Skin pathologies

melanoma

melanoma

skin cancer

superficial spreading melanoma

most common malignant melanoma

brown or black raised patch with an irregular border and may include variable pigmentation

nodular melanoma

most aggressive form of melanoma

small suddenly appearing, but quickly enlarging bump or papule

most are black

lentigo malignant melanoma

less common

as lesions enlarge, they can show more variations in pigment

acral lentiginous melanoma

usually dark brown or black

most common in people with darker skin tones

burn

injury from direct contact with or exposure to any thermal, chemical, electrical or radiation source

burn severity

determined by the depth of the burn injury and the total body surface area involved

thermal burns

caused by exposure to sources such as flame, hot liquid, hot steam, or hot objects

chemical burns

caused by tissue contact with or ingestion, inhalation, or injection of strong acids, alkalis, or organic compounds

electrical burns

caused by heat that is generated by electrical energy as it passes through the body

radiation burns

caused by exposure to radioactive source

epidermis

superficial burn

sunburn, UV exposure, brief exposure to flash, flame or hot liquids

dermis

partial thickness burn

superficial: scalding liquids, semi liquids, or solids

deep: immersion scald, flame

subcutaneous tissue

full thickness burn

prolonged exposure to chemical, electrical, flame, scalding liquids or steam

cutaneous burns

exposure to excessive heat results in denaturation of proteins, water vaporization, and cutaneous blood vessel thrombosis in affected areas

electrical burns

heat is generated as the electricity travels throughout the body, resulting in internal tissue damage and potential multisystem injury

infection

most common and life threatening complication of burn injuries

hands and joints

burns here can result in permanent physical and vocational disability, requiring extensive therapy and rehab

pressure injury

lesion caused by unrelieved pressure, resulting in damage to underlying tissue

usually occur over bony prominences

pressure injury risk factors

sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, friction/shear

stage 1 pressure injury

intact skin with a localized are of non-blanchable erythema

stage 2 pressure injury

partial thickness loss of skin with exposed dermis

adipose is not visible and deeper tissues are not visible

granulation tissue, slough, and eschar are not present

stage 3 pressure injury

full thickness loss of skin, in which adipose is visible in the ulcer and granulation tissues and epibole are often present

slough and/or eschar may be visible

fascia, muscle tendon, ligament, cartilage, and or bone are not exposed

stage 4 pressure injury

full thickness skin and tissue loss with exposed or directly palpable fascia, muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage, or bone in the ulcer

slough and/or eschar may be visible

unstageable pressure injury

full thickness skin and tissue loss in which the extent of tissue damage within the ulcer cannot be confirmed because it is obscured by slough or eschar

deep tissue pressure injury

results from intense and or prolonged pressure and shear forces at the bone-muscle interface

wound may evolve rapidly to reveal the actual extent of tissue injury or may resolve without tissue loss