A skin lesion occurs when the skin develops an abnormal appearance or growth that looks different when compared to the rest of the skin. There are two categories of skin lesions: primary skin lesions are abnormal skin conditions which are present at birth or develop during an individual’s lifetime, while secondary skin lesions occur as a result of irritated or manipulated primary skin lesions. There are many conditions that can cause skin lesions, including:
1. Acne
This common condition can affect the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and upper back. Acne breakouts may lead to painful cysts, pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. If left untreated, or treated improperly, acne may leave behind scars or dark marks.
2. Cold sores
A cold sore is a blister that looks red and painful, often found near the mouth and lips. These sores may tingle or burn and may be accompanied by symptoms of mild flu, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, and low fever. The herpes simplex virus (HSV) commonly causes genital and oral cold sores, or lesions, that may appear alone or in clusters. These lesions may produce yellow or clear fluid and then crust over. Other signs of infection include decreased appetite, body aches, headache, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and fever. Cold sores can also occur due to sun exposure, illness, menstruation, and stress.
3. Actinic keratosis
Actinic keratosis is a thick, scaly, or crusty patch of skin less than 2cm in size. It generally appears on body parts that are frequently exposed to the sun, like the neck, scalp, arms, hands, and face. The affected area may look pink with a gray, tan, or brown base.
4. Allergic eczema
This type of skin lesion usually resembles a burn, often affecting the hands and arms and resulting in raw, scaly, red, and itchy skin. Blisters may weep, ooze, and become crusty. Impetigo eczema is especially common among children and babies. This rash is located around the nose, chin, and mouth. The fluid-filled rash and blisters pop easily and have a honey-colored crust.
5. Contact dermatitis
Dermatitis occurs when the skin comes into contact with an allergen or irritant, resulting in a rash where the contact occurred within the hours or days following contact. The rash is not contagious, but can be very uncomfortable. Common allergens include cosmetics, fragrances, plants, and more.
6. Psoriasis
This condition leads to sharply defined skin patches that look scaly and silvery. These patches commonly occur on the scalp, knees, elbows, and lower back and may itch, though some are asymptomatic.
7. Chickenpox
Chickenpox is characterized by clusters of blisters filled with fluid that can be red and itchy in different stages of healing. The rash is often accompanied by loss of appetite, sore throat, body aches, and fever. This condition is contagious until the rashes clear out.
8. Shingles
Shingles are painful rashes that burn, itch, and tingle, even if no blisters are seen. The rash may be accompanied by fluid-filled blisters that occur on the torso or other parts of the body, like the face. This condition can be accompanied by fatigue, headache, low fever, and chills.
9. Scabies
Scabies is an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite that has an incubation period of two to four weeks. This condition can lead to an itchy pimple-like rash or tiny blisters. It is commonly caused by direct skin to skin contact with someone else who has scabies and is often contracted in crowded places.
If you develop any of these skin conditions, and are concerned about them or they become severe, you should see a doctor immediately. A doctor will be able to help prevent and treat the skin lesions caused by these conditions.
