Primary Skin Lesions Primary Skin lesions appear initially Type Description Size Examples Type Description Size

Examples

Macule flat, unelevated change in color

1mm to freckles, measles, petechiae, 1cm flat moles

Tumors

elevated, solid, hard mass, extends deeper into the dermis larger than than a papule, circumscribed 2cm border, may have irregular border

malignant melanoma, hemangioma

Patch

flat, unelevated change in larger color, may have irregular shape than lcm

port wine birthmark, rubella, vitiligo (white patches)

Pustule

vesicle or bulla filled with pus

acne vulgaris, impetigo

Papule

circumscribed, solid elevation of skin

less than 1cm

warts, acne, pimples, some elevated moles

Vesicle

circumscribed, round/ oval, thin translucent mass filled with serous fluid or blood

herpes simplex, early less than 0.5 chicken pox, small burn cm blister

Plaque

larger than lcm

psoriasis, rubeola

Bulla

circumscribed, round/ oval, thin translucent mass filled with serous fluid or blood

larger than 0.5 cm

large blister, second degree burn, herpes simplex

elevated, solid, hard mass, extends deeper into the dermis 0.5 to Nodule than a papule, circumscribed 2cm border

squamous cell carcinoma, fibroma

Wheal

reddened, localized collecion of edema fluid, irregular shape

varies

hives, mosquito bites

Cyst

elevated, solid, hard mass, extends deeper into the dermis than a papule, circumscribed border, may have irregular border

1cm or larger

sebaceous and epidermoid cysts, chalazion of the eyelid