Medical Health Encyclopedia

Vesicles

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Bullous pemphigoid, close-up of tense blisters Chigger bite - close-up of blisters Hand, foot, and mouth disease on the soles Herpes simplex - close-up Herpes zoster (shingles) - close-up of lesion Poison ivy on the knee Poison ivy on the leg Vesicles

Overview Treatment

Vesicles

Definition:

A vesicle is a small fluid-filled blister ranging in size from a pinpoint to 5 or 10 millimeters in diameter. As a rule, the term vesicle is used to describe a small blister, while the term bulla is used to describe a larger blister.

Alternative Names:
Blisters

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Considerations:

When diagnosing rashes, your physician must first determine what types of lesions appear within the eruption. Rashes may be formed from macules, patches, papules, plaques, nodules, pustules, bullae, or vesicles. Based upon the type of lesion within your rash, the history of your rash, and the location of your rash, your doctor will be able to arrive at possible causes.

In many cases, vesicles break easily and release their fluid onto the skin. When this fluid dries, yellow crusts may remain on the skin surface. Be sure to let your physician know if vesicles were present before you arrived at the office.

Common Causes:

Many diseases may present with vesicles. Some common examples include:

• Infections
  • Chicken pox
  • Herpes simplex (cold sores, genital herpes)
  • Herpes zoster (shingles)
  • Impetigo
• Contact dermatitis
  • Poison ivy
• Inflammatory skin diseases
  • Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Drug reactions
• Blistering skin diseases
  • Porphyria cutanea tarda
  • Dermatitis herpetiformis

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