The Methodist Hospital System. Leading Medicine
The Methodist Hospital System. Leading Medicine

Dermatology

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:

atrophicthin, wrinkled
blisterfluid-filled bump
crust/scabformation of dried blood, pus, or other skin fluid over a break in the skin
cystdeeply seated lesion that contains material
excoriationa scratch
hives/whealspink or white swelling of the skin
lichenificationskin that has thickened
maculea flat discolored spot
nodule/papulesolid, raised bump
raised bumpsbumps that stick out above the skin surface
patchflat, discolored spot
pustule (pimple)inflamed lesions that appear to contain pus
scalesdead skin cells that form flakes
scarfibrous tissue that forms after a skin injury