Canadian Medical Guide > Chemicals and Drugs > Dermatologic Agents Terms and Definitions

Dermatologic Agents

Medical Definition:	Drugs used to treat or prevent skin disorders or for the routine care of skin.
Guide Notes:	GEN or unspecified; prefer specifics; consider also SKIN /drug eff & SKIN DISEASES /drug ther; DF: DERMATOL AGENTS

Dermatologic Agents Categories.

	Antipruritics - Agents, usually topical, that relieve itching (pruritus).
	Astringents - Agents, usually topical, that cause the contraction of tissues for the control of bleeding or secretions.
	Emollients - Oleagenous substances used topically to soothe, soften or protect skin or mucous membranes. They are used also as vehicles for other dermatologic agents.
	Keratolytic Agents - Agents that soften, separate, and cause desquamation of the cornified epithelium or horny layer of skin. They are used to expose mycelia of infecting fungi or to treat corns, warts, and certain other skin diseases.
	Photosensitizing Agents - Drugs that are pharmacologically inactive but when exposed to ultraviolet radiation or sunlight are converted to their active metabolite to produce a beneficial reaction affecting the diseased tissue. These compounds can be administered topically or systemically and have been used therapeutically to treat psoriasis and various types of neoplasms.
	Sunscreening Agents - Chemical or physical agents that protect the skin from sunburn and erythema by absorbing or blocking ultraviolet radiation.

Dermatologic Agents Medical Definitions and Terms

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