Disorders of the Skin

Excoriation

Raw linear lesion breaking epidermis

Macule

< 5mm diameter colored, flat, lesion

Patch

5mm diameter colored, flat, lesion

Papule

Elevated, domed or flat-topped lesion < 5mm in diameter

Nodule

5mm elevated lesion

Plaque

Elevated flat-topped lesion usually > 5mm in diameter

Pustule

Pus-filled, raised, discrete lesion

Vesicle

Fluid-filled raised lesion < 5mm in diameter

Bulla

5mm fluid-filled raised lesion

Wheal

Elevated, itchy, transient, erythemic/blanched lesion

Scale

Dry, plate-like formation

Psoriasis

Autoimmune disorder causing itchy, red scaling skin

Lichenification

Thickened, rough skin caused by repeated rubbing

Eczema

Dry, itchy patches of skin aka dermatitis caused by contact with an environmental trigger

Onycholysis

Separation of the nail plate from the nail bed

Koilonychia

Flattening of the nail plate

Muehrcke Nails

Alternating bands of white running parallel to the lunule

Mee’s Lines

Multiple alternating light/white bands running parallel to the lunule

Beau’s Lines

Horizontal ridges on the nails

Abrasion

Scrape which may cover a small or large area

Incision

Linear cut by a sharp object

Laceration

Jagged tear in skin caused by a dull object or solid impact

Puncture

Penetrating wound caused by slender, sharp object

Avulsion

Mechanical force rips chunks of flesh out

First-degree burns

Only epidermis is damaged; skin is red and swollen

Second-degree burns

Epidermis and upper dermis damaged; skin is red with blisters

Third-degree burns

Destroys entire skin layer; burned area is gray-white or black

Melanoma

2% of skin cancers but causes most skin cancer deaths

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Most common skin cancer; arises in stratum basale, rarely metastasizes

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Second most common skin cancer; more common in men than women

Ephelis (freckles)

Most common childhood pigmented lesion; small tan-red or light-brown macules caused by sun exposure

Lentigo

Small tan-brown macules or patches that do not darken with sun exposure

Nevi

Congenital skin lesions; important to differentiate from melanoma

rules of nine

anterior & posterior head & neck: 9%

anterior & posterior upper limbs: 18%

anterior & posterior trunk: 36%

anterior & posterior lower limbs: 36%

perineum: 1%

critical burn

>25% 2nd

>10% 3rd

3rd face, hands, feet

asymmetry, border irregularity, color, diameter, evolution

ABCDE Rule

D >6mm

ugly duckling

Developed by Grob et al in 2008, this asserts that nevi tend to resemble each other on an individual basis, so any deviation is diagnostic of melanoma.

Actinic Keratoses

Also known as Solar or Senile keratoses, rough, scaly patches on sun-exposed skin. They are considered precursors to skin cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma. These lesions occur due to prolonged ultraviolet (UV) light exposure and are most common in fair-skinned individuals over the age of 40. Actinic keratoses can vary in color, from tan to red to brown, and may feel dry or itchy. Regular monitoring and potential treatment, such as cryotherapy or topical medications, are recommended to manage these lesions.

tongue, squamous cell carcinoma

Structure’s name and corresponding disorder

simplex

solar

tanning bed

profusa

junctional nevi

compound nevi