Lesion

With the term Lesion In medicine, all types of skin changes and skin damage are usually referred to. The same or similar lesions can have different causes and require e.g. In some cases, a thorough diagnosis in order to address the causes or at least the symptoms with targeted treatment. The treatments required range from simple measures to aid the healing process to surgery to remove cancerous sores.

What is a lesion?

Skin lesions - also known as skin changes - have very different forms of appearance, starting with small red spots or blisters through flat skin changes, etc.

The word lesion is derived from the Latin "laesio", which simply means "injury". In principle, any type of injury, damage or change in tissue can be referred to as a lesion in medicine. Usually the term is limited to damage or injury to the skin.

Skin lesions - also known as skin changes - have very different forms of appearance, starting with small red spots or blisters over extensive skin changes and discoloration to deep-reaching ulcers or tumors (skin cancer). Frostbite or burns from direct exposure to cold or heat are also among the skin lesions.

The main visible symptoms of a skin lesion are:

• Skin redness (erythema), skin discoloration, ring-shaped skin changes
• Blisters or blisters (with and without pus formation)
• Pustules, pimples, crusts, bumps, scabs, etc.
• Very itchy wheals (e.g. in the form of urticaria)
• Acne, plaques (e.g. psoriasis, psoriasis)
• Ulcers, boils, carbuncles, oriental bumps (skin leishmaniasis, cutaneous leishmaniasis)

It should be noted that apparently the same skin lesions can have different causes with different courses.

causes

The causes of a skin lesion or skin change can be injury or illness-related. Apart from cuts and bruises, which will not be explained further here, frostbite, burns, scalds, sunburn and radioactive radiation (actinic lesion) are also among the lesions caused by mechanical-physical influences.

In the case of psoriasis or psoriasis, genetic disposition, allergies and possibly psychological stressors can also play a role as triggering factors.

A major and relatively common cause of skin lesions or skin changes is our own immune system. The immune system can overreact to chemical-physical stimuli such as heat, cold or the effects of light (e.g. sunlight) or to certain food components. The overreaction of the immune system can trigger a more or less severe hives (urticaria).

While the symptoms of acne are caused by hormone-related inflammation of the sebum, a boil is caused by an inflammation of the hair follicle.

Localized skin changes that are caused by stinging or biting insects can be uncomfortable itchy, but are usually harmless, unless the insect has pathogens in its luggage that can lead to dangerous diseases such as malaria, borreliosis or early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE). being able to lead.

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➔ Medicines against skin redness and eczema

Diseases with this symptom

• Hives
• psoriasis
• allergy
• sunburn
• Cut
• leukemia

• Hair follicle inflammation
• malaria
• Lyme disease
• TBE
• combustion
• Skin cancer

• Duodenal ulcer
• AIDS
• Autoimmune disease
• Gastric ulcer
• Frostbite
• Bruises

Diagnosis & course

The symptoms of frostbite, burns, scalds, sunburn and also radioactive radiation (actinic lesion) range from simple reddening of the skin to blistering (burn blisters). The typical burn blisters occur when the upper layers of skin become detached from the underlying dermis due to the effects of heat or cold and the space between them fills with sterile tissue fluid. Blisters as a result of frostbite or burns can be recognized by their slightly yellowish color. Depending on the severity, burn blisters can heal without scarring if there is no infection.

Hives or urticaria are initially noticeable as small red spots on the skin that quickly develop into itchy bumps - similar to mosquito bites. Soon the bumps expand into small to large wheals. They are formed by edema-like deposits of tissue fluid directly above the dermis and caused by an increased release of the messenger substance histamine. In some cases, the hives can go away on their own once the trigger factor has been identified and removed.

Complications

Since the lesion is a collective term for all types of abnormal anatomical structural changes, there are also many complications in this regard. The structural changes relate to injuries, inflammations, ulcers and other pathological processes in the body. Simple lesions usually heal quickly. However, when underlying physical processes that lead to chronic inflammation, massive tissue death can occur.

Autoimmune diseases, for example, cause lesions in certain organs until they are completely destroyed. The immune system is directed against the body's own tissue. The lesions also include ulcers of the stomach or duodenum. In severe cases, gastric perforation can occur.

Furthermore, superficial wounds or lesions are entry points for various pathogens. In extreme cases, sepsis (blood poisoning) can occur. Small wounds or insect bites can also be the starting point for serious infectious diseases or allergic diseases. A tick bite can transmit Lyme disease and a bee sting could possibly trigger an anaphylactic shock.

