Understanding Words for a Child's Skin Condition
Words used to describe skin conditions
Your child's healthcare provider may use some of the words below to describe your child's skin condition.
|
Term
|
What it means
|
|
Abscess
|
A closed, painful pocket of pus that may look like a pimple or blister
|
|
Atrophic
|
Thin, wrinkled
|
|
Blister
|
Fluid-filled bump under or within the top layer of skin
|
|
Crust or scab
|
Formation of dried blood, pus, or other skin fluid over a break in the skin
|
|
Cyst
|
Thin-walled lesion that contains fluid or other material, is under the skin, and may be deep in tissue
|
|
Excoriation
|
A scratch
|
|
Hives, wheals, welts, urticaria
|
Pink or white swelling of the skin
|
|
Lesion
|
Any abnormal mark or change on the skin
|
|
Lichenification
|
Skin that has thickened usually due to scratching
|
|
Macule
|
Small, flat, discolored spot
|
|
Nodule/papule
|
Small, solid, raised bump
|
|
Patch
|
Large, flat, discolored area
|
|
Pustule (pimple)
|
Inflamed lesion that appears to contain pus
|
|
Plaque
|
Large, raised area of skin
|
|
Scales
|
Dead skin cells that form flakes
|
|
Scar
|
Fibrous tissue that has formed after a skin injury
|
Online Medical Reviewer:
Michael Lehrer MD
Online Medical Reviewer:
Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Tennille Dozier RN BSN RDMS
Date Last Reviewed:
9/1/2023
© 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.