Integumentary System
Lesson 5: Dermatological Drugs
5-1
5-1. INTRODUCTION
a. General. Skin is a boundary between man and his environment-- physically and psychologically. The way a person's skin looks--healthy and glowing or full of ugly lesions--brings different responses from people he meets. A person with diseased skin or even a temporary rash may suddenly become self- conscious and shy. Skin problems of adolescents are painful in their development. Additionally, some skin diseases may be physically disabling. Thickened, dry skin with fissures on the hands of a skilled craftsman or surgeon can have an impact on whether or not the person can continue working. The physician who specializes in skin diseases, the dermatologist, can work to determine the cause of the skin problem, prescribe medication, and help the patient develop and function normally.
b. Terms. These terms will be used throughout this lesson. Become familiar with each term and its definition.
(1) Agent--anything capable of causing an effect on an organism.
(2) Bacteria--microscopic organisms concerned in producing disease.
(3) Disease--a malfunction of the body or of body parts.
(4) Drug--any substance or group of substances which affect living tissue. Specifically, the term may be defined as any substance used to prevent, diagnose, or treat disease.
(5) Fungus--rather large microorganisms which usually cause superficial, non life-threatening diseases.
(6) Infection--the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in body tissues, resulting in local cellular injury.
(7) Inflammation--a reaction of tissues to irritation, infection, or injury.
(8) Parasite--a plant or organism that lives on or within another living organism.
(9) Pathogen--any disease producing organism.
(10) Side effects--an effect other than the one for which the drug was administered; for example, drowsiness.
(11) Topical--refers to the method of administering medicine. Topical application means that the medicine was applied directly on the skin.
