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Refer to the Legal Notice for express terms of use. Skip to main content. Home Patient Conditions Dermal Lesions. Section editor:. Ferne Elsass. Primary Lesions Vesicle: fluid-filled blister less than 5mm in diameter; elevated above the level of the skin with well demarcated borders.
Bulla: a large vesicle greater than 5mm in diameter. Pustule: similar in appearance to a vesicle or bulla, but contains purulent material.
Macule: red, brown, tan or white in color; defined borders; flat. Nodule: firm to touch; elevated above the level of the skin; easily palpable. Nodules may involve all layers of the skin. Wheal: irregularly shaped area of edematous skin; may come and go; may appear white, pink or red in color; often elevated above the level of the skin; often irregular in size or shape.
Oral mucosa may be involved. Lesions spontaneously resolve but frequently Target lesions sometimes called iris lesions manifest as annular lesions with a violaceous center and pink halo separated by a pale ring. Such lesions, which are typical of erythema multiforme, are distributed symmetrically. Serpiginous lesions have linear, branched, and curving elements. Examples include some fungal and parasitic infections eg, cutaneous larva migrans Cutaneous Larva Migrans Cutaneous larva migrans is the skin manifestation of hookworm infestation.
Cutaneous larva migrans is caused by Ancylostoma species, most commonly dog or cat hookworm Ancylostoma braziliense Reticulated lesions have a lacy or networked pattern. Examples include cutis marmorata and livedo reticularis. Herpetiform describes grouped papules or vesicles arranged like those of a herpes simplex infection Herpes Simplex Virus HSV Infections Herpes simplex viruses human herpesviruses types 1 and 2 commonly cause recurrent infection affecting the skin, mouth, lips, eyes, and genitals.
Common severe infections include encephalitis Herpetiform lesions manifest as grouped papules or vesicles in a formation resembling those of a herpes simplex infection. This image shows clusters of vesicles on erythematous bases that are highly characteristic. Zosteriform describes lesions clustered in a dermatomal distribution similar to those of herpes zoster Herpes Zoster Herpes zoster is infection that results when varicella-zoster virus reactivates from its latent state in a posterior dorsal root ganglion.
Symptoms usually begin with pain along the affected Verrucous lesions have an irregular, pebbly, or rough surface. Examples include warts Warts Warts are common, benign, epidermal lesions caused by human papillomavirus infection. They can appear anywhere on the body in a variety of morphologies. Diagnosis is by examination. Warts are Lichenification is thickening of the skin with accentuation of normal skin markings; it results from repeated scratching or rubbing.
Lichenification is thickening of the skin with accentuation of normal skin markings; it is a result of chronic scratching or rubbing, which in this patient occurred during the chronic phase of atopic dermatitis. Induration, or deep thickening of the skin, can result from edema, inflammation, or infiltration, including by cancer. Indurated skin has a hard, resistant feeling. Induration is characteristic of panniculitis Panniculitis Panniculitis describes inflammation of the subcutaneous fat that can result from multiple causes.
Diagnosis is by clinical evaluation and biopsy. Treatment depends on the cause. See also Erythema Umbilicated lesions have a central indentation and are usually viral. Examples include molluscum contagiosum Molluscum Contagiosum Molluscum contagiosum is characterized by clusters of pink, dome-shaped, smooth, waxy, or pearly and umbilicated papules 2 to 5 mm in diameter caused by molluscum contagiosum virus, a poxvirus Xanthomas, which are yellowish, waxy lesions, may be idiopathic or may occur in patients who have lipid disorders.
This photo shows yellow-white plaques on the upper medial eyelids in a patient with hypercholesterolemia. Xanthelasma are not specific for familial hypercholesterolemia. Psoriasis Psoriasis Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease that manifests most commonly as well-circumscribed, erythematous papules and plaques covered with silvery scales.
Lichen planus Lichen Planus Lichen planus is a recurrent, pruritic, inflammatory eruption characterized by small, discrete, polygonal, flat-topped, violaceous papules that may coalesce into rough scaly plaques, often accompanied Vitiligo Vitiligo Vitiligo is a loss of skin melanocytes that causes areas of skin depigmentation of varying sizes.
Cause is unknown, but genetic and autoimmune factors are likely. Diagnosis is usually clear Discoid lupus erythematosus Variant Forms of Lupus Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic, multisystem, inflammatory disorder of autoimmune etiology, occurring predominantly in young women. Hidradenitis suppurativa Hidradenitis Suppurativa Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, scarring, acnelike inflammatory process that occurs in the axillae, groin, and around the nipples and anus.
Treatment depends Red skin erythema can result from many different inflammatory or infectious diseases. Cutaneous tumors are often pink or red. Superficial vascular lesions such as port-wine stains may appear red. Orange skin is most often seen in hypercarotenemia, a usually benign condition of carotene deposition after excess dietary ingestion of beta-carotene.
Yellow skin is typical of jaundice Jaundice Jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by hyperbilirubinemia.
