Dermatosis

What is Dermatosis?

Dermatosis is a word that relates to integumentary system illnesses. This category contains everything on the body's surface, such as skin, nails, and hair. Dermatosis refers to any disorder that affects the skin. This excludes skin conditions characterized by inflammation (that would be dermatitis). Your skin is your body's biggest organ. Thousands of disorders have been reported that can affect the skin, hair, and nails.

The epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue are the three layers of skin. A dermatosis can affect any or all of these skin layers. Skin dermatosis may be described using the following terms:

• Rash: a general term of red, elevated skin problems
• Lesion: a discolored patch of skin
• Macule: a change in skin color or consistency
• Papule: a skin lump less than 1 cm in diameter
• Nodule: a skin lump greater than 1 cm in diameter
• Plaque: a broad damaged region of skin with definite boundaries that may flake or peel
• Vesicles and bullae: elevated lumps packed with fluid
• Lichenification: a thick skin discoloration, such as lichen on a tree
• Pustules: a pus-filled lump, potentially caused by infection