Classification of skin lesions | Skin changes

Classification of skin lesions

In the following you will find a list of the most common skin changes divided into

  • Skin changes with age
  • Benign changes of the skin
  • Skin changes at different localizations
  • Skin changes in diabetes
  • Skin changes after chemotherapy

Changes in the skin with age

With advancing age, the skin undergoes many remodelling processes. Already with the age of 30 the skin starts to age noticeably. Depending on the environmental influences to which the skin is exposed, the aging process progresses faster or slower.

Accelerated skin aging is caused by nicotine consumption, increased exposure to UV light, frequent contact with chemicals and stress.These external factors in combination with internal factors, such as a slowed metabolism in old age and a decreasing regenerative capacity, cause the skin to age. You will find detailed information under: Skin agingThe water content of the skin decreases with the aging process. The skin becomes dry and less tense.

The fact that the fat directly under the skin also becomes less causes wrinkles to form. The skin becomes thinner, less elastic and also less supplied with blood. As a result, wounds heal less well than in younger people.

In addition, the structure of the glands in the skin area changes. Sweating performance and sebum production decrease. This also leads to a reduced resistance of the skin.

It becomes more susceptible to cracks, injuries and irritations. Age spots appear mainly on the face, forearms and the backs of the hands, and thus in places that are particularly exposed to UV radiation. They are smaller, light brown, sharply defined skin discolorations caused by the accumulation of so-called age pigment (lipofuscin).

This pigment is formed when exposed to UV light and is normally removed by the cells of the skin. With age, this mechanism is only partially functional, so that the age pigment remains in the skin and causes the typical spots. These are harmless, but should nevertheless be examined by a doctor if they are suspected, as they can easily be mistaken for a malignant skin change (lentigo maligna).

You can find detailed information here: Age spots – where do they come from and what helps?age warts, or in technical language also seborrhoeic keratoses, are the most common benign skin tumors. They form preferentially on the back, arms and back of the hand. Their appearance varies greatly.

Some age warts are light brown, others almost black. Mostly they do not get bigger than 1 cm. They are sharply defined and usually grow raised, i.e. they extend beyond the normal skin level.

Age warts do not need to be removed. If necessary, e.g. if the nipple is located in unpleasant places, it can be removed with a laser or a sharp spoon. In some cases, age nipples can be confused with malignant skin changes. Since malignant skin diseases also occur more frequently in old age, all skin changes should first be examined by a doctor.