Keratoconus is a condition of the eye in which the normally rounded cornea bulges outward into a cone shape. The cornea is the clear, central part of the front surface of the eye. It protects your eye and helps you focus for clear vision. You pronounce keratoconus as care-ah-ta-KO-nus. Eye care providers normally find keratoconus during your teenage years or your 20s and …

Keratitis is the medical name for inflammation of the cornea, the clear window that covers the iris and the pupil in your eye. Keratitis may cause a corneal ulcer. Keratitis can be divided into two categories based on cause: infectious keratitis or noninfectious keratitis. Some people call infectious keratitis “microbial” keratitis. Early signs and symptoms of keratitis include eye pain and redness. If you think you may …

A keloid scar (keloid) is a raised scar that grows larger than the wound that caused it. These scars tend to grow slowly — they can take months to years to develop after a skin injury. These scars don’t fade. They may affect your self-esteem and how you feel about the way you look. A healthcare provider can offer treatments to reduce …

Kawasaki disease or Kawasaki syndrome is a rare type of vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation). Inflamed blood vessels can become weak and stretched out. When that happens, they’re at risk of tearing or narrowing. This limits how much blood can get through to nourish tissues and organs. Kawasaki disease happens most often in children 6 months to 5 years of age. It affects …

Kaposi sarcoma (Kaposi’s sarcoma) is a form of soft tissue sarcoma. It affects people with weakened immune systems who also carry the rare virus human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). The virus turns healthy cells into cancerous cells. There are different types of Kaposi sarcoma, but all types cause cancerous lesions (tumors) on people’s skin. Healthcare providers can treat this condition, but it …

Patellar tendinitis is inflammation in the patellar tendon at the front of your knee. The patellar tendon connects your kneecap (patella) to the top of your shin bone (tibia). It works with your quad muscle to move your knee and lower leg. Patellar tendinitis happens when you overuse your patellar tendon. Healthcare providers sometimes call patellar tendinitis jumper’s knee because it’s common among athletes who jump a …

Jock itch is a common fungal (caused by a fungus) infection similar to ringworm. Jock itch causes an itchy, stinging, burning rash on the skin around your groin, inner thighs and butt crack (gluteal cleft). Tinea cruris is another name for jock itch. Tinea is another name for ringworm, and cruris means groin. With this infection, your skin may become …

Pruritus is a medical term that means itching. It refers to a feeling or sensation on your skin that you want to scratch. Pruritus can be painful or irritating and could be localized to one area of your body or spread throughout several areas. Pruritus can be a symptom of an underlying condition. It has many possible causes; the most …

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (also called islet cell tumors or pancreatic NETs) are rare tumors that start in your pancreas’ endocrine cells. Your pancreas is a flat pear-shaped gland tucked beside your stomach and small bowel. Endocrine cells in your pancreas make hormones that manage digestion and blood sugar levels. A pancreatic NET may affect your digestive system or your blood sugar levels. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous. How …

Iritis (i-RYE-tis) is swelling and irritation (inflammation) in the colored ring around your eye’s pupil (iris). Another name for iritis is anterior uveitis. The uvea is the middle layer of the eye between the retina and the white part of the eye. The iris is located in the front portion (anterior) of the uvea. Iritis is the most common type …