Lesions on the Skin - Skin Lesions

A skin lesion is a condition in which an area of the skin has a change in appearance. It may affect one small spot of skin or the entire body.

What is going on in the body?

There are many types of changes that can take place in the skin. These include swelling, warmth, blisters, bumps, color changes, itching, and even pain. When several skin lesions occur at the same time, the condition is often called a rash. Causes for skin lesions can range from allergic reactions to infections and even cancer.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

There are many possible causes of a skin lesion. General categories include:

Other causes are also possible. Sometimes, the cause cannot be found.

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

When a person complains of a lesion on the skin, the healthcare provider will want to know:

The provider may ask about other symptoms, as well. This may include questions about arthritis, weight loss, or the person's sexual history.

How is the condition diagnosed?

The cause of some skin lesions can be diagnosed after a history and examination of the rash. Other lesions may be more difficult to identify, so further tests may be needed.

The tests that are ordered depend on the suspected cause of the problem. For example, a blood test called an antibody titer can help diagnose some infections and autoimmune conditions. A blood glucose level test can help diagnose diabetes. Blood tests such as a serum pregnancy test can help diagnose pregnancy.

Sometimes, a biopsy of the affected skin is needed. In this procedure, a small piece of skin is removed with a special tool. The skin can then be analyzed in the lab to identify the cause of the lesion.

Other tests may sometimes be needed, as well. For example, the provider may order a chest x-ray if he or she suspects a lung infection is causing the rash.

What can be done to prevent the condition?

Prevention depends on the cause. It is often difficult to prevent skin lesions. Someone with allergies should avoid contact with the substance that causes the skin break out, whenever possible. Routine childhood vaccines can prevent some infections, such as measles and chickenpox, which cause skin lesions. Skin cancer protection includes avoiding unnecessary exposure to the sun. People with fair skin are particularly warned to avoid skin cancer risks..

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

Some skin lesions, such as severe acne, may cause permanent scarring of the skin. Other lesions may become infected because of skin breakdown. In very rare cases, skin lesions can result in death. This can occur in the case of a severe allergic skin reaction.

For most skin lesions, the long-term effects are related to the underlying cause. For example, cancer or serious infections that cause skin lesions may result in death. Skin lesions associated with pregnancy often go away after delivery.

What are the risks to others?

In some cases, skin lesions can be due to a contagious infection and may be spread to others. In most cases, however, skin lesions pose no risk to others.

What are the treatments for the condition?

Affected skin should be kept clean, especially if the skin is broken. Specific treatment depends on the cause. For example, a person with an infection may need oral antibiotics or antibiotic cream applied to the skin. An individual with an allergic reaction may need antihistamines or corticosteroid medications. Someone with an autoimmune disorder may need medications to suppress the immune system. Cancer or poor circulation may require surgery.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Side effects depend on the treatments used. For example, antihistamines often cause drowsiness. Other specific side effects depend on the medications used. Surgery carries a risk of bleeding, infection, and allergic reaction to the anesthesia.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

If the lesion goes away, a person may or may not need further treatment. For example, someone with diabetes or poor circulation needs further treatment and monitoring even after the skin lesion heals. An individual with ringworm, a fungal infection of the skin, usually needs no further treatment once the condition goes away.

How is the condition monitored?

A person with skin breakdown needs to watch for infection until the skin heals over. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.

Author:Adam Brochert, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Slon, Stephanie, BA
Edit Date:07/19/00
Reviewer:Melissa Sanders, PharmD
Date Reviewed:07/24/01

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