How to Pronounce Balsam of Peru Dermatitis
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Balsam of Peru Dermatitis Pronunciation
BAL-sam uv peh-ROO der-mah-TY-tis
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
BAL
stress here
sam uv peh
ROO der
mah
TY
stress here
tis
6 syllables
What is Balsam of Peru Dermatitis?
An allergic contact dermatitis caused by sensitivity to Myroxylon pereirae (balsam of Peru), found in perfumes, flavorings, cosmetics, and topical medicaments. It produces eczema on the lips, mouth, and hands, and reactions to related fragrance chemicals are common.
Questions About Balsam of Peru Dermatitis
How do you pronounce 'balsam of Peru dermatitis'?
+
Say it like this: BAL-sam uv peh-ROO der-mah-TY-tis. The stress falls on the first syllable of 'balsam' (BAL) and the last syllable of 'dermatitis' (TY). The middle part 'of Peru' is said quickly and softly, like you're naming a place.
What does 'balsam' mean?
+
'Balsam' refers to a thick, fragrant resin or oil that comes from plants. The word comes from the Greek word 'balsamum,' which was used for healing and scented substances. In this case, balsam of Peru is a specific type of plant extract.
Why does this condition have 'Peru' in its name?
+
The substance that causes this condition, called Myroxylon pereirae, comes from trees native to Central America, particularly Peru and El Salvador. The term 'balsam of Peru' has been used historically to describe this plant extract, even though it may not come directly from Peru today.
What does 'dermatitis' mean in this term?
+
'Dermatitis' comes from two Greek roots: 'derma' meaning skin, and 'itis' meaning inflammation. So 'dermatitis' simply means inflammation of the skin, and when paired with 'balsam of Peru,' it describes skin inflammation caused by this specific substance.
How many syllables does 'balsam of Peru dermatitis' have?
+
The full term has 9 syllables: BAL-sam (2) + of (1) + Pe-RU (2) + der-ma-TI-tis (4). Breaking it into chunks makes it easier to say: say 'balsam of Peru' as one piece, then add 'dermatitis' as a separate word.
What is a common mispronunciation of this term?
+
Many people mistakenly stress the second syllable, saying 'bal-SAM of Peru dermatitis' instead of 'BAL-sam of Peru dermatitis.' Others rush through 'of Peru' or stress the wrong syllable in dermatitis, like 'der-MAH-titis' instead of 'der-mah-TY-tis.'
Are there related words that share the 'dermat-' root?
+
Yes! Words like 'dermatology' (the study of skin), 'dermatologist' (a skin doctor), and 'dermal' (relating to skin) all share the 'dermat-' root meaning skin. Learning this root helps you understand many other medical words.
Can you use this word in a simple sentence?
+
Here's an example: 'The dermatologist explained that my rash was balsam of Peru dermatitis caused by a fragrance in my lotion.' This shows how you'd use the term when talking about this specific skin condition.