Transcript Skin lesions

Skin lesions
The Primary Lesions
Macule
Papule
Nodule
Tumor
Plaque
Vesicle
Bullae
Pustule
Wheal
Burrow
Telangiectasia
MACULE
A macule is a change in the color of
the skin. It is flat, if you were to
close your eyes and run your
fingers over the surface of a purely
macular lesion, you could not
detect it. A macule greater than 1
cm. may be referred to as a patch.
Examples of macules include freckles
and flat moles.
PAPULE
A papule is a solid raised lesion that
has distinct borders and is less than 1
cm in diameter. Papules may have a
variety of shapes in profile (domed,
flat-topped, umbilicated) and may be
associated with secondary features
such as crusts or scales
Papules are associated with such
conditions as warts, syphilis, psoriasis,
seborrheic and actinic keratoses,
lichen planus, and skin cancer
NODULE
A nodule is a raised solid lesion
more than 1 cm. and may be in the
epidermis, dermis, or
subcutaneous tissue
keratinous cysts, lipomas, fibromas
TUMOR
A tumor is a solid mass of the skin
or subcutaneous tissue; it is larger
than a nodule. (Please bear in
mind this definition does not at all
mean that the lesion is a
neoplasm.)
VESICLE
Vesicles are raised lesions less than
1 cm. in diameter that are filled
with clear fluid.
These lesions may be the result of
sunburns, insect bites, chemical
irritation, or certain viral infections,
such as herpes.
BULLAE
Bullae are circumscribed fluid-filled
lesions that are greater than 1 cm.
in diameter
PUSTULE
Pustules are circumscribed
elevated lesions that contain pus.
They are most commonly infected
(as in folliculitis) but may be sterile
(as in pustular psoriasis
A pustule is usually the result of an
infection, such as acne, imptigeo,
or boils
Wheal. A skin elevation caused by
swelling that can be itchy and
usually disappears soon after
erupting. Wheals are generally
associated with an allergic
reaction, such as to a drug or an
insect bite
WHEAL
A wheal is an area of edema in the
upper epidermis
Telangiectasia. Small, dilated blood
vessels that appear close to the
surface of the skin. Telangiectasia
is often a symptom of such
diseases as rosacea or scleroderma
TELANGIECTASIA
Telangiectasia are the permanent
dilatation of superficial blood
vessels in the skin and may occur
as isolated phenomena or as part
of a generalized disorder, such as
ataxia telangiectasia.
BURROW
Burrows are linear lesions
produced by infestation of the skin
and formation of tunnels (e.g.,
with infestation by the scabitic
mite or by cutaneous
The Secondary Lesions
Scale
Crust
Atrophy
Lichenification
Erosion
Excoriation
Fissure
Ulceration
Scar
Keloids
Petechiae, Purpura, and
Ecchymoses
Scale. A dry, horny build-up of
dead skin cells that often flakes off
the surface of the skin. Diseases
that promote scale include fungal
infections, psoriasis, and
seborrheic dermatitis
Crust. A dried collection of blood,
serum, or pus. Also called a scab, a
crust is often part of the normal
healing process of many infectious
lesions.
Erosion. Lesion that involves loss of
the epidermis.
EXCORIATION
Excoriations are traumatized or
abraded skin caused by scratching
or rubbing
FISSURE
A fissure is linear cleavage of skin
which extends into the dermis.
Atrophy. An area of skin that has
become very thin and wrinkled.
Normally seen in older individuals
and people who are using very
strong topical corticosteroid
medication
Scar. Discolored, fibrous tissue that
permanently replaces normal skin
after destruction of the dermis. A
very thick and raised scar is called
a keloid
KELOIDS
Keloids are an exaggerated
connective tissue response of
injured skin that extend beyond
the edges of the original wound.
Lichenification. Rough, thick
epidermis with exaggerated skin
lines. This is often a characteristic
of scratch dermatitis and atopic
dermatitis
Ulcer. Lesion that involves loss of
the upper portion of the skin
(epidermis) and part of the lower
portion (dermis). Ulcers can result
from acute conditions such as
bacterial infection or trauma
PETECHIAE, PURPURA, AND
ECCHYMOSES
Three terms that refer to bleeding that
occurs in the skin are petechiae,
purpura, and ecchymoses. Generally,
the term "petechiae" refers to smaller
lesions. "Purpura" and "ecchymoses"
are terms that refer to larger lesions.
In certain situations purpura may be
palpable.
In all situations, petechiae,
ecchymoses, and purpura do not
blanch when pressed. If there is
any question, press on the lesions
carefully with a glass slide. Don't
break the slide or cut the patient