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 |
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| blister |
fluid-filled bump |
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| crust/scab |
formation of dried blood, pus, or other skin fluid over a break in the skin |
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| cyst |
deeply seated lesion that contains material |
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| excoriation |
a scratch |
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| hives/wheals |
pink or white swelling of the skin |
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| lichenification |
skin that has thickened |
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| macule |
a flat discolored spot |
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| nodule/papule |
solid, raised bump |
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| raised bumps |
bumps that stick out above the skin surface |
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| patch |
flat, discolored spot |
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| pustule (pimple) |
inflamed lesions that appear to contain pus |
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| scales |
dead skin cells that form flakes |
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| scar |
fibrous tissue that forms after a skin injury |
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Click here to view the
Online Resources of Dermatology