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SKIN AFFLICTIONS
Lesions
A lesion is a structural change in the tissues caused by injury or disease. These are of two types:
primary and secondary.
Primary Lesions
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Macule
: A small discoloured spot or patch on the surface of the skin, neither raised nor sunken.
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Papule :
A small elevated pimple on the skin containing no fluid, but which may develop pus.
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Wheal
: An itchy, swollen spot that lasts only for a few hours. This is usually caused by mosquito or insect bites.
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Tubercle
: A soiled lump larger than a papule, which projects above the surface of the skin or lies within or under the skin, varying in size from a pea to a nut.
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Tumour
: An external swelling, varying in size, shape and
colour.
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Vesicle: A blister with clear fluid init. It lies just beneath the epidermis and is smaller in size.
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Bulla
: A blister containing watery fluid. It is similar to a vesicle but larger in size.
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Pustule
: An elevation of the skin with an inflamed base and which contains pus. It looks like a common pimple.
Secondary Lesions
The secondary lesions are those skin diseases which develop in the later stages and are of a serious nature. These are :
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Scale
: An accumulation of the epidermal flakes . It may be dry or greasy.
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Crust ( Scab) : An accumulation of sebum and pus, mixed, perhaps, with the epidermal material.
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Excoriation : A skin abrasion produced by scratching or scraping. It may be due to the loss of superficial skin after an injury.
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Fissure :
A crack in the skin penetrating into the derma as in the case of a chapped skin.
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Ulcer :
An open lesion on the skin or mucous membrane of the body, accompanied by pus and loss of skin depth.
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Scar : It is likely to form after the healing of an injury or skin condition that has penetrated the dermal layer.
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Stain :
An abnormal discoloration of the skin.
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