Skin Lesions and Conditions: A Medical Overview for Students

Skin

Largest organ in our body

Temperature Regulation

Process by which the skin helps maintain body temperature

Infections

Can be bacterial, viral, or fungal

Burns/Trauma

Damage to the skin due to heat or injury

Cancers

Skin lesions that can be malignant

Standard Nomenclature

Naming and categorization of skin lesions to aid in diagnosis

Primary Lesions

Nonpalpable, palpable/solid, or palpable/fluid-filled lesions

Macule

A flat area on the skin that is usually lighter or darker than the surrounding skin

Patch

A large macule

Papule

Elevated small bump usually less than 1cm

Plaque

Larger raised lesion 1cm or greater

Wheal

Usually itches, light pink to red color

Mass

Raised lesion with a solid aspect hidden under the skin

Vesicle

A small clear fluid-filled lesion up to 1cm

Bulla

Fluid-filled lesion 1cm or larger

Pustule

Lesion filled with bacteria or white blood cells (pus)

Excoriation

Abrasion of outer layer due to scratching, rubbing, or trauma

Fissure

A cleft/split in the epidermal layer

Erosion

Loss of epidermis (not dermis)

Ulcer

Loss of skin through the dermis

Crust

Dried things on the outside of the skin

Scale

Flakes or plates of skin

Lichenification

Epidermal thickening

Scar/Keloid

Permanent fibrotic tissue that replaces epidermal and dermal tissue