Primary skin lesions are differences in color or texture that may be present at birth, such as moles or birthmarks, or that may be acquired during a person's lifetime, such as those associated with infectious diseases (warts, acne, or psoriasis), allergic reactions (hives or contact dermatitis), or environmental agents (sunburn, pressure, or temperature extremes).

Primary skin lesions

Macules are a change in skin color, without elevation or depression and, therefore, nonpalpable, well or ill-defined, variously sized but, by convention, less than one centimeter in diameter at the widest point. This lesion is recognizable due to the color difference compared with the surrounding normal skin, and may be white, blue, or red. Macules may be the result of hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, vascular abnormalities, capillary dilatation, or purpura. They can be treated using whitening products.

Patches are a large macule equal to or greater than 1cm in diameter.

Papules are a circumscribed, solid elevation of skin with no visible fluid, they can vary in size from a pinhead to 1cm. They can be brown, purple, pink or red in color. Papules may open when scratched and become infected and crusty. They can be provoked by localized cellular reply to the process of acne, and can be eased with a natural skin treatment.

Plaques are a broad papule, equal to or greater than 1cm. They are formed from psoriasis and granuloma annulare. Creams can reduce the itching of this lesion and are available without a prescription.

Vesicles are a circumscribed, fluid-containing epidermal elevation that can vary from 1 to 10 mm in size. Vesicles are characteristic of herpes infections, acute allergic contact dermatitis, and some autoimmune blistering disorders. They can be reduced with lotions.

Bullae are a rounded or irregularly shaped blister containing serous or seropurulent fluid, greater than 1cm in diameter. Burns, bites, irritant or allergic contact dermatitis, and drug reactions can result in Bullae.

Pustules are a small elevation of the skin containing purulent material commonly consisting of necrotic inflammatory cells. Pustules represent collections of neutrophils. They may arise in some inflammatory diseases including pustular psoriasis. Treatment may involve medications, ultraviolet light A, creams or ointments.

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