What are skin lesions?
A skin lesion is a part of the skin that has an abnormal growth or appearance compared to the skin around it. They include bumps, patches, and changes in texture or color. In this article, we discuss the lesions on the skin face. There are two categories of skin lesions:
Primary
Secondary
Primary skin lesions:
Primary skin lesions are conditions present at birth or acquired over a person’s lifetime.
Secondary skin lesions:
Secondary skin lesions develop from irritated or manipulated primary skin lesions. For example, if someone scratches a mole until it bleeds, the resulting lesions- the crust- are now secondary.
Types of primary skin lesions
Whether the result of genetics or an environmental trigger, there are many types of primary skin lesions.
Macules
Macules are flat lesions that are usually less than 1cm in size. They’re typically the same height as the rest of the skin but can be a different shade-like brown, white, red, or tan. Macules include:
Types
Freckles
Moles
Dark spots
Vesicles
Bullae
Warts
Acne papule
Actinic keratosis
Freckles
Sun exposure prompts the production of more melanin (pigment). That can cause small, flat brown dots on the skin called freckles. Freckles are typically harmless and don’t require treatment. learn more about Glyphosate.
Moles
Bigger than freckles, flat moles develop when the skin pigment cells grow together. Moles can be brown, tan, or pink in shade. Depending on your skin tone. Common moles are round or oval, have a smooth texture, have a defined border, and can be domed-shaped. It’s unlikely that a common mole would turn into melanoma[the deadliest form of skin cancer]it would be atypical meaning they are unusual because they do not fit the description of a common mole that may be cancerous.
Dark spot
Also known as spot-flattery hyperpigmentation, dark spots can develop and cause acne breakouts to clear up, after you use certain medications, or as you go through hormonal changes. They tend to be common among people with darker skin in towns due to the skin’s melanin [pigmentation] production process. Dark spots are treatable but can return without continued treatment, such as not wearing sunblock. To get information about Adderall effects on an empty stomach.
Blisters
These little bubbles of liquid form near the top layers of the skin and typically develop when there is repeated friction against a certain part of the skin. Like when your shoes rub against your heel or in response to a heart or skin condition. Blisters include:
Vesicles
Usually no larger than 1 cm, tiny fluid-filled blisters known as vesicles may develop in a rash-like formation-often alongside allergic reactions, health conditions, or infections. Vesicles may require treatment depending on their underlying cause.
Bullae
Bullae are larger fluid-filled blisters that are typically bigger than 1cm. Caused by friction, infection, or inflammation, bullae can be filled with clear fluid or blood. They tend to go away on their own.
Lipomas
Lipomas usually develop slowly beneath. These noncancerous growths are made up of fatty tissue cells and might cause discomfort depending on their location.
Warts
Warts are small, flat, noncancerous growths that develop when the human papillomavirus (HPV) comes into contact with the skin. Where warts develop depends on the HPV strain, most commonly developing on the hands, feet, and genital area. Warts may go away on their own, but a healthcare provider can remove them if needed.
Acne papule
This common type of acne pimple describes small, hard, inflamed (and sometimes red) bumps that develop on the skin. The pimple can pop up thanks to acne-producing factors like excess oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells.
Actinic keratosis
Actinic keratosis is the most common precancerous skin growth that develops as a result of repeated sun exposure. These scaly papules are rough-feeling and can be brown, tan, white, red, pink, or skin-colored. They often itch and scab over.
Cancerous moles
A cancerous mole is a sign of melanoma of the skin. A cancerous mole is typically a new mole or an existing mole that has undergone certain changes. Treatment may involve surgery to remove the mole. Melanoma is not the most common form of skin cancer, but it is often the most serious. This is because it can quickly spread to other parts of the body, making treatment difficult and often resulting in a poor outlook. A common risk factor for cancerous moles is excessive exposure to UV radiation. Learn more about drugs and related drugs.
Treatment
The treatment for a cancerous mole is typically the same as it is for other cancers. Therefore, surgery is often the main treatment option for most cancerous moles. The surgeon will send this sample of the removed tissue to Pathology to determine the extent of the involvement of the cancer.
If there is any risk that cancer has spread to other organs, bones, or blood a doctor may perform further exams, such as lymph node biopsy, radiologic studies, or both. If the cancer has spread, a doctor will request treatments depending on where in the body it has spread to. These may include:
Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy
Radiation therapy
Targeted therapy
Red moles
Red moles, better known as angiomas, are usually nothing to worry about. However, because they can be cosmetically frustrating, it doesn’t hurt to see your dermatologist about removing the growth. Red moles are mostly hereditary, but can also develop as you get older, as life becomes stressful, or for many other reasons. Most red moles are noncancerous growths, with cherry angiomas being the most prominent form. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology claims red moles are growths of dilated blood vessels. Red moles range from a pinhead to a quarter of an inch.
How are skin lesions treated?
The type of skin lesion you have will dictate the type of treatment you receive. That’s why it’s important to see a healthcare provider for a thorough examination, testing, and diagnosis if you have a lesion you are concerned about.
The provider will likely start by asking for your medical history and specific symptoms before checking out the color, size, shape, and location of the lesion. Sometimes, removal is more of an aesthetic choice. Sometimes, what looks like a random rash or a harmless growth could be a more serious skin lesion that requires treatment or removal.
I am a medical student. I researched lesions on the skin’s face. I hope this information was beneficial for you.
