Term | Definition |
macule | flat, circumscribed area that is changed in color and <1cm. i.e. freckles, flat moles, measles, scarlet fever, petechiae |
papule | elevated, firm circumscribed area <1cm i.e. warts, elevated moles, lichens planus |
patch | flat, nonpalpable, irregularly shaped macule >1cm i.e. port wine stains, vitiligo, Mongolian spots, café-au-lait spots |
plaque | elevated, firm, rough lesion with flat topped surface >1cm i.e. psoriasis, sebhorreic keratosis, actinic keratosis |
wheal | elevated, irregularly shaped area of cutaneous edema; solid, transient, variable diameter i.e. insect bites, urticarial, allergic reactions |
nodule | Elevated, firm, circumscribed lesion; deeper in dermis than a papule; 1-2 cm i.e. Erythema nodosum, lipomas |
tumor | Elevated and solid lesion; may or may not be clearly demarcated; deeper in dermis; >2 cm in diameter Neoplasms, benign tumor, lipoma, hemangioma |
vesicle | Elevated, circumscribed, superficial, not into dermis; filled with serous fluid; <1 cm in diameter Varicella (chickenpox), herpes zoster (shingles) |
bulla | Vesicle >1 cm in diameter Blister, pemphigus vulgaris |
pustule | superficial lesion; similar to a vesicle but filled with purulent fluid Impetigo, acne |
Cyst | Elevated, circumscribed, encapsulated lesion; in dermis or subcutaneous layer; filled with liquid or semisolid material Sebaceous cyst, cystic acne |
lichenification | rough, thickened epidermis secondary to persistent rubbing, itching, skin irritation; often involves flexor surface of extremity i.e. chronic dermatitis |
scale | Heaped-up keratinized cells; flaky skin; irregular; thick or thin; dry or oily; variation in size Flaking of skin with seborrheic dermatitis after scarlet fever, or flaking of skin following a drug reaction; dry skin |
keloid | Irregularly shaped, elevated, progressively enlarging scar; grows beyond the boundaries of the wound; caused by excessive collagen formation during healing |
scar | Thin to thick fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin after injury or laceration to the dermis i.e. healed wound or surgical incision |
excoriation | Loss of the epidermis; linear hollowed-out crusted area Abrasion or scratch, scabies |
fissure | Linear crack or break from the epidermis to the dermis; may be moist or dry Athlete’s foot, cracks at the corner of the mouth |
erosion | Loss of part of the epidermis; depressed, moist, glistening; follows rupture of a vesicle or bulla Varicella, variola after rupture |
ulcer | Loss of epidermis and dermis; concave; varies in size Pressure sores, stasis ulcers |
crust | Dried serum, blood, or purulent exudate; slightly elevated; size varies: brown, red, black, or tan Scab on abrasion, eczema |
atrophy | Thinning of skin surface and loss of skin markings; skin translucent and paper-like Striae; aged skin |
functions of the skin | protection, temperature regulation, fluid retention, vitamin D synthesis |
skin assessment | P-provocative and palliative factors (what caused it?)
Q-quality and quantity of the problem (size & characteristics)
R-region of the body
S-severity of s/s
T- time (the patient has had disorder) |
mole assessment | A-assymetrical?
B-borders irregular?
C- color uneven or irregular?
D-diameter of growth changed recently?
E-has surface become elevated? |