dr.

NM Dwi Puspawati, SpKK

Bag/SMF I. Kes. Kulit & Kelamin
FK Unud/RS Sanglah Denpasar
The art of Diagnosis in General :
• Anamnesis
• Physical Examination
• Laboratory finding

General
history
History taking
in dermatology
Special
history
 GENERAL HISTORY

1. Race, geographical

2. Social background, ethnic tradition, dietary habits

3. Past medical history : allergy to medication, asthma,

past major illness or operation

4. Social & occupational history: travel abroad, hobbies

and details of the type of work, substances in contact
 SPECIAL HISTORY
History of present illness : duration, date & site of onset,
details of spread, evolution of rash & original morphology,
symptoms such as itchiness, pain, burning sensation, numbness,
precipitating and relieving factors such as climate, sunlight
etc.

Past history of skin disorders : history of sunburn

Family history of skin disorders : e.g. skin cancers and atopic

disorders/stigmata atopic

Drugs : include herbs, topical, systemic, patient initiated or

physician prescribed
EXAMINATION OF
THE SKIN
1. Adequate privacy
2. Good lighting
3. Magnifying glass and transparent glass slide for diascopy

It is a good practice if affordable to have thorough

examination of the whole body especially for new
consultation and for the elderly

Do not skip examination of the nail, scalp and oral mucous

membrane because there may be valuable clues, find the
atopic stigmata
EFFLORESCENCE :
A skin lesion is an abnormal growth or an area of skin that
does not resemble the skin surrounding it (normal skin)
Objective appearance

DETAIL DESCRIBED OF SKIN LESION :

1.Type of skin lesion
2.Characteristic of lesion : colour, multiple or soliter,
shape, margin, size, surface characteristics, temperature
and smell
3.Arrangement and configuration
4.Distribution
1. Type of skin lesion :
1.1. Primary lesion :
• Macula • Nodul
• Papule • Urtica
• Plaque • Bula
• Vesicle • Cyst
• Pustule

1.2. Secondary lesion :

• Scale • Lichenification
• Crust • Atrophy
• Ulcer • Scar
• Erosion • Fissure
• Excoration
2. Characteristic of skin lesion :
• Colour  salmon-pink, erythematous,
hyperpigmented, skin colour, yellow
• Multiple or soliter
• Shape  geometric shape, oval
• Margin  sharpness of edge, ill-defined
• Size  diameter, punctata, numuler
• Surface characteristics dome-shaped, umbilicated,
spike like
• Temperature and smell  warm on palpation, mousy
odor
3. Arrangement and configuration :
• Grouped as in dermatitis herpetiformis, herpes
simplex
• Annular or arciform as in granuloma annulare, tinea
circinata
• Linear pattern as in lichen planus, lichen striatus

4. Distribution :
• symmetrical, asymmetrical
• exposed area, sun exposed area
• scalp region, hand
• extensor aspect, flexor aspect
 PRIMARY LESION

Primary lesions are the first to

appear and are due to the
disease or abnormal state
A. MACULE
flat, nonpalpable circumscribed area of color change
in the skin. Macules are < 1-2 cm in size.

Macules may be the result of

(A)inflammatory vascular dilation/hyperemia
(B)bleeding/hemorhagia/purpura
(C)change of skin pigmentation
 A.1. Hyperemia (vascular dilatation)

(Latin  hyper- = over; -emia = related to blood) is a

temporary skin redness due to increased blood flow. The
lesion blanch upon pressure (diascopy).

