SKIN, HAIR, AND NAILS ASSESSMENT part two

what is the acronym for early signs of skin cancer and what does it stand for?

ABCDE

Asymmetry

Border irregularity

Color variation

Diameter

Elevation & Evolution (changed over time)

when should you put on sunscreen and how often should you reapply?

30 mins before exposure; reapply every 2-3 hours

ecchymoses

bruising, there can be many different causes for it

primary skin lesion

a newly formed skin lesion

secondary skin lesion

pre-existing lesion that changed over time or was messed with

macule

flat darkened area less than 1cm such as freckles

patch

flat darkened area greater than 1cm such as vitiligo

papule

round elevated area less than 0.5cm such as a wart

plaque

round elevated area greater than 0.5cm such as psoriasis

nodule

deep in dermis, 0.5-2cm

tumor

deep in the dermis, many cms, can be benign

wheal

solid, little space of interstitial fluid by itself

urticaria (hives)

solid, little space of interstitial fluid (multiple wheals together)

vesicle

elevated area filled with serous fluid, less than 1cm (herpes, chickenpox)

bulla

elevated area filled w/serous fluid, greater than 1cm (blisters)

cyst

fluid filled cavity (sebaceous cyst)

pustule

elevated area filled with pus (acne)

keloid

secondary skin lesion; benign growth of excess scar tissue

fissure

secondary skin lesion; linear crack that may extend into dermis (athletes foot)

erosion

secondary skin lesion; larger loss of the epidermis; appears moist but not actually bleeding (canker sore)

warts (verrucae)

less than 1cm, elevated, caused by virus, treatable

angioedema

life-threatening; can happen whenever taking blood pressure meds

what could oily hair mean?

the patient could have endocrine issues

brisk capillary refill in fingernails

good circulation (color restoration within 3 secs)

sluggish capillary refill in fingernails

not very good circulation (color restoration over 3 secs)

what does clubbing of fingernails mean?

chronic oxygen deficiency