Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
For Physicians & Health ProfessionalsChildren's Hospital and Health System
Search
Health InformationPrograms & ClinicsFind a DoctorGiving & VolunteeringResearchAdvocacy & CommunitySafety & QualityContact UsCareers

E-mail this pageE-mail this page    Print this pagePrint this page    

Describing a Skin Condition
See also ...
Handouts/Teaching sheets
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 a 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

Click here to view related Web sites

Return to the Dermatology Home Page
Return to the Disorders, Diseases and Organ Topics Home Page

Hospital locations: Milwaukee and Fox Valley.

Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, serving Wisconsin, Northern Illinois and
Michigan's Upper Peninsula and beyond through nationally-recognized programs.

Report any problems or comments about this Web site to webmaster@chw.org.
Terms of Use and Privacy Policies. © 2012 Children's Hospital and Health System.