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skin lesions Alternative Names
lesions on the skin
Definition
A skin lesion is a condition in which an area of the skin has a change in appearance. It may affect one small spot of skin or the entire body.
What is going on in the body?
There are many types of changes that can take place in the skin. These include swelling, warmth, blisters, bumps, colour changes, itching, and even pain. When several skin lesions occur at the same time, the condition is often called a rash. Causes for skin lesions can range from allergic reactions to infections and even cancer.
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
When a person complains of a lesion on the skin, the doctor will want to know: - how long the lesion has been present
- where the lesion is located
- whether there is one or more than one lesion
- the description of the lesion
- how the lesion started and whether it has changed over time
- whether the lesion itches
- whether the person has experienced fever or chills
- whether anyone the person knows has had similar skin changes
- whether the person has any allergies
- what medical conditions the person may have
- what medications a person may be taking
- whether the person has had similar or other skin lesions in the past
- whether the person has had any injury to the area or a recent insect or tick bite
The doctor may ask about other symptoms, as well. This may include questions about arthritis, weight loss, or the person's sexual history.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
There are many possible causes of a skin lesion. General categories include: - injuries, including those resulting in bruises, cuts, punctures, scabs, and other damage to the skin
- insect bites, including those from mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, flies, ants, bees, and others
- infections, such as ringworm, Lyme disease, syphilis, measles, chickenpox, scabies, infectious mononucleosis, HIV, genital herpes, and herpes zoster
- allergic reactions. These can be from drugs or medications, metals, chemicals, soaps, foods, or other materials.
- primary skin diseases, such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea. These often occur for unknown reasons.
- autoimmune disorders. These are conditions that occur when a person's immune system attacks his or her own body for unknown reasons. Examples of autoimmune disorders include systemic lupus erythematosus and inflammatory bowel disease. Both of these conditions can affect many areas of the body.
- pregnancy
- other systemic conditions, such as diabetes
- skin cancer, such as a melanoma or basal cell carcinoma
- inflammation of blood vessels, called vasculitis, in the skin. An example of this condition is Henoch-Schonlein purpura, a condition that usually occurs in children after an infection.
- poor circulation, which commonly causes skin lesions in the lower legs known as stasis dermatitis. The poor circulation can be caused by damaged veins or diabetes.
Other causes are also possible. Sometimes, the cause cannot be found.
What can be done to prevent the condition?
Prevention depends on the cause. It is often difficult to prevent skin lesions. Someone with allergies should avoid contact with the substance that causes the skin break out, whenever possible. Routine childhood vaccines can prevent some infections, such as measles and chickenpox, which cause skin lesions. Skin cancer protection includes avoiding unnecessary exposure to the sun. People with fair skin are particularly warned to avoid skin cancer risks..
How is the condition diagnosed?
The cause of some skin lesions can be diagnosed after a history and examination of the rash. Other lesions may be more difficult to identify, so further tests may be needed.
The tests that are ordered depend on the suspected cause of the problem. For example, a blood test called an antibody titre can help diagnose some infections and autoimmune conditions. A blood glucose level test can help diagnose diabetes. Blood tests such as a serum pregnancy test can help diagnose pregnancy.
Sometimes, a biopsy of the affected skin is needed. In this procedure, a small piece of skin is removed with a special tool. The skin can then be analysed in the laboratory to identify the cause of the lesion.
Other tests may sometimes be needed, as well. For example, the doctor may order a chest x-ray if he or she suspects a lung infection is causing the rash.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Some skin lesions, such as severe acne, may cause permanent scarring of the skin. Other lesions may become infected because of skin breakdown. In very rare cases, skin lesions can result in death. This can occur in the case of a severe allergic skin reaction.
For most skin lesions, the long-term effects are related to the underlying cause. For example, cancer or serious infections that cause skin lesions may result in death. Skin lesions associated with pregnancy often go away after delivery.
What are the risks to others?
In some cases, skin lesions can be due to a contagious infection and may be spread to others. In most cases, however, skin lesions pose no risk to others.
What are the treatments for the condition?
Affected skin should be kept clean, especially if the skin is broken. Specific treatment depends on the cause. For example, a person with an infection may need oral antibiotics or antibiotic cream applied to the skin. An individual with an allergic reaction may need antihistamines or corticosteroid medications. Someone with an autoimmune disorder may need medications to suppress the immune system. Cancer or poor circulation may require surgery.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects depend on the treatments used. For example, antihistamines often cause drowsiness. Other specific side effects depend on the medications used. Surgery carries a risk of bleeding, infection, and allergic reaction to the anaesthesia.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
If the lesion goes away, a person may or may not need further treatment. For example, someone with diabetes or poor circulation needs further treatment and monitoring even after the skin lesion heals. An individual with ringworm, a fungal infection of the skin, usually needs no further treatment once the condition goes away.
How is the condition monitored?
A person with skin breakdown needs to watch for infection until the skin heals over. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the doctor.
Author: Adam Brochert, MD
Reviewer: HealthAnswers Australia Medical Review Panel
Editor: Dr David Taylor, Chief Medical Officer HealthAnswers Australia
Last Updated: 1/10/2001
Contributors
Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request |
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