Skin Dysfunction Terminology Flashcards
Macule
flat, circumscribed area that is a change in the color of skin
Less than 1 cm in diameter
Ex: freckles, mole/moles (nevus/nevi), measles
Patch
a flat, non-palpable, irregular-shaped macule
More than 1 cm in diameter
Ex: port-wine stains, cafe au lait spots
Papule
elevated, firm, circumscribed area
Less than 1 cm in diameter
Ex: wart, elevated moles
Plaque
elevated, firm, rough lesion with a flat top surface greater than 1 cm in diameter
Wheal
elevated, irregular-shaped area of edema; solid, transient, variable in diameter
(insect bites, allergic reaction)
Nodule
elevated, firm, circular lesion deeper in dermis than a papule (1-2 cm)
Example: lipoma
Vesicle
elevated, circular, superficial, not into dermis
Filled with serous fluid, less than 1 cm in diameter
Example: chicken pox
Bulla
vesicle greater than 1 cm in diameter
Example: blister
Erosion
Loss of part of the epidermis.
Depressed, moist, glistening.
Can follow rupture of a vesicle or bulla
Pustule
elevated, superficial lesion filled with purulent fluid
Example: acne
Cyst
elevated, circular, encapsulated lesion.
In dermis or subcutaneous layer; filled with liquid or semisolid material
Ex: sebaceous cyst
Scale
Headed up, keratinized cells, flaky skin;
Irregular, thick or thin, dry or oily
Variation in size
Lichenification
Rough, thickened epidermis secondary to persistent rubbing, itching, or irritation
Often involves flexor surface of the extremity
Ex: chronic dermatitis
Plaque
patch of raised cells thicker than lichenification, usually silver in appearance
Extremely dry tone
Ex: psoriasis
Telangiectasia
fine, irregular red lines produced by capillary dilation
Ex: rosacea, “spider veins”
Excoriation
loss of epidermis, linear, hollowed-out, crusted area
Fissure
linear crack or break from the epidermis to the dermis, may be moist or dry
Ex: athlete’s foot
Scar
Thin to thick fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin following injury or laceration
Keloid
irregular-shaped, elevated, progressively enlarging scar
Grows beyond the boundaries of the wound caused by excessive collagen formation.
Tumor
elevated, solid lesion deeper in dermis, greater than 2 cm in diameter
Ex: neoplasms, hemangioma
What type of skin cancer is most common?
Basal cell carcinoma, 80%
Basal cell carcinoma
Outside edges are raised with a depressed center
Seen more around sun exposed areas (face, neck, hands)
Squamous cell carcinoma
hyper-keratotic, crusty nodule or lesion on skin
Malignant melanoma
darkly pigmented
What may increase your risk for basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma?
Weaker immune system
Karposi Sarcoma
associated with AIDS
How to distinguish malignant skin lesions
> 6 mm Multiple shades Irregular, blurred borders Asymmetric Often bleed or ulcerate Firm/hard consistency Slow or rapid rate of growth or change
How to distinguish benign lesions
Less than 6 mm Uniform color Distinct borders Symmetric Seldom bleed or ulcerate Soft to firm consistency Slow rate of change
Pruritus
itching; can be general or local
Primary skin condition or systemic condition
Treating pruritus
antihistamines, tranquilizers, skin emollients, increasing humidity, topical steroids
Eczema/dermatitis
inflammatory skin disorder caused by endogenous and/or exogenous agents
Endogenous eczema
atopic dermatitis,
seborrheic dermatitis
Exogenous eczema
Allergic contact, irritant contact
Presents with erythema, vesicles, scales, and pruritus
Atopic dermatitis
most common type categorized by scaly and itching rashes
Common around inner elbow and behind the knee
Acute stage dermatitis
Red, oozing, crusting rash; extensive erosions, exudate, itchy vesicles
Subacute stage dermatitis
red skin/rash, scaling, scattered plaques
Chronic stage dermatitis
thickened skin, increased skin marking, fibrotic papules, post inflammatory color changes
Psoriasis
a chronic, relapsing, proliferative skin disorder with unknown cause (t-cells vs genetic)
Flare ups with winter and lack of sunlight
Psoriatic arthritis
Asymmetrical joint pain with skin lesions over the painful joint; affects DIP of fingers, toes, SI joints
Stiffness takes hours to subside after waking up
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
chronic systemic inflammatory disorder affecting multiple organ systems
Systemic Sclerosis
AKA Scleroderma
Chronic disease that results in differing degrees of skin thickening/tightening
Polymyositis
inflammatory myopathy from an autoimmune reaction causing muscle breakdown
Manifests as a proximal symmetrical muscle weakness (mm fibers infiltrated with fatty tissue)
Heliotrope rash
the red-mauve discoloration of the eyelids in dermatomyositis
associated with periorbital edema
Gottron’s sign
pink patches or papules over the knuckles
Cellulitis
infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue
Diffuse inflammation of connective tissue underlying basement membrane
Impetigo
superficial lesion caused by staphylococcus or streptococcus
vesicles/pustules rupture easily that dry to a honey-colored crust (face, neck, extremities)
Most common bacterial skin infection in infants and young children
impetigo
Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
Varicella-zoster virus
Pain and tingling affecting spinal or cranial nerve dermatome
Wart
benign skin growth caused by a virus
Types of fungal infections
Tinea pedis (athletes foot) Tinea cruris (jock itch) Tinea corporis (ringworm) Tinea barbae (beard)
Candidiasis: yeast-like infection
