Describing a Skin Condition
Describing a Skin Condition
How to describe a skin condition
A healthcare provider may ask you to describe your skin condition and its location. Here are some of the more common terms that may help you give a more accurate description:
Atrophic |
Thin, dry, wrinkled skin |
|---|---|
Blister or vesicle |
Fluid-filled bump under or in the epidermis that is less than 1 cm in size |
Crust or scab |
Formation of dried blood, plasma, or pus over a break in the skin |
Cyst |
Enclosed sac in skin containing fluid or solid material |
Excoriation |
An erosion with loss of the epidermis, caused by scratching |
Hives or wheals |
Pink or white localized swelling of the skin that is usually itchy |
Lichenification |
Skin that has become thickened, hardened, or leathery with skin markings from chronic scratching |
Macule |
Flat, discolored spot |
Nodule or papule |
Solid, raised bumps. A nodule is greater than 1 cm and a papule is less than or equal to 1 cm. |
Raised bumps |
Bumps that stick out above the skin surface |
Patch |
Flat, large discolored spot with smooth surface |
Pustule (pimple) |
Inflamed, raised lesions that seem to contain pus |
Scales |
A buildup of dead skin cells that form flakes |
Scar |
Fibrous tissue that forms after a skin injury |
Updated:
March 21, 2017
Reviewed By:
Berman, Kevin, MD, PhD,Sather, Rita, RN