If the lesion is degenerate cancer cells, this forms the starting point for the spread of tumor cells in the body with the formation of metastases. Internal injuries are also among the lesions. This can lead to bleeding, which can lead to death. Cerebral haemorrhage and hemorrhagic stroke represent a particular complication of a lesion. Furthermore, all infarcts belong to the lesions.

When should you go to the doctor?

Since a lesion is a very general term, it is difficult to tell when to see an appropriate doctor. In the event of injuries that cause long-lasting pain, a doctor should definitely be consulted. Even if the symptoms persist over a longer period of time, it is important to seek the help of a doctor. The most common type of lesion is a hematoma. A so-called bruise is caused by strong external pressure.

As a rule, this clinical picture does not need to be treated by a doctor, as a bruise will go away completely on its own. In some cases, however, the help of a doctor must be sought. This is because an abscess can also form. During this process, pus fluid collects in a cavity. There is also internal pressure so that the bacteria and viruses can get into the bloodstream.

To avoid blood poisoning, see a doctor as soon as possible. Of course, this is just one of many other symptoms. People affected by a lesion should be able to assess for themselves when a visit to the doctor is appropriate. If there is an injury to the body that can only be healed by medical treatment, an appropriate doctor should be consulted at an early stage.

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Treatment & Therapy

Burn blisters should never be opened because of the acute risk of infection. As a first measure, cooling with cold water or with cold compresses for pain relief is recommended. Under no circumstances should cold compresses from the freezer be applied, as this can further damage the skin tissue through frostbite! In addition to the use of cooling aloe vera creams, the intake of acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. Aspirin®) is recommended because it inhibits inflammatory messenger substances. If necessary, doctors usually prescribe anti-inflammatory ointments containing cortisone.

Even in the case of persistent hives, the doctor usually prescribes treatment with antihistamines to inhibit the increased release of histamines and cortisone-containing preparations to contain inflammation.

Skin lesions caused by acne, boils, or ulcers are usually treatable with vasodilator ointments and antibiotics. Therapy, which may include minor surgery (cutting open the focus of inflammation), usually leaves no visible scars.

For the treatment of stubborn and difficult to treat psoriasis, consideration should also be given to systemically acting measures such as B. Consider changing your diet and learning mental relaxation techniques.

Outlook & forecast

As a rule, the further course of a lesion strongly depends on its causes, which is why a general prediction is not possible. In most cases, the complications are very different, although there is not necessarily severe discomfort in every case. However, a lesion often causes pain or bruises. These can restrict the everyday life of the person affected and reduce the quality of life. Under certain circumstances, mobility is then restricted so that the patient has to rely on the help of other people.

In some cases, entire organs or extremities are affected, which can also lead to death. If the lesion occurs in the brain, it can lead to a reduction in mental abilities, such as a word-finding disorder or a language disorder. In many cases, lesions in the brain are irreversible, so that the symptoms can only be treated to a limited extent.

If the pain is unbearable, surgery or treatment by a doctor is usually necessary. In many cases, anti-inflammatory agents must also be used to avoid consequential damage.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines against skin redness and eczema

prevention

Home remedies ↵ for skin redness As a preventive protective measure to avoid skin damage from dangerous sunburns, professional sun protection is of particular importance. In addition to using effective sun creams, the best protection is to avoid direct sunlight during the midday hours or to carefully accustom the skin to direct sunlight in short and then longer intervals.

With the other categories of skin lesions such as autoimmune reactions, infections and hormone-related reactions (acne), it is difficult to take simple preventive measures to prevent such symptoms. In the case of known allergies, the best protection against hives is of course to avoid contact with the allergenic substances.

You can do that yourself

In the case of a lesion, the first thing to do is to remain calm and to protect the body. This makes everyday life easier and improves the chances of medical success. Overloading of any kind should therefore be avoided. In general, it is helpful to develop an increased body awareness. For this purpose, those affected should pay attention to the signals from their own body and align their daily actions accordingly. The pain is usually intensified when a movement that contradicts the injury has been carried out. It is therefore important to avoid these and similar painful processes.

In addition, it can be helpful to improve your own body's ability to heal wounds. Some herbal supplements are available for this. It also makes sense to stop or reduce unhealthy behavior such as smoking, lack of sleep or high alcohol consumption. This can reduce the stress level of the body, which accelerates wound healing. The intake of wound healing preparations cannot replace medical treatment, but only as an accompanying supportive measure. If there is no improvement after a period of rest and rest, a visit to the doctor is essential.