Skin Lesions

Macule

• A flat, circumscribed area that is a change in the colour of the skin; ​

• less than 1 cm in diameter

Patch

A flat, non-palpable, irregular-shaped macule more than 1 cm in diameter

Papule

An elevated circumscribed area less than 1 cm in diameter

Plaque

• Elevated, firm and rough lesion with flat top surface ​

• greater than 1 cm in diameter

Nodule

• Elevated, firm, circumscribed lesion; deeper in dermis than a papule; ​

• 1–2 cm in diameter

Tumour

Elevated, solid lesion; may be clearly demarcated; deeper in dermis; greater than 2 cm in diameter

Wheal

• Elevated, irregular-shaped area of oedema;​

• solid, transient; ​

• variable diameter

Vesicle

• Elevated, circumscribed, superficial, does not extend into dermis; filled with serous fluid; ​

• less than 1 cm in diameter

Bulla

• Vesicle greater than 1 cm in diameter ​

• Elevated, round, fluid filled

Pustule

Elevated, superficial lesion; similar to a vesicle but filled with purulent fluid

Petechiae

• tiny, flat, reddish purple, nonblanchable spots in the skin ​

• less than 0.5cm diameter​

• appears as tiny red spots pinpoint to pinhead size​

Crust

dried drainage or blood, slightly elevated, variable size, colour,

Basal cell carcinoma

• 0.5 -1.0cm crusted lesion​

• may be flat or raised ​

• may have rolled or scaly border​

• Slow growing​

• Rarely spreads

Squamous cell carcinoma

• 0.5-1.5cm scaly lesions​

• ​May be ulcerated or crusted​

• Irregular border​

• Mucosal surfaces and non exposed areas

• grow rapidly

Melanoma

• 0.5-1.0cm brown, flat lesions​

• On sun-exposed or non exposed skin​

• Varigated pigmentation, irregular borders, indistinct margins​

• Look for recent growth or changes

A - melanoma

Asymmetry: two halves of the mole are different from one another

B - melanoma

Border: the edges of the mole are poorly defined. It is ragged, notched, blurred or an irregular shape

C - melanoma

Colour: the colour is uneven with shades of black, brown and tan. May also be white, grey, red, pink or blue

D - melanoma

Different: from other lesions (ugly duckling) there is a change, particularly an increase, in size.

E - melanoma

Evolving: changing