Skin Dysfunction Terminology

Question 1

Macule

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Patch

Answer 2

a flat, non-palpable, irregular-shaped macule
More than 1 cm in diameter

Ex: port-wine stains, cafe au lait spots

Question 3

Papule

Answer 3

elevated, firm, circumscribed area
Less than 1 cm in diameter

Ex: wart, elevated moles

Question 4

Plaque

Answer 4

elevated, firm, rough lesion with a flat top surface greater than 1 cm in diameter

Question 5

Wheal

Answer 5

elevated, irregular-shaped area of edema; solid, transient, variable in diameter
(insect bites, allergic reaction)

Question 6

Nodule

Answer 6

elevated, firm, circular lesion deeper in dermis than a papule (1-2 cm)
Example: lipoma

Question 7

Vesicle

Answer 7

elevated, circular, superficial, not into dermis
Filled with serous fluid, less than 1 cm in diameter
Example: chicken pox

Question 8

Bulla

Answer 8

vesicle greater than 1 cm in diameter

Example: blister

Question 9

Erosion

Answer 9

Loss of part of the epidermis.
Depressed, moist, glistening.
Can follow rupture of a vesicle or bulla

Question 10

Pustule

Answer 10

elevated, superficial lesion filled with purulent fluid

Example: acne

Question 11

Cyst

Answer 11

elevated, circular, encapsulated lesion.
In dermis or subcutaneous layer; filled with liquid or semisolid material
Ex: sebaceous cyst

Question 12

Scale

Answer 12

Headed up, keratinized cells, flaky skin;
Irregular, thick or thin, dry or oily
Variation in size

Question 13

Lichenification

Answer 13

Rough, thickened epidermis secondary to persistent rubbing, itching, or irritation
Often involves flexor surface of the extremity
Ex: chronic dermatitis

Question 14

Plaque

Answer 14

patch of raised cells thicker than lichenification, usually silver in appearance
Extremely dry tone
Ex: psoriasis

Question 15

Telangiectasia

Answer 15

fine, irregular red lines produced by capillary dilation

Ex: rosacea, “spider veins”

Question 16

Excoriation

Answer 16

loss of epidermis, linear, hollowed-out, crusted area

Question 17

Fissure

Answer 17

linear crack or break from the epidermis to the dermis, may be moist or dry
Ex: athlete’s foot

Question 18

Scar

Answer 18

Thin to thick fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin following injury or laceration

Question 19

Keloid

Answer 19

irregular-shaped, elevated, progressively enlarging scar

Grows beyond the boundaries of the wound caused by excessive collagen formation.

Question 20

Tumor

Answer 20

elevated, solid lesion deeper in dermis, greater than 2 cm in diameter

Ex: neoplasms, hemangioma

Question 21

What type of skin cancer is most common?

Answer 21

Basal cell carcinoma, 80%

Question 22

Basal cell carcinoma

Answer 22

Outside edges are raised with a depressed center

Seen more around sun exposed areas (face, neck, hands)

Question 23

Squamous cell carcinoma

Answer 23

hyper-keratotic, crusty nodule or lesion on skin

Question 24

Malignant melanoma

Answer 24

darkly pigmented

Question 25

What may increase your risk for basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma?

Answer 25

Weaker immune system

Question 26

Karposi Sarcoma

Answer 26

associated with AIDS

Question 27

How to distinguish malignant skin lesions

Answer 27

``` > 6 mm Multiple shades Irregular, blurred borders Asymmetric Often bleed or ulcerate Firm/hard consistency Slow or rapid rate of growth or change ```

Question 28

How to distinguish benign lesions

Answer 28

``` Less than 6 mm Uniform color Distinct borders Symmetric Seldom bleed or ulcerate Soft to firm consistency Slow rate of change ```

Question 29

Pruritus

Answer 29

itching; can be general or local Primary skin condition or systemic condition

Question 30

Treating pruritus

Answer 30

antihistamines, tranquilizers, skin emollients, increasing humidity, topical steroids

Question 31

Eczema/dermatitis

Answer 31

inflammatory skin disorder caused by endogenous and/or exogenous agents

Question 32

Endogenous eczema

Answer 32

atopic dermatitis, | seborrheic dermatitis

Question 33

Exogenous eczema

Answer 33

Allergic contact, irritant contact | Presents with erythema, vesicles, scales, and pruritus

Question 34

Atopic dermatitis

Answer 34

most common type categorized by scaly and itching rashes Common around inner elbow and behind the knee

Question 35

Acute stage dermatitis

Answer 35

Red, oozing, crusting rash; extensive erosions, exudate, itchy vesicles

Question 36

Subacute stage dermatitis

Answer 36

red skin/rash, scaling, scattered plaques

Question 37

Chronic stage dermatitis

Answer 37

thickened skin, increased skin marking, fibrotic papules, post inflammatory color changes

Question 38

Psoriasis

Answer 38

a chronic, relapsing, proliferative skin disorder with unknown cause (t-cells vs genetic) Flare ups with winter and lack of sunlight

Question 39

Psoriatic arthritis

Answer 39

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

Question 40

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Answer 40

chronic systemic inflammatory disorder affecting multiple organ systems

Question 41

Systemic Sclerosis

Answer 41

AKA Scleroderma Chronic disease that results in differing degrees of skin thickening/tightening

Question 42

Polymyositis

Answer 42

inflammatory myopathy from an autoimmune reaction causing muscle breakdown Manifests as a proximal symmetrical muscle weakness (mm fibers infiltrated with fatty tissue)

Question 43

Heliotrope rash

Answer 43

the red-mauve discoloration of the eyelids in dermatomyositis associated with periorbital edema

Question 44

Gottron's sign

Answer 44

pink patches or papules over the knuckles

Question 45

Cellulitis

Answer 45

infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue Diffuse inflammation of connective tissue underlying basement membrane

Question 46

Impetigo

Answer 46

superficial lesion caused by staphylococcus or streptococcus vesicles/pustules rupture easily that dry to a honey-colored crust (face, neck, extremities)

Question 47

Most common bacterial skin infection in infants and young children

Answer 47

impetigo

Question 48

Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

Answer 48

Varicella-zoster virus | Pain and tingling affecting spinal or cranial nerve dermatome

Question 49

Wart

Answer 49

benign skin growth caused by a virus

Question 50

Types of fungal infections

Answer 50

``` Tinea pedis (athletes foot) Tinea cruris (jock itch) Tinea corporis (ringworm) Tinea barbae (beard) ``` Candidiasis: yeast-like infection