TYPES OF SKIN LESIONS
Macule: Flat, circumscribed
area that is changed in color; <
1 cm diameter
Ex: Freckles, petechiae, measles,
nevi
Papule: Elevated, firm,
circumscribed area; < 1 cm
diameter
Ex: warts, elevated moles,
Patch: Flat, nonpalpable,
irregular shape macule; > 1 cm
in diameter
Ex: Vitiligo, Mongolian spots
Plaque: Elevated, firm, rough
lesions; > 1 cm in diameter
Ex: Psoriasis, keratosis
Wheal: Elevated, irregular
shaped area of cutaneous
edema; variable diameter
Ex: insect bites, allergy reaction
Nodule: Elevated, firm,
circumscribed area; deeper in
dermis; 1-2 cm in diameter
Ex: erythema, liposomas
Tumor: Elevated, solid lesions,
circumscribed area; may or may
not be clearly demarcated
deeper in dermis; > 2 cm in
diameter
Ex: neoplasm, lipoma
Vesicle: Elevated,
circumscribed, superficial with
serous fluid < 1 cm diameter
Ex: varicella, herpes zoster
(shingles)
Bulla: vesicle, > 1 cm diameter
Ex: blister
Resource: Cooper, Kim, Kelly Gosnell. Adult Health Nursing, 7th Edition. Mosby, 082014. VitalBook file.
TYPES OF SKIN LESIONS
Pustule: Elevated, superficial
lesions; similar to a vesicle
but with purulent fluid
Ex: acne, impetigo
Cyst: Elevated, circumscribed,
encapsulated lesions in subQ
layer with liquid or semisolid
material
Excoriation: Loss of the epidermis;
linear hollowed-out crusted area
Ex: scabies
Fissure: linear crack or break
from epidermis to dermis;
may be dry or moist
Ex: athlete’s foot,
Erosion: loss of part of
epidermis; depressed, moist,
glistening, follows rupture of
vesicle or bulla
Lceration: loss of epidermis and
dermis
Ex: pressure sores, stasis ulcers
Crust (scab): Dried serum,
blood or purulent exudate.
Size varies, may be brown,
red, black or tan
Ex: eczema, impetigo
Lichenification: Rough,
thickened epidermis d/t
persistent rubbing or
irritation; often involves
flexor surface
Scale: Heaped-up keratinized cells;
flaky skin; irregular; thick or thin; dry
or oil
Resource: Cooper, Kim, Kelly Gosnell. Adult Health Nursing, 7th Edition. Mosby, 082014. VitalBook file.