V

Varicella (chickenpox)

Varicella is a highly contagious primary infection caused by the herpes varicella-zoster virus, characterized by sucessive crops of itch small blisters which can evolve into pustules, crusts and even scars. There is often associated headache, fever, generalized aches, and malaise. In adults the disease is usually more severe and may lead to pneumonia, encephalitis and myocarditis.

Vasculitis

Vasculitis refers to inflamation of the blood vessels in the skin. Typically this may represent an allergic reaction to medication or infection or less often may represent an auto-immune disease. Vasculitis manifests as small bruises under the skin which may be bright red to purple. It is more commonly seen on the legs. One has to exclude that this is not part of a body wide process which would result in blood in the stool, urine, or saliva. The more common allergic type usually resolves when offending drug, infection, or tumor is removed.

Verruca Vulgaris

(see warts)

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a condition in which pigment cells are destroyed; resulting in irregularly shaped white patches on the skin. Any part of the body may be affected. Common sites are exposed areas (face, neck, eyes, nostrils, nipples, navel, genitalia), body folds (armpits, groin). Also, sites of injury (cuts, scrapes, burns), around pigmented moles, hair (early greying of hair on scalp and body), and the retina.