Terminology

Macule Patch

Macule A circumscribed flat lesion <10mm in diameter with a change in the colour or textural change of the skin.

Patch – flat >10mm in diameter

Papule Nodule

Papule -A raised solid lesion <10mm in diameter felt on palpation Papule -A raised solid lesion <10mm in diameter felt on palpation. They can be flat topped or dome shaped and can be of various colours.

Nodule A raised solid lesion >10mm in diameter Nodule A raised solid lesion >10mm in diameter. It can involve any layer of the skin.

Plaque

Plaque – flat topped palpable lesion Diameter >> thickness

Vesicle Bulla Pustule Abscess

Vesicle - A small blister <10mm in diameter Vesicle - A small blister <10mm in diameter. This is filled with clear fluid and lies in the epidermis or the dermo-epidermal junction. Bulla - A blister >10mm in diameter. Pustule - A blister filled with a visible collection of pus. Not all pustules are signs of infection. Abscess -A localized collection of pus >1cm in diameter.

Lesion due to a broken surface Erosion - A superficial break in the skin, involving the epidermis but not the dermis therefore heals without scarring. Ulcer - A circumscribed area of skin loss down to and involving the dermis. It will therefore heal with scarring. Fissure - A linear split in the skin which can extend down into the dermis. Excoriation – Localised damage due to scratching with linear erosions and crusts

Weal - A transient elevated lesion i. e Weal - A transient elevated lesion i.e. papule or plaque which is compressible due to dermal oedema. It is usually red or white in colour. Cyst – A papule or nodule lined with an epithelial wall and filled with fluid, pus or keratin. Crust – dried exudate Scale - visible and palpable flakes of grouped epidermal cells

Lichenification – Thickening of epidermis with increased skin markings due to persistent rubbing Pedunculated – stalk–like lesion Papillomatous – surface has minute round or finger –like projections Filiform – rough finger–like projections

Summary History – similar to most medical conditions Examination – Look and feel Describe, describe, describe!

ACKNOWLEGEMENTS PCDS Prof Raimo Suhonen Dermnetnz Graham Chadwick D@nderm