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 thickened |
| 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 lesions that appear to contain pus |
| scales |
dead skin cells that form flakes |
| scar |
fibrous tissue that forms after a skin injury |
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Online Resources of Dermatology
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