A skin lesion is a superficial growth or patch of the skin that does not resemble the area surrounding it. They may take the form of bumps, blisters, or general sores. While many are benign (such as moles or freckles) some are the result of toxins (such as mosquito bites) or diseases (such as chicken pox or psoriasis) Most dermatoses present with skin lesions of more or less distinct characteristics. Macroscopically, these original lesions are known as the "primary lesion", and identification of such lesions is "...the most important aspect of dermatologic examination." However, these lesions may continue to develop or be modified by regression or trauma, producing "secondary lesions". Additionally, on the microscopic level, these lesions can also be characterized by a distinct set of vocabulary. The lack of standardization of basic dermatologic terminology has been one of the principal barriers to successful communication among physicians in describing skin lesions. For example, in different dermatologic texts, the papule is variously described as no greater than 1 centimetre (0.39 in) in size, less than 0.5 centimetres (0.20 in), smaller than a pea, or ranging in size from a [ - ]

A skin lesion is a superficial growth or patch of the skin that does not resemble the area... [ + ]