MICROBIOLOGY

Skin lesions
‫نورس منعم جياد‬: ‫الطالبة‬
SKIN LESIONS
 2/What is the types of skin lesions?
 Two categories of skin lesions exist: primary and
secondary. Primary skin lesions are abnormal
skin conditions present at birth or acquired over
a person’s lifetime. Secondary skin lesions are
the result of irritated or manipulated primary
skin lesions. For example, if someone scratches a
mole until it bleeds, the resulting lesion, a crust,
is now a secondary skin lesion.
 TYPES OF PRIMARY SKIN LESIONS: BIRTHMARKS ARE
PRIMARY SKIN LESIONS, AS ARE MOLES, RASHES, AND
ACNE. OTHER TYPES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING;
 -Blisters
 Small blisters are also called vesicles. These are skin
lesions filled with a clear fluid less than 1/2 centimeter
(cm) in size. Larger vesicles are called blisters or bullae.
These lesions can be the result of: Sunburns, steam
burns, insect bites, friction from shoes or clothes, viral
infections.
 Macule
Examples of macules are freckles and flat moles. They are
small spots that are typically brown, red, or white. They are
usually about 1 cm in diameter.

-Nodule
This is a solid, raised skin lesion. Most nodules are more than
2 cm in diameter.
 Papule
 A papule is a raised lesion, and most papules develop with
many other papules. A patch of papules or nodules is
called a plaque. Plaques are common in people with
psoriasis.

 Pustule
 Pustules are small lesions filled with pus. They are
typically the result of acne, boils, or impetigo.
 Rash
 Rashes are lesions that cover small or large areas of skin.
They can be caused by an allergic reaction. A common
allergic reaction rash occurs when someone touches poison
ivy.

 -Wheals
 This is a skin lesion caused by an allergic reaction. Hives
are an example of wheals.
TYPES OF SECONDARY SKIN LESIONS
WHEN PRIMARY SKIN LESIONS ARE IRRITATED, THEY CAN DEVELOP INTO
SECONDARY SKIN LESIONS. THE MOST COMMON SECONDARY SKIN LESIONS
INCLUDE:

 Crust
 A crust, or a scab, is created when dried blood
forms over a scratched and irritated skin lesion.
 Ulcer
 Ulcers are typically caused by a bacterial infection or
physical trauma. They are often accompanied by poor
circulation.

 Scale
 Scales are patches of skin cells that build up and then flake
off the skin .figure below
Scar
Some scratches, cuts, and scrapes will leave scars that are not replaced with
healthy, normal skin. Instead, the skin returns as a thick, raised scar. This
scar is called a keloid.