Skin Analysis, Disorders, and Diseases
Skin analysis questions ask you to distinguish skin type from skin condition, identify primary and secondary lesions, and recognize contagious or systemic disease that requires referral.
Analysis framework
- Assess oiliness, dryness, sensitivity, dehydration, aging, and Fitzpatrick type. Skin type is largely genetic; condition changes with environment, medication, and habits.
- Primary lesions: macule, papule, pustule, vesicle, bulla, wheal, nodule, tumor, cyst.
- Secondary lesions: scale, crust, fissure, excoriation, ulcer, scar.
- Contagious conditions include impetigo, ringworm or tinea, cold sores, conjunctivitis, scabies, and lice. Do not treat; refer.
- Use ABCDE for pigmented lesions: asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, diameter greater than 6 mm, evolving. Refer.
Worked example
A client has a pearly papule with tiny blood vessels on the nose. Do not extract or exfoliate. Refer to a dermatologist because the description suggests possible basal cell carcinoma. Reasoning: a new, changing, pearly lesion is a medical red flag, not a comedone.
Traps that cost marks
- Calling every red bump acne.
- Treating a cold sore as a pustule.
- Diagnosing disease instead of describing and referring.
- Missing that a skin disease is outside esthetic scope.