Skin Lesions Flashcards
skin function
. homeostasis
. Provides locations for sensory reception of touch, pressure, temp. & pain
. Protects underlying tissues from microorganisms, substances, & radiation
. Modulates body temp
. Minor excretory role .Synthesizes vitamin D
percent body weight skin makes up
16%, heaviest organ
important characteristics in describing skin lesion
size, shape, symmetry, distribution, color, elevation, consistency, borders
macule
Flat non palpable lesion less than 1.0 cm
patch
Flat non palpable lesion 1.0 cm or greater
papule
Palpable elevation less than 1.0 cm
plaque
Palpable elevation 1.0 cm or greater
Often formed by coalescence of papules
coalescence of papules
papules come together as the get larger
how are tinea infections classified?
involved site
tinea barbae location
beard
tinea capitis location
scalp
tinea ungium/ onychomycosis location
nails
tinea cruris location
groin
tinea manuum location
hand
tinea pedia location
feet
tinea corporis location
all other areas on skin
most common tinea infection in pre-pubertal kids
tinea corporis & tinea capitis
most common tinea infection in adolescents & adults
tinea cruris, tinea pedis, and tinea unguium
how does tinea corporis present?
. erythematous, scaly, pruritic patch w/ central clearing & raised border
. Lesions may be single or multiple
vesicle
Palpable elevation with serous fluid less than 1.0 cm
bulla
Palpable elevation with serous fluid 1.0 cm or greater
nodule
. “knot like” lesion larger than 0.5 cm
. Deeper and more firm than a papule
pustule
filled w/ pus
cyst
Nodule filled with expressible material – liquid or semi solid
wheal
Irregular, relatively transient, superficial
area of localized skin edema
primary skin lesion types
macule, patch, papule, plaque, vesicle, bulla, nodule, pustule, cyst, & wheal
common allergy triggers
Foods, medicines, insect bites and sting, pollen, and contact with foreign substance (latex)
secondary skin lesion types
scale, crusting, lichenification, erosion, ulcer, excoriation, scar, fissure
scale lesion
thin flake of dead exfoliated epidermis
crusting
dried residue of skin exudates
lichenification
Visible and palpable thickening of the epidermis & roughening of skin w/ increased visibility of normal skin furrows, occurring w/ tons of itching over time
herpes zoster is usually confined to single ___
dermatome
what is a secondary lesion in herpes zoster?
crusted over lesions at end of disease process
how long does herpes zoster usually last?
7-10 days
erosion lesion
non scarring loss of the superficial epidermis; surface is moist but does not bleed
ulcer
a deeper loss of epidermis and dermis from venous or arterial insufficiency; may bleed and scar
excoriation
linear or punctate erosions caused by scratching
scar
increased connective tissue that arises from injury or disease
keloids
hypertrophic scarring that extends beyond the borders of the initiating injury
fissure
a linear crack in the skin, often resulting from excessive dryness
how is eczema characterized?
chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by pruritic, erythematous, and scaly skin lesions located on flexural surface of body
eczema triggers
extreme hot/cold weather, stress, dry skin, fragrances, harsh skin
products, tight/scratchy clothing
hyperpigmented lesions
benign nevus, dysplastic nevus
bengin nevus
. Round or oval shaped
. Sharply defined borders . Uniform color
. Diameter < 6 mm
. Flat or raised surface
dysplastic nevus
. Varied in color, but often dark and larger than 6 mm
. Irregular borders that fade into surrounding skin
skin malignancy
squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, & melanoma
squamous & basal cell carcinoma
. most often occurs on sun-exposed skin
. result from prolonged exposure to (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning beds
Percentage of skin malignancy that are basal cell carcinoma
80%
melanoma
. Most fatal form of skin malignancy
. aggressive and will go into lymph quickly
. Often develop in areas with sun exposure
melanoma prevalence increasing in what population
people under 40, especially women
what increases risk of melanoma
Exposure to (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning beds
what is the first sign of melanoma
change in existing mole
ABCDE acronym
. Asymmetry . Borders (irregular) . Color (variation) . Diameter (>6 mm) . Evolution
pressure ulcer
localized injury to skin and/or underlying tissue due to unrelieved pressure
common sites for pressure ulcer
sacrum, heels, ischial tuberosities, greater trochanters, and lateral malleoli
how pressure ulcers occur
. external pressure > arterial capillary pressure
. impedes blood flow depriving tissues of O2 & nutrients
. local ischemia & tissue damage
intrinsic risk factors of pressure ulcers
decreased mobility, poor nutrition, decreased
sensation, decreased blood flow, aging skin
extrinsic risk factors of pressure ulcers
pressure , friction, moisture (incontinence)
what is staging of pressure ulcers based on?
depth of destroyed tissue
stage 1 pressure ulcer
. Intact skin, erythematous area that fails to blanch w pressure . Discoloration preceded by temp, consistency, sensation, color changes or pain
stage 2 pressure ulcer
Partial-thickness skin loss involving the epidermis, dermis or both
stage 3 pressure ulcer
Full thickness skin loss • Damage of subcutaneous tissue that may extend to,
but NOT through, underlying muscle
. subcutaneous fat may be visible, but bone, tendon, & muscle aren’t
stage 4 pressure ulcer
Full thickness skin loss with exposed bone, tendon, and/or muscle