A xanthelasma is a slightly raised, yellow-white, well-circumscribed plaque that typically appears along the nasal There is no specific Green fingernails Discoloration Deformities are often considered together with dystrophies, but the two are slightly different; deformities are generally considered to be gross changes in nail shape, whereas dystrophies are Violet skin may result from cutaneous hemorrhage or vasculitis Overview of Vasculitis Vasculitis is inflammation of blood vessels, often with ischemia, necrosis, and organ inflammation.
Vascular lesions or tumors, such as Kaposi sarcoma Kaposi Sarcoma Kaposi sarcoma is a multicentric vascular tumor caused by herpesvirus type 8. It can occur in classic, AIDS-associated, endemic in Africa , and iatrogenic eg, after organ transplantation A lilac color of the eyelids or heliotrope eruption is characteristic of dermatomyositis Autoimmune Myositis Autoimmune myositis is characterized by inflammatory and degenerative changes in the muscles polymyositis or in the skin and muscles dermatomyositis.
Manifestations include symmetric weakness Shades of blue, silver, and gray can result from deposition of drugs or metals in the skin, including minocycline , amiodarone , and silver argyria.
Ischemic skin appears purple to gray in color. Deep dermal nevi appear blue. Black skin lesions may be melanocytic, including nevi and melanoma Melanoma Malignant melanoma arises from melanocytes in a pigmented area eg, skin, mucous membranes, eyes, or central nervous system. Metastasis is correlated with depth of dermal invasion. With spread Black eschars are collections of dead skin that can arise from infarction, which may be caused by infection eg, anthrax Anthrax Anthrax is caused by the gram-positive Bacillus anthracis, which are toxin-producing, encapsulated, facultative anaerobic organisms.
Anthrax, an often fatal disease of animals, is transmitted Symptoms, usually severe, include headache, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, lethargy, These disorders require appropriate attention and adjunctive treatment Dermatographism is the appearance of an urticarial wheal after focal pressure eg, stroking or scratching the skin in the distribution of the pressure.
Darier sign refers to rapid swelling of a lesion when stroked. It occurs in patients with urticaria pigmentosa or mastocytosis Mastocytosis Mastocytosis is mast cell infiltration of skin or other tissues and organs. Symptoms result mainly from mediator release and include pruritus, flushing, and dyspepsia due to gastric hypersecretion Nikolsky sign is epidermal shearing that occurs with gentle lateral pressure on seemingly uninvolved skin in patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis Stevens-Johnson Syndrome SJS and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis TEN Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are severe cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions.
Drugs, especially sulfa drugs, antiseizure drugs, and antibiotics, are the most common The autoimmune bullous diseases include Bullous pemphigoid Dermatitis herpetiformis Epidermolysis bullosa read more. Auspitz sign is the appearance of pinpoint bleeding after scale is removed from plaques in psoriasis Psoriasis Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease that manifests most commonly as well-circumscribed, erythematous papules and plaques covered with silvery scales.
Koebner phenomenon describes the development of lesions within areas of trauma eg, caused by scratching, rubbing, or injury. Psoriasis frequently exhibits this phenomenon, as may lichen planus Lichen Planus Lichen planus is a recurrent, pruritic, inflammatory eruption characterized by small, discrete, polygonal, flat-topped, violaceous papules that may coalesce into rough scaly plaques, often accompanied Skin becomes red, swollen, painful, and can leak fluid.
It is hot to the touch and can cause a fever and feeling unwell. Most cases can be treated on an outpatient basis with a course of antibiotics if identified early. However, if left untreated, severe and serious complications can occur, and hospitalization may be needed. If you have signs of cellulitis, it is vital to seek medical attention.
If you notice areas of swelling, redness, pain, or heat in your skin especially at a site where you've had a cut, bite, or burn , seek medical care immediately. Chickenpox , also known as varicella, is a viral skin infection. It causes red, fluid-filled blisters all over the body that are known for being hot and itchy. These blisters can ooze pus and caused secondary crusting.
Chickenpox is contagious from two days before the rash appears until all the blisters have crusted over. It is possible to recognize chickenpox at home. However, you may want to seek medical advice to confirm the diagnosis. There is a range of topical treatments that can help soothe chickenpox until the itching and pain subside.
Different types of comedones can develop due to acne:. Comedones can be treated with an appropriate skin treatment or can be extracted if necessary. Cold sores are sores that present on the mouth, lip area. They can be red, painful, and cause fluid-filled blisters. There is often a tingling feeling before the sore arrives. Due to cold sores being caused by the herpes simplex virus HSV , people with cold sores may also feel flu-like symptoms simultaneously. Cold sores usually go away on their own without any treatment.
However, there are over-the-counter topical treatments that can help speed up the process. If a cold sore is very severe or not healing, then a healthcare provider can prescribe antiviral medication. However, oral or genital outbreaks may be caused by either virus. Contact dermatitis is caused by an allergen or substance that irritates the skin. Symptoms are usually present just in the area of contact with the irritant.
