Describing a Skin Condition
A physician may ask you to describe your child's 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 |
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 has formed after a skin injury |
Click here to view the
Online Resources of Dermatology
Last reviewed: 4/28/2011