What Is Erythema Elevatum Diutinum? Erythema elevatum diutinum is a rare leucocytoclastic vasculitis thought to be caused by an immune response that is characterized by inflammation, a rash, and scarring of small blood vessels of the skin. A characteristic poorly defined ...

What Is Edema? Edema is an abnormal swollen condition of the skin characterized by excess extracellular fluid volume, meaning there is an increase of the fluid that normally surrounds cells. Edema may be hardly noticeable or it can become extensive. ...

What Is Acquired Cutis Laxa? Acquired cutis laxa is an uncommon skin disorder characterized by abnormal reduction and degeneration of elastic fibers of the skin that can appear simply as thick, saggy skin with loose folds to severe involvement showing ...

What Is Cutaneous Vasculitis? Cutaneous vasculitis is a vascular disease of small blood vessels serving the skin that is characterized by segmental (spotty) inflammation of affected vessel walls resulting in their necrosis (destruction). Scarring is seen in the affected skin ...

What Are Rounded Nails With Curved Ends? Rounded, curved, dark and dry nails are a well known feature of vitamin B12 deficiency. Q: How does vitamin B12 deficiency cause the nails to grow this way? A: Vitamin B12 deficiency affects ...

What Is Fine Hair With Rough Texture? Fine hair (lower diameter across the width) with rough texture is an abnormal hair shaft feature altered from the normal diameter and smooth quality of hair. Q: What is the normal diameter and smooth quality of ...

What Is IgA Deficiency? IgA deficiency (IgAD) is an immunodeficiency disease characterized by lack of immunoglobulin A type antibody production, called IgA antibody, with no detectable levels in blood or secretions. Q: What is an IgA antibody? A: IgA is ...

What Is Common Variable Immunodeficiency? Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary antibody deficiency disease characterized by the onset of recurrent bacterial infections resulting from markedly decreased immunoglobulin antibody production and antibody levels. Q: What causes common variable immunodeficiency? A: Common variable ...

What Are Autoimmune Disorders? Autoimmune disorders refer to those conditions that involve an abnormal attack on the body’s own tissues perpetuated by the production of autoantibodies directed against self. Q: What happens when autoantibodies attack the body’s own tissues? A: ...

What Is Allergic Rhinitis? Allergic rhinitis is an immune disorder characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucosa by an IgE antibody reaction to an allergen. An allergen is something that triggers an allergic immune response. Q: What is the immune ...

What Is Parathyroid Carcinoma? Parathyroid carcinoma is a slow growing rare malignancy involving overactive parathyroid glands and is characterized by profound hypercalcemia (elevated blood calcium level), parathyroid hormone levels of more than 3 times upper normal limits, and palpable neck mass.1 ...

What Is Idiopathic Hypoparathyroidism? Idiopathic hypoparathyroidism is a metabolic condition that results from reduced secretion or impaired action of parathyroid hormone (PTH) which results in a combination of low calcium and elevated phosphorus levels in the body. Calcium and phosphorus are ...

What Is Primary Hyperparathyroidism? Primary hyperparathyroidism is a parathyroid disorder characterized by excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone by one or more parathyroid glands for more than 6 months. In primary hyperparathyroidism, blood calcium levels are high while phosphorus levels are ...

What Is Steatorrhea? Steatorrhea is a condition of abnormal stool composition and consistency that is due to high fat content because fat from food is not  digested and absorbed into the body but rather passes out with stool.1 Q: How ...

What Is Pancreatic Insufficiency? Pancreatic insufficiency is a disorder characterized by insufficient exocrine production of pancreatic enzymes for normal digestion of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates that results in maldigestion of these foodstuffs. Pancreatic insufficiency also causes malabsorption of the fat-soluble ...