Skin Disorders Guide

What do doctors call this condition?
Decubitus ulcers
What is this condition?
Pressure sores are localized areas of damaged tissue that occur most often in the skin and tissue over bony prominences. These sores may be superficial, caused by local skin irritation, or deep, originating in underlying tissue. Deep lesions often go undetected until they penetrate the skin. [...]

Diagnostic Hallmarks

Distribution: face and extremities (children); groin and genitalia (adults)
Tendency for clustered formation
Central umbilication

Clinical Presentation
Molluscum contagiosum occurs as skin-colored or white papules 2-10 mm in diameter. These papules are firm, smooth surfaced, and dome shaped. Occasionally, these lesions are translucent enough to erroneously suggest vesicle formation. A central umbilication is present in about 25% of [...]

Patients with porphyria cutanea tarda generally present with bullae and erosions on the dorsal surface of the hands. There is no inflammation surrounding the lesions. Blisters on the hands, which are identical with these (but without the accompanying porphyria), occasionally occur in patients taking tetracycline, nalidixic acid, furosemide (Lasix), and certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAlDs). [...]

What is this condition?
Impetigo is a contagious, superficial skin infection marked by patches of tiny blisters that erupt, exposing the skin beneath. It can occur almost anywhere but usually appears in the area around the nose and mouth.
This disorder, which usually occurs in the late summer or early fall, spreads most easily among infants, young [...]

Diagnostic Hallmarks

Distribution: anterior lower legs
One or several palm-sized plaques
Lesional pain and tenderness

Clinical Presentation
Erythema nodosum is characterized by the presence of large ( 1- to 10-cm) nonscaling, red, painful lesions on the anterior surface of the lower legs. The smaller lesions appear as slope-shouldered nodules, whereas the larger lesions appear as flat-topped plaques. Because [...]

Topically applied cytotoxic agents can be effective in the treatment of some premalignant and malignant skin diseases. Actinic keratoses on the face and scalp respond rather well to topically applied fluorouracil (Efudex and Fluoroplex). Applications of fluorouracil in a 1 % to 5% concentration are carried out on a twice daily basis. After several days [...]

Diagnostic Hallmarks

Distribution: face, hands, feet, and shoulders
Rapid growth
Occurrence in children, teenagers, and pregnant women

Clinical Presentation
Pyogenic granulomas are smooth-surfaced, red papules 5 to 15 mm in diameter. Most. lesions are dome shaped, but some are pedunculated. They may occur anywhere on the body but are most commonly seen over the shoulders and face. Lesions are [...]

Diagnostic Hallmarks

Distribution: chest, back, and shoulders
Sharp margination
Confluence of central lesions; peripheral satellite macules
Fine scale visible only with scraping
Positive potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparations

Clinical Presentation
The word “versicolor” means various colors. On sun-exposed surfaces the lesions are usually white, but on covered areas they are often light brown or brown-red. The initial lesions of tinea versicolor are sharply [...]

Diagnostic Hallmarks

Distribution: anterior shins
Violaceous border
Central atrophy or ulceration

Clinical Presentation
Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) occurs as one or more yellow plaques on the anterior lower legs. Rarely, lesions may be found on the arms, face, and dorsal surface of the feet. Most of the plaques are 2 to 10 cm in diameter. The center of the plaque [...]

What is this condition?
Melasma disease is also called cholasma. In this disorder, patches of skin become discolored because of excessive deposits of melanin, the pigment in skin and hair. Mask of pregnancy, a folk name for a condition not always related to pregnancy (it sometimes occurs in men), poses a serious cosmetic problem. Although it [...]