Definition Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a chronic mental illness in which individuals obsess over some perceived flaw in their appearance. This obsession typically takes over the person’s life to the point where they are unwilling to be seen in public and may take drastic and dangerous actions in an attempt …

Description Women who drink alcohol during pregnancy can give birth to babies with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, sometimes known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FASD). FASD is the umbrella term for a range of disorders. These disorders can be mild or severe and can cause physical and mental birth defects. Types …

Definition Erythema multiforme (EM) is typically an acute, self-limited but often relapsing, mucocutaneous inflammatory condition. This condition is considered to be an allergic reaction to medicine or an infection. Symptoms are symmetrical, red, raised skin areas that can appear all over the body. They do seem to be more noticeable …

Description Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects girls almost exclusively. It is characterized by normal early growth and development followed by a slowing of development, loss of purposeful use of the hands, distinctive hand movements, slowed brain and head growth, problems with walking, seizures, and intellectual disability. Although …

Definition A seborrheic keratosis is a growth on the skin. The growth is not cancer (benign). It’s a brown or black raised area. Seborrheic keratoses often appear on a person’s chest, arms, back, or other areas. They’re very common in people older than age 50, but younger adults can get …

Definition Septic bursitis (infectious bursitis) is an infection of the bursae, the small sacs of fluid that cushion and lubricate an area where tissues-including bone, tendon, ligament, muscle, or skin-rub against one another. Common sites of septic bursitis are the tips of the elbows and the kneecaps. People who repeat …

Definition Alopecia areata, also known as spot baldness, is an autoimmune disease in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body. Usually, the hair loss occurs from the scalp due to the body’s failure to recognize its own body cells and subsequent destruction of its own …

Definition Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or lupus, is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune system attacks various organs or cells of the body, causing damage and dysfunction. Lupus is called a multisystem disease because it can affect many different tissues and organs in the body. Some patients with …