Understanding Words for a Child's Skin Condition

Term

What it means

Abscess

A closed, painful pocket of pus that may look like a pimple or blister

Atrophic

Thin, wrinkled

Blister

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

Crust or 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

Any abnormal mark or change on the skin

Lichenification

Skin that has thickened usually due to scratching

Macule

Small, flat, discolored spot

Nodule/papule

Small, solid, raised bump

Patch

Large, flat, discolored area

Pustule (pimple)

Inflamed lesion that appears to contain pus

Plaque

Large, raised area of skin

Scales

Dead skin cells that form flakes

Scar

Fibrous tissue that has formed after a skin injury