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1ry & 2ry Lesions Dermatology
1ry & 2ry Lesions Dermatology
Primary lesions are physical changes in the skin considered to be caused directly
by the disease process. Types of primary lesions are rarely specific to a single
disease entity.
1. MACULE
A macule is a change in the color of the skin (hypo or hyper). It is flat, if you were
to close your eyes and run your fingers over the surface of a purely macular
lesion, you could not detect it. A macule greater than 0.5 cm. may be referred to
as a patch.
2. PAPULE
A papule is a solid raised lesion that has distinct borders and is less than 1 cm in
diameter. Papules may have a variety of shapes in profile (domed, flat-topped,
umbilicated) and may be associated with secondary features such as crusts or
scales.
3. NODULE
A nodule is a raised solid lesion more than 1 cm. Deeply seeded may be in the
epidermis, dermis, or subcutaneous tissue.
4. PLAQUE
A plaque is a solid, raised, flat or rough lesion greater than 1 cm. in diameter with
defined edges.
5. VESICLE
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Vesicles are small raised lesions (blisters) less than 0.5 cm. in diameter that are
filled with clear fluid.
6. BULLAE
Bullae are large circumscribed fluid-filled lesions (blisters) that are greater than 1
cm. in diameter.
7. PUSTULE
Pustules are small circumscribed elevated lesions that contain pus. They are
most commonly infected (as in folliculitis) but may be sterile (as in pustular
psoriasis). They may develop spontaneously or from a papule.
8. WHEAL
e.g urticaria
9. ERYTHEMA
10. TUMOR
11. BURROW
Burrows are linear lesions produced by infestation of the skin and formation of
tunnels (e.g., with infestation by the scabitic mite or by cutaneous larva migrans).
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12. TELANGIECTASIA
1.EXUDATE
2. SCAB
3. CRUST:
Friable mass of a completely dried exudate. If we remove the crust we will find
the erosion underneath
Crusting is the result of the drying of plasma or exudate on the skin. Please
remember that crusting is different from scaling. The two terms refer to different
phenomena and are not interchangeable. One can usually be distinguished from
the other by appearance alone.
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4. ULCER
Deeper loss of skin and mucosa, extending below the dermo-epidermal junction.
(necrosis of the epidermis and dermis and sometimes of the underlying
subcutaneous tissue)
e.g ecthyma
5. SCALE
e.g scabies
6. SCAR
The permanent fibrotic changes that occur on the skin following damage to the
dermis.
7. KELOIDS
8. CYST:
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9. EXCORIATION (Scratch)
Irregular mark on the skin resulting from epidermal loss caused by scratching
11. ATROPHY
12. HYPOPIGMENTATION
13. HYPERPIGMENTATION
15. LICHENIFICATION
16. EROSION
Erosions are slightly depressed areas of skin in which part or all of the epidermis
has been lost.
21. ESCHAR
Three terms that refer to bleeding that occurs in the skin are petechiae, purpura,
and ecchymoses. Generally, the term "petechiae" refers to smaller lesions.
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"Purpura" and "ecchymoses" are terms that refer to larger lesions. In certain
situations purpura may be palpable. In all situations, petechiae, ecchymoses, and
purpura do not blanch when pressed. If there is any question, press on the
lesions carefully with a glass slide. Don't break the slide or cut the patient.
Not only is the appearance of lesions important, but the pattern and distribution
on the skin is as well.
24. ANNULAR
Annular lesions are seen in a ring shape. Tinea corporis, erythema migrans (the
lesion associated with lyme disease), and granuloma annulare are three common
examples.
25. DISCRETE
Discrete lesions tend to remain separate. This is a helpful descriptive term but
has little specific diagnostic significance.
26. CLUSTERED
Clustered lesions are those that are grouped together. They are commonly seen
in herpes simplex or with insect bites, for example.
27. CONFLUENT
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29. ECZEMATOID
30. FOLLICULAR
31. GUTTATE
Guttate lesions look as though someone took a dropper and dropped this lesion
on the skin. Guttate lesions are characteristic of one form of psoriasis, though
that is not the only example.
Iris lesions are also known as target lesions and are a series of concentric rings.
These have a dark or blistered center. These lesions are frequently seen with
erythema multiforme but not exclusively so.
The Koebner phenomenon, also called the isomorphic response, refers to the
appearance of lesions along a site of injury. This phenomenon is seen in a variety
of conditions; for example, lichen planus, warts, molluscum contagiosum,
psoriasis, lichen nitidus, and the systemic form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
35. MULTIFORM
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Patients with multiform lesions have lesions of a variety of shapes.
36. RETICULAR
37. SERPIGINOUS
38. UNIVERSALIS
39. SCARLATINIFORM
Scarlatiniform rashes have the pattern of scarlet fever. The patient with a
scarlatiniform rash has innumerable small red papules that are widely and
diffusely distributed. Note that the term scarlatiniform does not mean that the
patient has scarlet fever, although by definition all patients with scarlet fever have
a scarlatiniform rash. Patients with a variety of other conditions such as
Kawasaki disease, viral infections, or drug reactions may have rashes with the
same pattern.
Patients with scarlet fever, Kawasaki disease or other conditions may develop a
distinctive appearance of their tongues. Because of its resemblance to the well-
known berry, the appearance is called "strawberry tongue."
41. MORBILLIFORM
The term "morbilliform" means that the patient has a rash that looks like measles.
Patients with measles will have the rash but patients with Kawasaki disease,
drug reactions, or other conditions may also have a morbilliform rash. The rash
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consists of macular lesions that are red and are usually 2-10 mm in diameter but
may be confluent in places.
One important category of skin lesions involve the form that skin lesions may
take in cases of child abuse or other intentional injury (bite marks, slap marks,
strap marks, burns, etc.) or in cases of unintentional injury. Abrasions are
traumatically caused erosions.