affects three or more dermatomes
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eccrine gland
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is located over the skin entirely, secretes sweat, and aids in thermoregulation
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ecthyma
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(deep impetigo) a skin infection that occurs deep inside the skin characterized by shallow, small ulcers that look punched-out and may contain pus
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eczema
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(atopic dermatitis) rash characterized by itchy, chronic inflammation of the upper skin layers and is associated with a heightened immune response
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emollient
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ingredient that soothes skin dryness
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erythema
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a change in skin color due to a change in blood flow
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filiform wart
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long, small, narrow growth that appears on the lips, face, or eyelids
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flat wart
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may appear in areas that are shaved or along stretch marks
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folliculitis
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an infection of the skin follicle
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genital wart
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(condyloma acuminata, venereal wart) occurs on the vagina, vulva, cervix, or penis
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herpes simplex
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viral infection that can cause painful blisters or ulcers
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herpes zoster
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(shingles) maculopapular rash associated with shingles most often appears on the trunk of the body along a thoracic dermatome
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hydroxylation
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the chemical process in which a hydroxyl group (–OH) is introduced into an organic compound
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hyperpigmentation
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darkened patches of skin (liver spots)
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hypodermis
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the subcutaneous fatty layer beneath the dermis that anchors the dermis to the underlying tissues of the body
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hypopigmentation
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lighter patches of skin (age spots)
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impetigo
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highly contagious bacterial skin infection that forms pustules and yellow crusty sores
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Kaposi sarcoma
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a rare type of cancer caused by a virus
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keloid
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a thick fibrous scar caused by excessive collagen formation in response to trauma or a surgical incision
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keratin
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fibrous water-repellant protein gives the epidermis its strong, protective quality
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keratinization
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a thickening of plasma membranes of a cell
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keratinocyte
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cell that produces keratin
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Langerhans cell
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antigen-processing cell that determines the appropriate response to (inflammation) or tolerance of foreign substances
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maceration
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the softening of tissues caused by prolonged wetting or soaking
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malignant melanoma
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the most dangerous type of skin cancer; originates in the melanocytes
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melanin
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dark brown to black pigment protects the keratinocytes and nerve endings from ultraviolet light damage that appears in the skin and hair
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melanocyte
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cell that produces melanin and keratinocyte
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Merkel cell
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found in the stratum basale and serves as a sensory receptor for light touch
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mitotic activity
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the degree in which a population of cells proliferates
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MOHS procedure
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layers of the skin are removed and examined for cancer cells until no signs of cancer remain
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mosaic wart
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wart that grows in clusters
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nonbullous impetigo
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type of impetigo that has pustules that rapidly break down and form thick, adherent, honey-colored crusts on the face and extremities
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osteomalacia
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bone demineralization
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palmar wart
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wart on the palm of the hand
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papillary layer
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thin, dermal layer of the dermis composed of loose connective tissue, which contacts the epidermis
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pediculosis
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lice infestation
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pediculosis capitis
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lice infestation of the scalp
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pediculosis corporis
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lice infestation of the body
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pediculosis pubis
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lice infestation of the hairs of the anal and genital areas but can also infest the thigh, chest, and facial hair
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perspiration
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(sweat) excess water and salts that are eliminated from the body via sweat glands
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photodynamic therapy
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using lasers and chemicals on the skin
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pimple
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has a small area of red skin and can be painful or cause discomfort
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pityriasis
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any of various skin conditions characterized by dry scaling patches of skin
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plantar wart
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wart on the sole of the foot
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postinflammatory hyperpigmentation
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temporary pigmentation that occurs after an injury or inflammatory skin condition, most commonly seen in people with darker skin types
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prodromal state
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period between the appearance of initial symptoms and the full development of an illness causing headache, malaise, chills, or photophobia
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pruritus
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itching
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psoriasis
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a recurring, chronic skin condition that causes one or more raised areas of red skin patches with silvery scales and a distinct border
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pustule
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similar to a pimple but contains white or yellow pus
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Raynaud phenomenon
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a condition that causes pale or blue fingers with cold exposure
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reticular layer
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thick, dermal layer of the dermis that consists of dense connective tissue, collagen bundles, and houses most of the sweat glands, sebaceous glands, hair follicles, hair, muscles, blood vessels, and deep sensory neurons
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scabies
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tissue that produces red and white blood cells and platelets; where hematopoiesis takes place
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sebaceous gland
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secretes sebum, an oily substance that makes the hair and skin waterproof
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seborrheic dermatitis
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inflammatory skin reaction primarily on the scalp and face
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squamous cell carcinoma
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the second most common type of skin cancer that generally develops on sun-exposed areas but can grow where sun exposure is limited
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stratum basale
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(stratum germinativum) deepest layer of the epidermis that contains melanocytes and keratinocytes
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stratum corneum
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thickest and outermost layer of the epidermis that secretes defensins as part of the body’s first immune defense
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stratum granulosum
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layer above the stratum spinosum that contains a glycolipid, which slows water loss across the epidermis
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stratum lucidum
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layer of skin only found in thick areas like the soles of the feet and palms of hands
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stratum spinosum
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layer above the stratum basale and contains cytoplasmic processes (spines) that extend outward and contact neighboring cells
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subcutaneous tissue
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the subcutaneous fatty layer (hypodermis) beneath the dermis that separates the skin from the underlying tissue
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systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
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a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder involving connective tissues of the joints, skin, kidneys, mucous membranes, and blood vessel walls
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telangiectasias
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red marks on the skin caused by the widening of shallow blood vessels
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tenting
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the skin does not snap back when pinched; instead, it maintains a tentlike shape, which may indicate dehydration
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tinea
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(ringworm) may be found on the feet, beard, body, groin, scalp, or toes
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tinea barbae
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(beard ringworm) fungal infection of the beard
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tinea capitis
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fungal infection of the scalp
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tinea corporis
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fungal skin infection of the arms, trunk, legs, and face
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tinea cruris
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fungal infection of the groin
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tinea pedis
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(athlete’s foot) fungal infection of the feet
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tinea unguium
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(onychomycosis) fungal infection of the toenail or fingernail
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transdermal administration
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placed on the skin and absorbed either locally or systemically
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urticaria
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(hives) rash of raised, swollen, flesh-colored or red bumps or welts on the skin
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varicella
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(chickenpox) caused by the varicella-zoster virus
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verruca
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(wart) raised or flat growth caused by the viral infection human papillomavirus
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vesicle
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small blister
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vitiligo
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chronic autoimmune disorder that causes partial or total loss of skin color in patches
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whitehead
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flesh-colored small bump that does not have a dark center
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xerosis
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skin dryness