It can present as redness, itching, macules, papules, fissures, blisters, swelling, or tenderness to touch. Chronic contact dermatitis can often form plaques. Keeping the skin clean and well moisturized can help treat contact dermatitis. Avoiding the allergen or irritant is key. If contact dermatitis persists and cannot be managed at home, seek advice from a healthcare provider who may prescribe an antihistamine or corticosteroid cream. If infection has developed, an antibiotic may be prescribed.
Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis. It presents as an itchy, red rash. Other symptoms include red, grey, brown, or yellow patches of skin, itching, dryness, blisters, fissures, plaques, sensitive and painful patches.
Certain conditions like hot or cold weather can cause symptoms to flare up, and some skin products can irritate. The most common treatment types include keeping skin hydrated with emollient, topical soaps and creams, corticosteroid cream, and avoiding triggers and irritants. Mild eczema can be managed at home with over-the-counter remedies, however, your healthcare provider or dermatologist can help you with a treatment plan for more severe eczema.
Freckles are small, flat light-brown macules on the skin caused by sun exposure. Most common freckles are harmless and rarely turn into skin cancer. They are more common in people with light, fair skin, or red hair. Freckles do not any treatment unless they change and skin cancer is suspected. Hives are also known as urticaria. They present as red, swollen, raised wheals on the skin. They are usually caused by an allergic reaction to something specific but can happen for unknown reasons.
Hives can sometimes itch or sting. Typically, the individual wheals caused by hives last less than 24 hours, although more can continue to appear. Most cases of hives can be treated with an antihistamine and managed at home. Urticaria and angioedema are very similar, but urticaria only affects the skin, and each wheal lasts less than 24 hours, while angioedema may last for days.
Urticaria occurs on the outer layer of the skin, whereas angioedema occurs under the skin in the subcutaneous tissue. Angioedema can also affect the mucosa, such as the eyelids and lips, and can be painful. It often presents as deep swelling around the mouth and eye areas and sometimes affects the genitals, hands, or feet. Severe angioedema can cause the throat or tongue to swell, creating breathing difficulties.
It can also cause swelling intestinal tract lining, which can lead to gastrointestinal cramping. It is possible to get both urticaria and angioedema at the same time. Treatment for both urticaria and angioedema is similar. However, if breathing is affected, it is essential to seek emergency medical attention immediately to keep the airway open. Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection caused by bacteria entering the skin through a hair follicle or a small cut.
It is very contagious, causing sores, crusts, and blister-like bumps. It most commonly affects young children and is treated with topical antibiotics or oral antibiotics prescribed by your healthcare provider. Keloids range in color from flesh-colored to red. They are raised scars that form after an injury or trauma and are caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue. They are often itchy and uncomfortable. Some people are more prone to developing keloids, and preventative measures are advised to these people to help stop formation.
Keloids are harmless and do not require medical attention, but treatment options are available if they are causing cosmetic distress. A mole is also known as a melanocytic nevus or simply a nevus.
They can be found anywhere on the body and appear at any stage of life. Moles are usually harmless. When checking your moles, these changes may be suggestive of melanoma and you should see a healthcare provider:. Psoriasis presents as red, flaky skin, crusty patches of skin, and silvery skin scales. It can also itch and burn.
With psoriasis, the body produces skin cells too quickly over days rather than weeks. The excess growth of skin cells causes thick, raised, scaly patches. The most common areas for psoriasis to occur are the knees, elbows, scalp, and lower back. Still, it can occur anywhere on the body. Psoriasis is managed with a combination of self-care, topical medications, oral or injectable immune suppressants, and ultraviolet UV light therapy.
There is no cure. It can be challenging to tell the difference between eczema and psoriasis. However, there are a few things to look out for:. If you are unsure if you have eczema or psoriasis, consult a healthcare provider or dermatologist to ensure you get the correct diagnosis and treatment. Scabies is caused by a mite and begins with intense itching.
A rash can also develop, presenting as small red papules, welts, or scaly lesions. Repeated scratching can cause excoriation. Symptoms can worsen if an allergy to the mite is present. You can use oral and topical medications prescribed by your healthcare provider to treat scabies, which kills the mites. Sebaceous cysts are round and filled with keratin.
The nodules are firm and usually skin-colored. They can range in size, appearing mostly on the upper body or face, and occasionally rupture.
They do not usually require treatment unless the cyst ruptures, as this can lead to an infection. They tend to grow slowly and are benign. Shingles are caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox.
It is a very painful red rash comprised of macules, papules, and blisters that can break and weep fluid. This can lead to secondary crusting. The rash is accompanied by itching, burning, and painful sensations. Symptoms such as a fever, chills, headache, and lethargy can also occur. You might often hear the pattern of shingles referred to as a belt or band, as it commonly appears in a belt-like formation around the rib cage or waist.
You can treat symptoms of shingles with home remedies such as a cool compress.
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