Skin

• Psoriasis 


  Cause: Increased production of keratinocytes.

  
• Melanocyte


  Produce melanin
• Dark skin


  Overproduction of melanocytes
• Albinism 


  Less production of melanocytes that leads to someone having very light skin, hair, and eyes.

  
• Dermal Papillae 


  Pattern of friction ridges (fingerprints)
• Striae


  Stretch marks
• ABCDE's of Mole or Melanoma

  Asymmetry

  Border

  Color

  Diameter

  Evolving
• Sunburn or earlier exposure to UV 


  Risk for skin cancer
• Skin examinations should be done every month
• Cyanosis


  Bluish coloration of nail beds, skin, mucous membranes - lips, gums, tongue

  Causes: Poorly oxygenated hemoglobin, heart failure, and severe breathing disorder
• Jaundice


  Gives yellowish appearance to the whites of the eyes due to buildup of yellow pigment bilirubin in the blood.
• Hemochromatosis 


  Also called bronze diabetes as it can lead to darkening of the skin and hyperglycemia.

  
• Pallor or Blanching


  Pale skin that may signify certain types of emotional stress, anemia (decreased hematocrit), low blood pressure, or impaired blood flow into the area.
• Redness


  Cardinal sign of inflammation
• Phlebitis


  Inflammation of the vein
• Petechiae


  Pinpoint, round spots that appear on the skin as a result of bleeding

  
• Purpura


  When blood vessels get inflamed, they can bleed into the skin.

  
• Erythema 


  Abnormal redness and inflammation of the skin caused by the congestion and dilation of the capillaries.

  Localized or patchy skin rash

  
• Hematoma


  Defined as a solid swelling of clotted blood within the body's tissues.

  Sign of physical abuse.

  
• Ecchymosis


  Larger purpura

  Skin discoloration that results from bleeding underneath the skin and usually larger than 1 cm or 4 inches.

  
• Vitiligo 


  Chronic autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color.

  Melanocytes are compromised

  
• Acanthosis Nigricans 


  Hyperpigmentation of neck/nape

  Causes:

  Type 2 diabetes

  Hormone levels (Cushing syndrome, polycystic ovary)

  
• Necrosis 


  Death of tissue
• Spider angiomas 


  Benign growths made of lymph vessels

  
• Cherry Angiomas 


  Angiomas most commonly associated with adults

  
• Strawberry hemangiomas 


  Growth made of extra blood vessels in the skin

  
• Macule


  Localized change in the color of the skin like vitiligo.

  Non palpable primary lesion

  
• Patch 


  Macule more than one cm

  ex. measles

  Non palpable primary lesion

  
• Papule


  Solid lesions less than one cm in diameter

  Primary lesion

  ex. acne vulgaris

  
• Plaque


  Papule larger than 1 cm in diameter

  Primary lesion

  
• Nodule 


  Solid mass, large papule with dermal extension

  Primary lesion

  
• Wheal 


  Raised, itchy (pruritic) area of skin that is sometimes an overt sign of allergy.

  Primary lesion

  ex. Urticaria

  
• Vesicle 


  Localized collection of fluid in the skin less than 1 cm in diameter

  Primary lesion

  Airborne contact

  ex. Chicken pox

  
• Bulla


  It is vesicle larger than 1 cm

  Primary lesion

  
• Pustule


  Pus inside vesicle or bulla

  Secondary lesion

  
• Cyst


  Fluid-filled lump just underneath the skin. It's common and harmless, and may disappear without treatment.

  Secondary lesions

  
• Lichenification


  Characterized by hyperpigmentation, thickening of the skin and exaggerated skin lines.

  
• Atrophy 


  Reduction in epidermal and dermal thickness, regression of the sebaceous glands, subcutaneous fat loss, and muscle layer.

  Secondary lesion
• Ulcer


  Loss of piece of skin due to necrosis

  Secondary lesion

  
• Erosion 


  Discontinuity of the skin exhibiting incomplete loss of the epidermis, a lesion that is moist, circumscribed and usually depressed.