Symptom types
These are symptoms you can feel (ex. itching, burning, or pain.)
What are subjective symptoms?
Flat spot or discoloration on the skin (ex. freckle or age spot)
What is a Macule
Dead cells that form over a wound or blemish while healing; accumulation of sebum and pus, sometimes mixed with epidermal cells. (ex. scab)
What is crust?
A scale located on the scalp.
What does NOT require medical referral?
Symptoms that you can see ( ex. blisters on the foot or hand)
What are objective symptoms?
Raised, inflamed, papule with a white or yellow center containing pus in the top of the lesion. (ex. acne)
What is a Pustule?
Crack in the skin that penetrates the dermis. (ex. cracked hands or feet)
What is fissure?
A nodule felt in the neck.
What DOES require medical referral?
A wart on the top of the foot.
What is an objective symptom?
An itchy, swollen lesion that can be caused by a blow, scratch, bite of an insect, urticaria (skin allergy), or the sting of a nettle. Typically resolves on its own, but referral to a physician should be considered when the condition lasts more than three days.
What is a wheal?
Slightly raised or depressed area of the skin that forms as a result of the healing process related to an injury or lesion.
What is a scar or cicatrix?
A Keloid on the back of the ear.
What DOES require medical referral?
A tumor
What is a subjective symptom
Closed, abnormally developed sac that contains pus, semifluid, or morbid matter, above or below the skin. One can be drained of fluid; and one cannot. (ex. severe acne, lipoma)
What is a cyst or tubercle?
Open lesion on the skin or mucus membrane of the body that is accompanied by a loss of skin depth and possibly weeping of fluids or pus. Requires medical referral, particularly in clients with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes. (ex. herpes)
What is an Ulcer?
A Papule on the cheek.
What does NOT require medical referral?
Flakes of skin on the epidermis.
What is an objective symptom?
Small blister or sac containing clear fluid, lying within or just beneath the epidermis. Requires medical referral if cause is unknown or untreatable with over-the-counter products.
What is a vesicle?
Skin sore or abrasion produced by scratching or scraping. (ex. cuticle damage from nail biting)
What is Excoriation?
A bulla on the leg.
What DOES require medical referral?