1. Roseola (Ø 1cm/nail plate)

2. Erytematous (> 1 cm)
3. Telengictasis : dilated
superficial blood vessels
 A.2. Hemorhagia/purpura

A purpura (Latin  purpura = purple) is a small (3mm – 1

cm) purplish bruise/ violaceous color due to extravasations of
blood into the tissue. It does not blanch on applying the
pressure.
1.Petechia : (Latin  petecchia (plural = petechiae) = spot
on skin) is a small (< 3 mm)
2.Vibises
3.Ecchimoses (large, > 3 mm)
A.3. Change of skin pigmentation

1. Hyperpigmentation  increase of pigmentation

o. Melasma gravidarum
o. Mongolian spot

2. Hypopigmentation  decrease of pigmentation

o. Pithyriasis versicolor
o. Leucoderma

3. Depigmentasi  no pigment
o. Vitiligo
 Hipopigmentation

Hiperpigmentation
B. PAPULE
• Small solid elevation of skin generally < 0,5 cm in diameter.
• Papules may be flat-topped, dome shaped, or spicular
• Papules may result from localized hyperplasia of dermal or
epidermal cellular elements
C. PLAQUE
palpable, plateau-like elevation of skin, usually more than 2
cm in diameter and rarely more than 5 mm in height. Often
formed by a convergence of papules, as in psoriasis.

Well-defined, reddish,
scaling plaques
D. VESICLE

Vesicles are raised lesions less than 1 cm in diameter

that are filled with clear fluid. Vesicle walls can be so
thin that the contained fluid is easily seen. Fluid can be
accumulated within or below the epidermis.
E. BULA (BLISTER)

Bula (Lat. bulla = bubble) is a vesicle that exceeds 1 cm in size

circumscribed, elevated lesion that is > 1 cm in diameter, containing
serous (clear) fluid.
F. PUSTULE
superficial, elevated lesion that contains pus (pus in a
blister). Pustules may vary in size and shape. Pus is
composed of leukocytes with or without cellular debris. It
may also contain bacteria or may be sterile.
G. NODULE
Nodule is a solid, round, or ellipsoidal palpable lesion that has a
diameter larger than 0,5 cm. Nodules can involve any layer of the skin.
Based on the anatomical components involved, there are five types of
nodules: epidermal, epidermal-dermal, dermal, dermal-subdermal, and
subcutaneous.
H. CYST

An encapsulated or epithelial
lined cavity containing liquid or
semisolid material (fluid, cells,
and cell products). A spherical
or oval papule or nodule may be a
cyst if, when palpated, is
resilient (feels like an eyeball).

(A) epidermal cysts, lined by

squamous epithelium and produce
keratinous material. (B) Pilar
cysts, lined by multilayered
epithelium
 I. WHEAL OR URTICA
Transitory, compressible papule
or plaque of dermal edema.

The papule or plaque is usually

rounded or flat-toped, and
evanescent, disappearing within
hours. The borders of a wheal
are sharp, but not stable
An eruption of wheals is termed urticaria and
usually itches
J. SPECIAL LESION

- Comedo  acne
- Telengiectasion
- Burrow  scabies
SECONDARY LESION

Result from the natural

evolution of primary lesions
A. SCALE
Scale  accumulation or abnormal shedding of horny
layer keratin (stratum corneum) in perceptible
flakes. Scales usually indicate inflammatory change
and thickening of the epidermis. They may be fine,
white and silvery, or large and fish-like, as in
ichtyosis
B. ULCER

circumscribed area of skin loss

extending through the epidermis
and at least part of the dermis
(papillary).

Basically, it's a "hole in the skin".

Ulcers usually result from the
impairment of vascular and
nutrient supply to the skin.
C. CRUST
• Dried serum, blood, or pus
on the surface of skin.
May be thin, delicate, and
friable or thick and
adherent.
• Crusts are yellow, if from
serum; green or yellow-green
if from pus; or brown or
dark red if formed from
blood.
• Crusts that occur as
honey-coloured, delicate,
glistening particulates are
typical of - Impetigo.
D. EROSION & EXCORATION
Erosion: moist, circumscribed, slightly
depressed areas of skin due to loss of all
or part of the epidermis.

