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1. Terminology used in
Dermatology
Dr Robert Paver
Dermatologist
Medical Director
Skin and Cancer Foundation Westmead

2. Clinical Terminology
Colour: Erythema, pigmentation, purpura
Shape: discoid (round), annular (peripheral rim
with normal centre), serpiginous, (snake like)
Macule: Flat circumscribed
area of discolouration
Papule: Small lump <5mm
Nodule: Larger lump >5mm

3. Clinical Terminology
Plaque - Circumscribed
area of elevated skin
Erosion - Area of loss of
epidermis
Excoriation - Ulceration due to
scratching

4. Clinical Terminology
Fissure - Crack though
epidermis into dermis
Ulcer - Loss of epidermis,
some dermis and
possibly fat

5. Clinical Terminology
Surface changes
Crust – accumulated dried exudate
Scale – visible flakes of shedding keratin
(dead epidermal cells)
Lichenification - thickened skin secondary to
scratching

6. Clinical Terminology
Fluid filled lesions
Vesicle – small collection
of fluid (<5mm)
Bulla – Larger collection
of fluid (>5mm)
Pustule – visible accumulation
of pus

7. Clinical Terminology
Miscellaneous terms
Telangiectasia – small blood
vessels visible on skin surface
Alopecia - area of hair loss
Blood in the skin
Petechiae (small dots) Larger patches(Purpura)

8. Treatment of Skin Disease - Topical
Bases for topical products
Creams - usually white, need
a preservative, used for
subacute conditions
Ointments - emollients,
occlusive, chronic conditions

9. Treatment of Skin Disease - Topical
Paints and lotions
Drying effect, best for
weeping (acute)rashes and
hair bearing areas
Gels clear, greaseless, dry
when applied, good for face

10. Treatment of Skin Disease - Topical
Powders have a drying effect
and often used for rashes in
intertriginous areas (eg groin,
between toes, under breasts)
Pastes are a combination of
an ointment and a powder
and are less greasy then
ointments and tend to stick
on longer.

11. References
Australasian College of Dermatologists Online
Student Teaching Modules
Images and Explanations of all skin diseases
www.dermnetnz.org
Lecture Notes on Dermatology (Brown and
Burns) Blackwell Publishing
Skin Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
(Habif) Elsevier Mosby Publishing

12. The End