Lesions of the Skin

A lesion is a structural change in the tissues caused by injury or disease. There are three types: primary secondary, and tertiary.

 

PRIMARY LESIONS

1. A macule (MAK-ul) is a small, discolored spot or patch on the surface of the skin, neither raised nor sunken, as freckles.

2. A papule (PAP-yool) is a small, elevated pimple in the skin, containing no fluid, but which may develop pus.

3. A wheal (HWEEL), is an itchy, swollen lesion that lasts only a few hours. (Example: hives or the bite of an insect, such as by a mosquito.)

4. A tubercie (TOO-ber-kel) is a solid lump larger than a papule. It projects above the surface or lies within or under the skin. It varies in size from a pea to a hickory nut.

5. A tumor (TOO-mohr) is an external swelling, varying in size, shape and color.

6. A vesicle (VES-i-kel) is a blister with clear fluid in it. Vesicles lie within or just beneath the epidermis. (example: poison ivy produces small vesicles.)

7. A bulla (BYOO-lah) is a blister containing a watery fluid, similar to a vesicle, but larger.

8. A pustule (PUS-chool) is an elevation of the skin having an inflamed base, containing pus.

SECONDARY LESIONS

The secondary lesions are those in the skin which develop in the later stages of disease. These are:

1. A scale is an accumulation of epidermal flakes, dry or greasy. (Example:

abnormal or excessive dandruff.)

2. A crust (scab) is an accumulation of serum and pus, mixed perhaps with epidermal material. (Example: the scab on a sore.)

3. An excoriation (ek-skohr-i-AY-shun) is a skin sore or abrasion produced by scratching or scraping. (Example: a raw surface due to the loss of the superficial skin after an injury.)

4. A fissure (FISH-ur) is a crack in the skin penetrating into the derma, as in the case of chapped hands or lips.

5. An ulcer (UL-ser) is an open lesion on the skin or mucous membrane of the body, accompanied by pus and loss of skin depth.

6. A scar (cicatrix) (SIK-a-triks) is likely to form after the healing of an injury or skin condition that has penetrated the dermal layer.

7. A stain is abnormal discoloration remaining after the disappearance of moles, freckles, or liver spots, sometimes apparent after certain diseases.