Primary Skin Lesions – What Are the Types & Causes?

116

A primary skin lesion is a section of skin that has an abnormal growth or appearance when compared to the surrounding skin.
Skin lesions are classified into two types: primary and secondary.
Primary skin lesions are abnormal skin conditions that can be present at birth or developed throughout a person’s life.
Primary skin lesions that have been inflamed or modified cause secondary skin lesions. For example, if a mole is scratched until it bleeds, the subsequent lesion, a crust, becomes a secondary skin lesion.
Skin blemishes are caused by a variety of conditions.

Acne

Acne most commonly affects the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and upper back.
Blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, or deep, painful cysts and nodules are all symptoms of an acne breakout.
It may leave scars or discolor the skin if left untreated.

Sores on the lips

A cold sore is a blister that is red, painful, and filled with fluid that occurs near the mouth and lips.
Herpes simplex viruses 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) cause vaginal lesions as well as several forms of oral lesions.
Before the cold sore appears, the affected area may tingle or burn.
These blisters appear alone or in groups, leaking clear yellow fluid before crusting over.
Blisters might reappear as a result of stress, menstruation, illness, or sun exposure.

Actinic keratosis

Actinic keratosis is a thick, scaly, or crusty skin area that is usually less than 2 centimeters (cm) in size, or approximately the size of a pencil eraser.
It appears on regions of the body that are exposed to a lot of sunlight (the hands, arms, face, scalp, and neck).
It’s commonly pink, although it can also have a brown, tan, or grey basis.

Eczema due to allergies

• Allergic eczema causes itchy, red, scaly, or raw skin.
• It frequently appears on the hands and forearms and may mimic a burn.
• It also causes blisters to leak, ooze, or crust over.

Impetigo

• blisters that pop easily and leave a honey-colored crust.
• The rash is frequently found around the mouth, chin, and nose.
• Babies and infants are particularly vulnerable to the illness.

Dermatitis due to contact

• Itchy, red, scaly, or raw skin is a symptom of contact dermatitis.
• It manifests itself hours to days after coming into touch with an allergen.
• A contact dermatitis rash has distinct borders and occurs where your skin came into contact with the irritant.
• It also causes blisters to leak, ooze, or crust over.

Psoriasis

• Psoriasis is characterized by scaly, silvery, and well-defined skin patches.
• It is frequently found on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back.
• It could be itchiness or asymptomatic.

Chickenpox 

Chickenpox causes clusters of painful, red, fluid-filled blisters to appear all over the body at various stages of healing.
Fever, bodily aches, sore throat, and loss of appetite are all symptoms of chickenpox.
Chickenpox is contagious until all of the blisters crust over.

Shingles

• Even if there are no blisters, shingles generate a very unpleasant rash that may burn, tickle, or itch.
• A shingles rash shows as a linear stripe pattern on the chest, although it can arise in other regions of the body, including the face.
• The rash consists of clusters of fluid-filled blisters that readily break and drip fluid.
• A mild fever, chills, headache, or weariness may accompany the rash.

Cysts of the epidermis

• Epidermoid cysts can appear on the face, neck, or torso.
• Large cysts can put a strain on the body and create pain.
• They are noncancerous, contain the protein keratin, and grow slowly.
• They are occasionally confused with sebaceous cysts, which are filled with sebum.

What causes lesions on the skin?

• An infection on or in the skin is the most prevalent cause of a skin lesion.
• A wart is one example. The human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes warts, is transmitted from person to person via direct skin-to-skin contact. Direct touch is also used to spread the herpes simplex virus, which causes both cold sores and genital herpes.
• Skin lesions can appear all over your body as a result of a systemic infection, which is an infection that spreads throughout your body. Chickenpox and shingles are two examples. MRSA and cellulitis are two potentially fatal illnesses that cause skin sores.
• Moles and freckles, for example, are skin blemishes that are inherited. Birthmarks are lesions that are present at birth.
• Others, such as allergic eczema and contact dermatitis, can be the result of an allergic reaction. Some medical disorders, such as poor circulation or diabetes, create skin sensitivity, which can result in lesions.

