Patient Information
Describing a Skin Condition
How to describe 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 |