Describing a Skin Condition
A physician may ask you to describe your dermatological condition and its location. Here are some of the more common terms that may help you in providing a more accurate description:
| atrophic | thin, wrinkled |
|---|
| blister | fluid-filled bump |
|---|
| crust/scab | formation of dried blood, pus, or other skin fluid over a break in the skin |
|---|
| cyst | deeply seated lesion that contains material |
|---|
| excoriation | a scratch |
|---|
| hives/wheals | pink or white swelling of the skin |
|---|
| lichenification | skin that has become thickened, hardened, or leathery |
|---|
| macule | a flat discolored spot |
|---|
| nodule/papule | solid, raised bump |
|---|
| raised bumps | bumps that stick out above the skin surface |
|---|
| patch | flat, discolored spot |
|---|
| pustule (pimple) | inflamed, elevated lesions that appear to contain pus |
|---|
| scales | dead skin cells that form flakes |
|---|
| scar | fibrous tissue that forms after a skin injury |
|---|
Click here to view the
Online Resources of Dermatology