Scales


This is a picture of Athlete's foot (tinea pedis). Tinea is caused by a fungus that grows on the skin, and is referred to as ringworm. Cutaneous (skin) tinea infections are often named by their location such as pedis, meaning foot. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)



Lichen planus - close-up: Lichen planus is an intensely itchy (pruritic) inflammatory lesion of the skin. The lesions are generally violaceous (red-purple), slightly raised bumps (papules) with fine scales. The papules may run together (coalesce) to form a larger raised surface (plaque). This is a condition usually seen in adults, although it can occur in children.



Psoriasis on the back: The severity ranges from mild symptoms to very severe skin disease and associated psoriatic arthritis. The typical skin lesion consists of red (erythematous) patches which run together (coalesce) into larger plaques. Thick silvery scales may develop on top of the plaques. Although this view is of the back, the front of the knee or outside of the elbow (extensor surfaces) are more commonly affected. The scalp, genitalia, and skin around the navel are other frequently-affected sites.



Psoriasis on the scalp: Note the thick build-up of scale on the scalp.



Psoriasis - lesions on the back The shapes of the lesions in psoriasis vary greatly, but typically they all exhibit redness (erythema), inflammation, elevation, and scaling. The scales are often silvery in color. The light color of the scales in the center of these lesions produces the ring-like appearance.



This picture shows a 400% magnification of psoriasis. The whitish scales give the silvery appearance to the typical psoriasis lesion.



This is a picture of Athlete's foot (tinea pedis). "Tinea" infection is caused by a fungus that grows on the skin, and is also referred to as ringworm. Cutaneous (skin) tinea infections are often named by their location such as pedis, meaning foot.



The cause of lichen planus is unknown. It appears as raised, many-sided purple bumps (violaceous polygonal papules) with overlying white lines (Wickham's striae). It commonly involves the wrists (flexor surface), lower back (lumbar region), shins, and ankles. The lesions often itch. Females are more frequently affected than males and the age range is approximately 30 to 60 years of age.



The cause of lichen planus is unknown. It appears as raised, many-sided purple bumps (violaceous polygonal papules) with overlying white lines (Wickham's striae). It commonly involves the wrists (flexor surface), lower back (lumbar region), shins, and ankles. The lesions often itch. Females are more frequently affected than males and the age range is approximately 30 to 60 years of age. This is a less common variant, shown here with scales.