Excoriation: linear or punctate superficial excavations of

epidermis caused by scratching, rubbing, or picking.
E. LICHENIFICATION
Chronic thickening of the skin along with increased skin
markings. Results from scratching or rubbing.
F. ATROPHY
Paper-thin, wrinkled skin
with easily visible vessels.
Results from loss of
epidermis, dermis or both.
Seen in aged, some burns,
and longterm use of highly
potent topical
corticosteroids.

(A) Dermal atrophy

manifests as a depression
in the skin. (B) Epidermal
atrophy manifests as thin
almost transparent skin;
may not retain normal skin
lines
G. SCAR
Replacement of normal
tissue by fibrous connective
tissue at the site of injury
to the dermis. Scars may be
hypertrophic, atrophic,
sclerotic or hard due to
collagen proliferation.

(A) Hypertrophic or (B)

atrophic scar

Hypertrophic
scar
SHAPE, ARRANGEMENT
AND CONFIGURATION
 Granuloma
annulare,tinea
Annular = Ring shaped
corporis,erythema
annulare centrifugum

Numular/discoid = Coin
Nummular eczema,
shaped with uniform
plaque-type
morphology from the
psoriasis,discoid lupus
edges to the center.

Polycyclic = formed from Urtikaria,subacute

coalesing circle cutaneus
Arcuate = arc shape,
Urtikaria,subacute
result from incomplate
cutaneus lupus
formation of an annular
eritematosus
lesion

Scabies burrow,
poison ivy dermatitis,
Linear = straight line
lichen nitidus, lichen
planus(lesi multipel

Reticular = net-like Livedo reticularis

 Cutaneus larva
Serpiginous = snake-like
migrans

Targetoid = target-like Erytema multiforme

Whorled = like marbel

Incontinentia pigment
cake
 Herpetiformis Scattered

Lesions clustered together Irregularly distributed

(e.g. herpes simplex)
DISTRIBUTION OF SKIN
LESION
EXAMINATION OF
THE HAIR
• Evaluate hair quantity and quality  its
length, density, colour and texture
• Look for associated skin conditions, especially
those affecting the scalp
• Hair loss associated with excessive shedding
 positive Hair pull test
 HAIR PULL TEST

• Grasp a lock of hairs to determine if any can be

extracted with firm pull
• Normally 0-2 telogen hairs can be extracted: these
are hairs in the resting phase, identified using
magnification by a rounded bulb at the proximal end
• An elongated or tapered end indicates anagen hair
(growing phase). Anagen hairs extracted by the
gentle hair pull test are pathologic.
 Thinned or absent hair
• Thinning hair or balding (alopecia) may be localised or diffuse.
• Localised alopecia may affect a single or multiple areas.
• Evaluate :
1. Round/oval, “moth-eaten” or linear bald patches
2. Short hairs: these may be tapered at the tip (normal re-
growth), “exclamation mark” (hairs tapered near scalp),
broken-off, singed or cut
3. Negative or positive hair pull test
4. Scarring (cicatricial alopecia) i.e. no follicles, or non-
scarring alopecia (follicular orifices present)
5. Multiple hairs in single follicle (“tufted folliculitis”).
 Localized alopecia

Scarring alopecia
Localised alopecia areata

Tufted folliculitis
 Diffuse alopecia
Diffuse alopecia is most often due to pattern balding, and more
prominent over the vertex of the scalp

Pattern balding Pattern balding

(male) (female)
 Scalp skin

• Evaluate the appearance of the scalp  oily or dry

• Look for localized lesions and inflammatory skin diseases.
• Evaluate:
1. Diffuse, patchy or perifollicular erythema
2. Diffuse, patchy or follicular flaking or scaling
3. Follicular or non-follicular papules, erosions or pustules
4. Nits (louse egg cases)
5. Excoriations (an indication of severity of itching)
pityriasis amiantacea Perifollicular erythema: frontal
fibrosing alopecia
 Excessive hair

