Dermatology - key terms Flashcards
What is the difference between pruritus and pruritis?
Pruritus - medical term for itchy skin
Pruritis - itching
What is alopecia?
Hair loss
What is a bulla?
A blister - localised collection of fluid more than 0.5cm in diameter
Larger than a vesicle
What is erythema?
A diffuse or localised redness of the skin that can disappear when pressed
How can you test for erythema?
Diascopy - use pressure to blanche the skin, it will go white rather than red
What is a macule?
A flat circumscribed skin discolouration of less than 1cm in diameter - like a freckle
No surface elevation or depression
What is a nodule?
Circumscribed solid elevation greater than 1cm that usually extends into the dermis
What is a papule?
A small solid elevation less than 1cm in diameter
Feels solid with oedema and epidermal hyperplasia
What causes a papule to occur?
Infiltration of inflammatory cell, fluid or foreign material such as calcium
What is a patch?
A localised flat change in skin pigmentation larger that 1cm in diameter
(A big macule)
What is a plaque?
A flat topped elevation of the skin more than 0.5cm made up of a coalition of papules
Flatter than a nodule
What is a pustule?
A small circumscribed elevation of the epidermis filled with purulent material
What is a vesicle?
Small circumscribed elevation of the epidermis filled with clear fluid less than 0.5cm in diameter
What is a wheal?
A sharply circumscribed raised lesion consisting of oedema
Usually appears and disappears within minutes to hours
What is another word for a blister?
A bulla
What is the name for a diffuse or localised redness of the skin that can disappear when pressed?
Erythema
What is another word for a freckle?
A macule
What are the names for big and small solid elevations that extend into the dermis?
Big - nodule
Small - papule
What is a coalition of papules called?
Plaque
What is a big macule/freckle called?
A patch
What is a elevation in the epidermis filled with purulent material compared to clear fluid?
Pustule - purulent
Vesicle - clear fluid
How are secondary lesions caused?
By scratching, chewing, or other trauma to the skin
Also can be as a result of infections
May evolve from primary lesions
What is a comedone?
Dilated hair follicle filled with cornified cells and sebaceous material
(blackheads)
What is crust?
Dried exudate, cells, pus and scale adherent to the surface of the epidermis
