Palpable skin lesions. Mucous membrane peculiarities.
PAPULES - A papule is a small solid elevation of skin, less than 0.5 cm in diameter. A papule can have distinct or indistinct borders. It can appear in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Sometimes, papules cluster together to form a rash. Papules may open when scratched and become infected and crusty. They have different Surface contour (e.g. dome-shaped, umbilicated, spire-like etc) Papules can be seen in almost any skin disease or condition that causes small bumps to appear on your skin. Some examples may be:
- WARTS - which are bumps on the skin caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)
- contact dermatitis - which is caused when certain materials touch the skin and create an irritation or allergic reaction
- seborrheic keratosis - a condition in which skin growths develop a rough, wart-like appearance)
- actinic keratosis - which is commonly known as sun spots
- keratosis pilaris - a condition in which patches of rough bumps sometimes referred to as “chicken skin” develop
- eczema - which is also known as atopic dermatitis
- lichen planus - a skin disease which classically forms polygonal, purple papules.
Avoiding materials that irritate your skin can help clear the papules. Some additional treatment steps include:
- Don’t scrub your skin during cleaning.
- Use warm water — not hot water — and gentle soaps when washing.
- Don’t put makeup or perfumed lotions on the affected area.
- Discontinue use of any new makeup or lotion to see if it’s the cause.
- Let the affected area get as much air as possible.
PLAQUES - A plaque is an elevated area of skin greater than 2 cm in diameter but without substantial depth. A skin plaque is broader than it is height. Plaques may result from a coalescence of papules. Most plaques are elevated, but a plaque can also be a thickened area without being visibly raised above the skin surface. They may have well-defined or ill-defined borders. Plaques may be:
- Annular (ring-shaped)
- Arcuate (half-moon)
- Polygonal (varied non-geometric shape)
- Polymorphic (varied shape)
- Serpiginous (in the shape of a snake)
- Poikilodermatous (variegated appearance, usually mixed pallor, telangiectasia and pigmentation)
Plaques can appear anywhere on the body, but they appear most often on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back. Symptoms associated with plaques related to any condition:
- Itching and burning
- Soreness (often a deep, nonspecific achy feeling)
- Swelling and stiffness on joints where plaques are located
Associated conditions are:
- LICHEN RUBER PLANUS