• Excessive hair may be due to localised or diffuse

hypertrichosis or in women, hirsutism, which refers to an
adult male pattern of hair growth.
• Hypertrichosis describes localised or diffuse excessive hair on
face, arms, legs or trunk. It may be due to increase in lanugo
(soft, fine and blond) or terminal hair.
 Elsewhere
• A complete examination  inspection of terminal hair of the
eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, axilla & pubic area
• In adolescents  note stage of pubertal development (Tanner
growth charts)
• Premature pubarche  appearance of pubic hair without
other signs of puberty :
- < 9 years in boys
- < 7 years in white girls
- < 6 years in black girls
EXAMINATION OF THE
NAILS
 Introduction

Nails are a specialised form

of stratum corneum and are
made predominantly of
keratin. Their primary
functions are for protection,
scratching and picking up
small objects.
Examination of the nails  evaluate :
• Abnormalities of nail plate surface
• Nail plate discolouration
• Abnormalities of the cuticle and nail fold
• Abnormalities of nail shape
• Complete loss of nails
• Lesions around nails
Abnormalities of the nail plate surface

Nail plate abnormalities are often due to

inflammatory conditions affecting the matrix or
nail bed. Specific diagnoses may be made from
characteristic appearances, which are generally
self-explanatory
 PITTING TRANSVERSE RIDGING
Eczema, psoriasis, Alopesia Psoriasis, trauma, acute
areata systemic illness
 LONGITUDINAL RIDGING +
LONGITUDINAL SPLITTING LONGITUDINAL GROOVE
Cyst or tumour of matrix,
Aging, trauma, lichen planus,
Trauma
psoriasis
 Onychogryphosis (thick hard
curved nail plate) Nail plate thinning

Ageing, Psoriasis, Trauma Lichen Planus, trauma

 Psoriasis,
Nail plate crumbling
Onychomycosis

Water/detergent
damage, Nail
Distal lamellar polish removers,
splitting; brittle nails Traumatic
removal or artificial
nails

Lichen planus, Twenty

Rough nails
Nail Dystrophy
 Discolouration of nails
Yellow white or yellow distally

Yellow nail syndrome, Psoriasis, dermatitis, lichen

Onychomycosis, Psoriasis planus, Nail infection
Staining from nail enamel
 Green Brown or black
Infection Staining, Drugs Infection,
Melanocytic naevus,
Melanoma Racial
 Cuticle and nail fold abnormalities
Ragged cuticles &
Distal digital infarcts
telangiectases
Vasculitis
Trauma: hang nail Connective
tissue disease
Distal subungual hyperkeratosis
Paronychia
Psoriasis, Onychomycosis,
Norwegian scabies
Lesions around nails
EXAMINATION OF THE
MUCOSA
Examination of the mucosa :
1.Mucosa oral
2.Mucosa genetalia
 Examination of mucosa oral
• Observe the color & its consistency
• The presence or absence of saliva in the floor of mouth
• The tongue’s appearance  distinct on the dorsal, ventral and
lateral aspect
• The dentition and whether there are grossly carious teeth
• The use of removable prosthesis
• Observe : lesion, ulcer
 Disorder of the oral mucosa

Fissured tongue
Granulomatosa Cheilitis
 Disorder of the oral mucosa

Hairy tongue
Geographic tongue
 Disorder of the oral mucosa

Erosion on lips, tongue and

Mucocele
palate
 Disorder of the oral mucosa

Aphthous ulcer
Kaposi sarcoma
 Examination of mucosa genitalia

Lesion of the Mucosa genitalia may be any of the following :

• Normal variant
• Manifestations of STD
• Dermatoses that may be generalized or found at extra-genital
site but that have a predilection for the genitalia
• Dermatoses that are spesific to the genitalia
 Normal variant

Sebaceous gland
Pearly penile papules prominence
 Manifestation of STD

Ulkus durum
Herpes genitalis
Dermatoses with a predilection for the
genitalia

Lichen planus
Psoriasis
 Primary genital dermatoses

Squamous cell carcinoma

Lichen sclerosus