Essential Dermatology Terms for Medical Assistants

Outer layer of skin

epidermis

middle layer of skin

dermis

What is in the dermis?

sweat gland, muscle, hair, oil glands, and nerves

Macule

a small flat spot of the skin

papule

small, solid, raised lesion on surface of the skin

patch

a large flat spot on the skin

plaque

a large raised spot on the skin

nodule

solid, round or oval elevated lesion 1 cm or more in diameter

tumor

a large solid bump on or below the skin

Vesicle

a small blister on the skin surface with clear fluid inside

bulla

a large blister on the skin surface with clear fluid inside

pustule

a pimple like spot on the skin with yellow to white fluid inside

scale

flaky skin on the surface of the area of interest

crust

stuck together clumps of surface material

excoriation

areas that look like they have been scratched

fissures

cracks in the skin surface

ulcers

an open wound that goes below the surface of the skin (or possibly deeper)

Lichenification

thickened skin that more clearly shows skin marking or line

atrophy

thinner skin that usually have a more wrinkled appearance

telangiectasia (spider angioma)

thin red blood vessels visible at the surface of the skin

erythematous

red

violaceous

purple

hyperpigmented

darker than the surrounding skin

Hypopigmented

Lighter than the surrounding skin

basal cell carcinoma

Most common and least severe type of skin cancer; often characterized by light or pearly nodules.

psoriasis

erythematous plaques with silvery scale

compound nevus

a regular mole.

actinic keratosis

AK erythematous rough scaly macules and papules. These are usually seen on sun-damaged skin. They are precancerous. Some will grow into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated

common treatment of AK

liquid nitrogen, prescription creams, in office procedures like photodynamic therapy

seborrheic keratosis

stuck on waxy brown papules. These are usually seen on the trunk, head, and neck. They tend to be an inherited trait. They are extremely common and harmless. Sometimes they can become irritated, itchy crusted it even bleed; in such cases, they can be easily treated at that time

cherry angioma

bright red to purple dome-shaped papuples. These are usually seen on the trunk and scalp. These are harmless skin growth that tend to be an inherited trait

what is another name for skin tag

acrochordon

sebaceous hyperplasia

orange to yellow umbilicated papule, These are enlarged oil glands are usually located on the face. They are not dangerous

what does umbilicated mean

small depression in the center

epidermoid cyst

mobile, subcutaneous nodule with overlying punctum (opening)

for the most part these are below the skin with a small opening at the surface with a black dot. Sometimes they wull rupture on the skin surface and cause a lot of redness, pain, swelling and there may be yellow purulent discharge as well

lipoma

firm, rubbery, mobile, non-tender, subcutaneous nodule. These are common fatty growths below the skin surface. They may be an inherited trait. They are harmless but tend to grow slowly over time

Verruca vulgaris

warts caused by viruses in the skin. They are type of human papiloma virus (HPV) that spreads from person to person. They may sometimes cause pain but generally arent dangerous but difficult to treat OTC

verruca vulgaris is another name for

common warts

verruca plantaris

plantar wart

molluscum contagiosum

umbilicated skin-colored to erythematous papules. These are a different type of viral wart that are commonly seen in children. These are also spread from person to person and can reappear after treatment

nevus

a mole which is a growth of melanocytes. Common moles or nevi can be raised or flat. These are very common benign growths

atypical or dysplastic nevus

mole that looks bad/ weird and can turn into melanoma

basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

pearly papule with talangiectasia. These are common forms of skin cancer. They are slow growing and almost never spread inside the body.

squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

Type of skin cancer more serious than basal cell carcinoma; often characterized by scaly red papules or nodules.

squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS)

abnormal cells are limited to the upper layers of the skin and may grow overtime to become SCC

melanoma (malignant melanoma, MM)

irregular variegated brown patch or plaque

melanoma in situ (MMIS/MIS)

earliest form of melanoma

eczema

noninfectious, inflammatory skin disease characterized by redness, blisters, scabs, and itching

most commonly seen in children

commonly treated with a topical steroid

seborrheic dermatitis

greasy, scaly, erythematous patches on the central face or scalp. This is a chronic condition and is often not itchy. Its treated with topical steroids or anti-fungal creams for the face and shampoo for the scalp

Psoriasis

erythematous plaques with thick scale. Caused by overactive immune system. Sometimes itchy and is on a scale for severity.

ask pt if they experience joint pain! can get arthritis from it.

contact dermatitis

this is an itchy rash caused by something that got onto the skin surface

Pityriasis Rosea

Presents with a herald (large scaly) patch, Christmas-tree pattern.

tinea

fungus most commonly seen on feet between toes and surface of skin in ring---ringworm

scaly and red

tinea capitis

ringworm of the scalp mostly seen in kids and results in hairloss--use oral medication

onychomycosis

fungal infection of the nail

Venous stasis dermatitis

inflammation and red-brown pigmentation of the skin caused by chronic venous insufficiency

Impetigo

bacterial skin infection characterized by isolated pustules that become crusted and rupture

Cellulitis

this is a deeper bacterial skin infection. Patients with cellulitis have tender red plaques with sharply defined borders often seen on lower leg. typically responds to oral medication but may need IV therapy

Prescriptions include the following information: (10)

patient name

date prescription is written

medication name

dose

form

route of administration

frequency of use

when it is to be used/taken

number of pills/quantity

number of refills

QD

once a day

BID

twice daily

TID

three times daily

QID

four times a day

QAM

every morning

QD

every day

QPM

every evening

QHS

every night at bedtime

Hemostasis

stoppage of bleeding

when is iron solution used

when pt is more prone to bleeding