What is a Skin Lesion? Why does a skin lesion occur?

What is a skin lesion?

A skin lesion can be defined as abnormal changes or damage to the skin. These changes can be due to a variety of causes and are usually manifested by marked differences in color, texture or structure of the skin. Skin lesions can occur in many different ways:

1. Rashes: This refers to changes in the skin, such as redness, blistering or scaling.

2. Moles: Also known as pigment deposits on the skin, they are benign (harmless) lesions. However, some moles can carry a risk of melanoma, so it is important to have them checked regularly.

3. Warts: These are raised lesions that form on the skin as a result of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

4. Scars: These are scars on the skin after injury, surgery or inflammation.

Causes of skin lesions can include sun damage, infections, genetic factors, allergies, hormonal changes, trauma and some medical conditions. Skin lesions are usually evaluated by a dermatologist and an appropriate treatment plan is determined.

What are the Symptoms of Skin Lesions?

Symptoms of skin lesions usually include symptoms such as color changes, shape changes, size changes, itching or pain, and sometimes bleeding. Color changes may appear as dark spots on the skin, reddish areas or differences in skin tone. Shape changes can be observed as different structural changes, such as wheals, pits, scabs or flaking. Lesions often grow or shrink over time, which may be a sign that the lesion may be benign or cancerous. Some skin lesions may cause itching or pain, and may be prone to bleeding when they become tender. These symptoms are often important to assess the severity of the lesion and determine appropriate treatment.

What Causes Skin Lesions?

Skin lesions can be caused by a number of different factors, and these usually depend on the type of lesion and the person's general state of health. Exposure to sunlight is one of the most common causes of skin lesions. Prolonged sun exposure can lead to pigmentation changes in the skin and increase the risk of developing types of skin cancer, such as melanoma. Among other factors that cause skin lesions, genetic predisposition is important. For example, some people have a tendency to develop more moles, and these moles can increase the risk of melanoma. Infections can also play a role in the formation of skin lesions. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can cause warts, while bacterial infections can cause pimples or abscesses on the skin. Reactions such as allergies or skin irritation can also lead to skin lesions. Hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy or puberty, can be a factor in the formation of skin lesions. Exposure to certain medications or chemicals can also trigger skin lesions. Finally, trauma or injuries can also cause skin lesions and may appear as scars or tissue damage to the skin. In any case, identifying the specific causes of skin lesions helps to determine appropriate treatment and prevention.

Conditions Causing Skin Lesions

There are various conditions that cause skin lesions and these can be the origin of skin abnormalities. These include:

Sun Damage: Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause lesions to develop on the skin. This can lead to serious lesions such as skin cancers.

Genetic predisposition: Some skin lesions can develop due to genetic factors. For example, certain genes may be carried that can increase the risk of melanoma.

Infections: Viral, bacterial or fungal infections can cause skin lesions. For example, HPV infections can lead to warts.

Inflammatory Conditions: Inflammatory skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis can contribute to the formation of skin lesions.

Allergic Reactions: Reactions to allergens that come into contact with the skin can cause redness, itching and lesions.

Hormonal Changes: Conditions such as pregnancy, puberty or hormonal imbalances can affect the formation of skin lesions.

Injuries and Trauma: Injuries, cuts, burns or other traumatic conditions on the skin can lead to the formation of lesions. This may appear as scars or tissue damage to the skin.

The combination of these factors or other obvious causes can contribute to the appearance of different skin lesions. The origin of any skin lesion should be evaluated for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Benign Skin Lesions

Benign skin lesions are abnormal growths on the skin that often cause an aesthetic or unpleasant appearance but usually do not pose a serious health threat. The most common of these lesions are moles. Moles are pigmented lesions caused by the accumulation of melanocyte cells in the skin and are mostly harmless. Dermatofibromas are connective tissue lesions that appear as hard, domed projections on the skin and are usually non-itchy. Sebaceous glands or lipomas are soft masses of fatty tissue under the skin and are usually painless. Fibromas also appear as soft, flesh-like projections on the skin and are usually harmless. Sebaceous cysts are cysts under the skin caused by blocked sebaceous glands and can grow slowly. Warts are also skin lesions and are caused by infection with the HPV virus. These lesions usually do not require treatment, but in some cases they may be removed for aesthetic or discomfort reasons. It is recommended to consult a doctor if any skin lesion changes or becomes a concern.

Malignant Skin Lesions

Malignant skin lesions are abnormal growths that can lead to more serious health problems, such as skin cancer. Such lesions usually grow rapidly and tend to spread to surrounding tissues. Some common malignant skin lesions include

Melanoma: Melanoma is cancer of pigment-producing cells in the skin called melanocytes. These lesions can often develop from existing moles or normal skin. If not diagnosed and treated early, melanoma can lead to serious consequences.

Basal Cell Cancer: Basal cell cancer is the most common type of skin cancer that originates from basal cells in the skin. It is usually slow-growing and rarely spreads, but can damage surrounding tissues if left untreated.

Squamous Cell Cancer: Squamous cell cancer is a type of cancer that originates from squamous cells in the skin. It can be more aggressive and tends to metastasize to lymph nodes or other organs.

Merkel Cell Cancer: Merkel cell cancer is a rare but aggressive type of cancer that originates from Merkel cells in the skin. It usually grows and spreads quickly, so early detection and treatment is important.

Symptoms of these malignant skin lesions can often include enlargement of the lesion, changes in color, irregular edges, bleeding or crusting. It is important that any suspicious skin lesion is quickly evaluated by a dermatologist or health professional.

Skin lesions by disease

According to diseases, skin lesions are abnormal growths that appear on the skin due to various health problems. These lesions can appear as symptoms or signs of a particular disease. For example, inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, can cause lesions on the skin that are characterized by redness, blistering and rashes. Fungal infections, such as dermatomycosis, can result in itchy, red patches or scaling of the skin. Acne can cause lesions on the skin in the form of pimples or blackheads as a result of blocked sebaceous glands. Allergic reactions, such as urticaria, can cause red, swollen bumps or itchy lesions on the skin. Autoimmune diseases, such as psoriasis, can cause lesions on the skin covered with thick, silvery scales. Skin lesions due to these diseases may require specific treatment and management and should usually be evaluated by a dermatologist.