What are the many kinds of primary skin lesions?

Birthmarks, like moles and pimples, are primary skin lesions. Other types include the ones listed below.

Blisters

Blisters are skin lesions that contain a clear fluid. Vesicles are little blisters that are smaller than 1 centimeter in size. Bullae, or just blisters, are larger blisters.
These sores can be caused by: sunburns
Insect bites, friction from shoes or clothing, and viral infections are all causes of steam burns.

Macules

Macules are microscopic patches that might be brown, red, or white. They are typically 1 cm in diameter. Freckles and flat moles are two examples.

Nodules

A nodule is a phrase used to describe growths that occur beneath the skin, such as cysts. Nodules are typically less than 2 cm in diameter. If the nodule grows large enough, it might harm the surrounding skin as well.

Papules

• A papule is a raised lesion that often occurs with additional papules.
• A plaque is a group of papules or nodules. Plaques are common in people with psoriasis.
• Pustules are little lesions filled with pus. Acne boils, or impetigo is the most common causes.

Rashes

Rashes are skin lesions that can range in size from small to large. They could be caused by an allergic reaction. When a person comes into touch with poison ivy, he or she develops a classic allergic reaction rash.

Wheals

A wheel is a skin lesion that develops as a result of an allergic reaction. Wheals are characterized by hives.

What are the many kinds of secondary skin lesions?

When initial skin lesions become inflamed, they might progress to secondary skin lesions. The following are the most common secondary skin lesions:

Crusts 

Crusts or scabs form when dried blood forms over a scraped and irritated skin area.

Scales 

Scales are areas of skin cells that pile up and eventually flake off the skin, such as those caused by actinic keratosis.

Scars Some scratches, wounds, and scrapes will leave scars that will not be replaced by healthy, normal skin. Instead, the skin returns in the form of a thick, elevated scar. A keloid is a form of scar that looks like this.

Skin deterioration

Skin atrophy happens when regions of your skin are thin and wrinkled as a result of inadequate circulation or excessive usage of topical steroids.

Ulcers

Ulcers are typically caused by a bacterial infection or physical damage. They are typically accompanied by an inability to circulate.

Who is at risk of developing skin lesions?

Some skin lesions are inherited. People who have a family history of moles or freckles are more prone to get such types of lesions.
Allergy sufferers are also more likely to develop skin lesions as a result of their allergies.
People who have autoimmune illnesses, such as psoriasis, are at risk of developing skin lesions for the rest of their life.

What is the treatment for skin lesions?

The underlying cause of the skin lesions is used to guide treatment. A doctor will consider the type of lesion, your personal health history, and any past treatments.

Medications

• Topical medicines are frequently used as first-line therapies to assist reduce inflammation and protecting the affected area. Topical medication can also give mild symptom relief, such as relief from pain, itching, or burning produced by a skin lesion.
• If your skin lesions are caused by a systemic infection, such as chickenpox or shingles, you may be offered oral drugs to alleviate the disease’s symptoms, including skin lesions.

Surgery

To provide therapy and alleviation, infected skin lesions are routinely perforated and drained.
Suspicious-looking moles that have changed in appearance over time may necessitate surgical excision.
Hemangioma is a birthmark caused by clogged blood arteries. This form of birthmark is frequently removed using laser treatment.

Home health care

• Some skin lesions are extremely irritating and painful. You might wish to try some home remedies for pain alleviation.
• Oatmeal baths or lotions help relieve itching and burning caused by skin sores.
• If chafing is producing contact dermatitis in areas where the skin rubs against itself or a piece of clothing, absorbent powders or protective balms can minimize friction and prevent the development of new skin lesions.

CONCLUSION

Active breakouts are aggravating enough, but the scars acne may leave can be downright devilish. Acne scars, on the other hand, can be addressed.
However, before you can begin therapy, you must first get rid of any acne once and for all, as subsequent breakouts can lead to new acne scars.
Some of the scar treatments listed below cannot be used in conjunction with standard acne drugs, and the irritation generated by breakouts can also limit treatment effectiveness.