Describing a Child's Skin Condition

Terms used to describe a skin condition

Your child's healthcare provider may use some of the terms below to describe your child's skin condition.

Atrophic

Thin, wrinkled

Blister

Fluid-filled bump under or within the top layer of skin

Crust/scab

Formation of dried blood, pus, or other skin fluid over a break in the skin

Cyst

Thin-walled lesion that contains fluid or other material, is under the skin, and may be deep in tissue

Excoriation

A scratch

Hives/wheals

Welts/urticaria

Pink or white swelling of the skin

Lesion

Abnormal mark or change on the skin

Lichenification

Skin that has thickened usually due to scratching

Macule

Small, flat, discolored spot

Nodule/papule

Solid, raised bump

Patch

Large, flat, discolored spot

Pustule (pimple)

Inflamed lesions that appear to contain pus

Scales

Dead skin cells that form flakes

Scar

Fibrous tissue that has formed after a skin injury