Matchbox
Matchbox (medical)
Matchbox (pronunciation: /ˈmatʃbɒks/) is a term used in the medical field, particularly in the context of parasitology. It refers to the "matchbox sign," a diagnostic technique used to identify the presence of certain parasites, such as scabies.
Etymology
The term "matchbox" originates from the English words "match," a device for starting a fire, and "box," a container. In the medical context, the term "matchbox sign" was coined due to the method of collecting skin scrapings in a matchbox for examination, a practice common in the early 20th century.
Usage
In medical practice, the "matchbox sign" is used to describe a situation where a patient presents to a healthcare provider with a collection of skin scrapings or debris, often collected in a matchbox or similar container. This is commonly seen in patients with intense pruritus (itching) and is indicative of conditions such as scabies or dermatitis herpetiformis.
Related Terms
- Scabies: A contagious skin infestation by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, often diagnosed using the matchbox sign.
- Pruritus: The sensation that provokes the desire to scratch, often a symptom in conditions diagnosed using the matchbox sign.
- Dermatitis herpetiformis: A chronic blistering skin condition, characterized by blisters filled with a watery fluid. Despite its name, it is not related to herpes but is so named because the condition is similar in appearance.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Matchbox
- Wikipedia's article - Matchbox
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski