Child Health A-Z

Describing a Skin Condition

How to describe a skin condition:

A physician may ask you to describe your child's dermatological condition and its location. Here are some of the more common terms that may help you in providing a more accurate description:

atrophic	thin, wrinkled
blister	fluid-filled bump
crust/scab	formation of dried blood, pus, or other skin fluid over a break in the skin
cyst	deeply seated lesion that contains material
excoriation	a scratch
hives/wheals	pink or white swelling of the skin
lichenification	skin that has thickened
macule	flat, discolored spot
nodule/papule	solid, raised bump
raised bumps	bumps that stick out above the skin surface
patch	flat, discolored spot
pustule (pimple)	inflamed lesions that appear to contain pus
scales	dead skin cells that form flakes
scar	fibrous tissue that has formed after a skin injury