Common causes of skin lesions include injury, infections, allergies, and autoimmune disorders.
Types of Skin Lesions
Primary skin lesions are either present from birth or develop during your lifetime.
Acne
Acne presents primarily as papules.
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It can also cause pustules, nodules, or cysts.
Acneis most common on the following places:
Acne can leave scars if not treated.
Acne occurswhen your pores become blocked with dead skin or an oily secretion called sebum.
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It can also be because of too much of a certain kind of bacteria on the skin.
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Actinic Keratosis
Actinic keratosisis sparked by exposure to sunlight.
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It appears as thick, scaly crusts on the skin.
It is most common in people over the age of 40.
Because it is related to years of sun exposure, it doesnt usually appear until later in life.
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About 40% to 60% of squamous cell cancer cases begin as actinic keratosis.
Actinic keratosis has a scaly, raised surface.
This makes it easier to feel than see.
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Over time, it can turn hard and wart-like.
It may develop a horn-like texture.
If you think you might have actinic keratosis, see your healthcare provider.
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Identifying and treating actinic keratosis early can help prevent skin cancer from developing.
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Blisters
Blisters are fluid-filled areas of the skin.
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They can be because of friction, such as a shoe rubbing on your skin when you walk.
They can also be due to a burn, skin disorder, or allergic reaction.
When a blister is less than 0.5 cm, it is called a vesicle.
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When its greater than 0.5 cm, it is called a bulla.
At-home treatmentworks for most blisters.
Avoid putting more pressure on the blister area and try not to pop blisters.
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If a blister does pop, clean the area.
Cover it with a sterile bandage until healed.
See a healthcare provider if you havesigns of infectionwhich include:
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Cellulitis
Cellulitisis a skin infection.
It happens when bacteria or fungi enter the skin.
Symptoms of cellulitis include:
Cellulitis feels hot to the touch.
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It can also cause a fever and you may feel unwell.
It is important to see a healthcare provider if you have signs of cellulitis.
If identified early, most cases can be treated at home with antibiotics.
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If left untreated, severe and serious complications can occur.
Sometimes hospitalization may be needed.
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Chickenpox
Chickenpox, also called varicella, is a viral skin infection.
Chickenpox causes red, fluid-filled blisters all over the body.
They are typically hot and itchy.
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The blisters can ooze pus and may cause secondary crusting.
Chickenpox is contagious two days before the rash first appears.
It remains contagious until all the blisters have crusted over.
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It is possible to recognize chickenpox at home.
However, you may want to see a healthcare provider to confirm the diagnosis.
Comedones
Comedonesare a kind of acne.
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There are a few different types:
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Cold Sores
Cold soresare sores on the mouth or lip area.
They are brought on by theherpes simplex virus (HSV).
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Cold sores can be red, painful, and cause fluid-filled blisters.
You may feel tingling before the sore appears.
Because they are brought on by a virus, you may also have flu-like symptoms.
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Eczema
Eczemais also called atopic dermatitis.
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Freckles
Frecklesare small, flat, light-brown macules on the skin.
They arecaused by sun exposure.
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Freckles do not require any treatment unless they change and skin cancer is suspected.
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Hives
Hives, also calledurticaria, are red, swollen, raised marks on the skin.
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Hives can itch or sting.
Typically, the individual marks last less than 24 hours, though more can continue to appear.
Treatment is similar for both conditions.
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If breathing is affected, it is essential to seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Call 911 if you experience:
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Impetigo
Impetigois a bacterial skin infection.
Skin Cancer Foundation
It is resulting from bacteria entering the skin through a hair follicle or a small cut.
The condition causes sores, crusts, and blister-like bumps.
Impetigo is very contagious.
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It most commonly affects young children.Antibiotics are typically used to treat the infection.
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Keloids
Keloidsare raised scars that form after an injury.
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They range in color from flesh-colored to red.
Keloids are sparked by an overgrowth of scar tissue and are often itchy and uncomfortable.
Some people are more prone to developing keloids.
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However, certain preventative measures may stop keloids from forming.
Those who have had keloids in the past have a higher risk of developing them again.
However, if you want to avoid keloid development around a healing wound, consult a dermatologist.
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Treatment can helpreduce their appearance.
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Moles
Moles(alsomelanocytic nevusor nevus) are usually round, brown/pink macules, papules, or nodules.
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They can be found anywhere on the body and may appear at any age.
Moles are usually harmless.
This could be a sign of melanoma, a bang out of skin cancer.
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If you find anything, see a healthcare provider right away.
Skin Cancer Foundation
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Hispanic people are more likely to have salmon-colored psoriasis and silvery-white scales.
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In African Americans, psoriasis often looks violet and the scales are gray.
Psoriasis happens because the body produces skin cells too quickly, over days rather than weeks.
The excess growth of skin cells causes thick, raised, scaly patches.
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Scabies
Scabiesis because of a mite.
It begins with intense itching.
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A rash can also develop.
The rash appears as small red papules, welts, or scaly lesions.
Repeated scratching can damage the skin.
DermNet NZ
Treatment typically includes medication to kill parasites that’s applied to the skin.
See a healthcare provider if you suspect scabies because complications can emerge if it’s not treated.
Some, like kidney and heart damage, can be serious.
Sebaceous Cyst
Sebaceouscystsare round and filled with keratin, a protein found in skin, hair, and nails.
The nodules are firm and usually skin-colored.
They usually appear on the upper body or face.
They can range in size and occasionally rupture.
A ruptured cyst may become infected and needs to be treated.
Otherwise, sebaceous cysts dont usually require treatment.
They tend to grow slowly and are benign.
Shingles
Shinglesis due to the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox.
A shingles rash is a very painful red rash comprised of macules, papules, and blisters.
The blisters can break and weep fluid.
This can lead to secondary crusting.
The rash itches, burns, and can be painful.
Other symptoms may include:
You may hear shingles referred to as a belt or band.
This is because it often appears as a belt-like formation around the rib cage or waist.
The risk of shingles can be reduced with vaccines likeShingrix.
The vaccine also protects againstpostherpetic neuralgia, a painful condition of the nerves.
This is the most common complication of shingles.
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Skin Tag
Skin tagsare also calledacrochordon.
They are soft, small, skin-colored growths and occur more often as people age.
Removal is not usually necessary.
Warts
Wartsare because of thehuman papillomavirus (HPV).
They tend to occur in groups and are contagious.
Warts are raised, flesh-colored papules.
They may contain tiny black dots in the center.
They are not dangerous but can be painful and are easy to pass to others.
There are several different types of warts, including:
Most warts are not dangerous.
Rarely, some types of human papillomavirus that causegenital wartscan cause cervical or anal cancer.
Healthcare providers are often able to diagnose skin lesions simply by looking at them.
The lesion and surrounding skin will likely be numbed with a local anesthetic before the removal.
They can vary in appearance and may or may not be cancerous.
Many lesions can be treated at home with topical ointments and creams.
Others require treatment from a healthcare provider.
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