accompanied by fever and prostration. The infection causes pus to be produced and
drain from the furuncles. Carbuncles develop most frequently in males occurring
commonly on the nape of the neck.
(8) Abscess. An abscess is a localized collection of pus, usually caused by
bacterial infection, in tissues, organs, or confined spaces. Abscesses in cutaneous or
subcutaneous skin layers are evident by swelling, tenderness, and redness over the
affected site. The patient may experience fever if the infection is spreading. Usually,
the contents of an abscess must be removed for healing to take place. The abscess
sometimes ruptures spontaneously into adjacent tissue or outside the body.
(9) Telangiectasia. This skin lesion is a small cluster of dilated blood
vessels. Fine, bright red lines or net-like patterns may be seen on the skin. Usually not
elevated, these skin lesions can be found around the nail bed, on the face and trunk.
Telangiectases are common on the face of people who are in the sun and wind a great
deal.
(10) Petechiae. A petechia is a small hemorrhage under the skin. This
lesion appears as a nonraised, purplish-red spot on the skin, nailbeds, or mucous
membranes.
(11) Ecchymosis. This is a ruptured vein commonly called a bruise. It is a
black and blue spot on the skin caused by the escape of blood from injured blood
vessels.
(12) Maceration. Maceration is a softening of solid tissue by soaking. The
tissue turns white and breaks down easily.
(13) Burrow. A burrow is a tunnel or linear train in the epidermal layer of the
skin caused by a parasite. The contagious, parasitic skin disease scabies is a good
example of a parasite burrowing. The skin damage is caused by the female Sarcoptes
scabiei who excavates a burrow in the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis, lays her
eggs and dies. The larvae emerge, moult, and the females are fertilized. The most
common sites in which the parasite enters the skin are between the fingers, the hands,
and the wrists. The infection can persist for months or years if a person is not treated, a
situation which gave rise to the expression "the seven-year itch."
(14) Excoriation. Loss of skin due to scratching is called excoriation. The
implication is that the person has scratched himself, but the scratch mark can also be of
unknown origin.
MD0575
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