Skin vesicle

What it means

A circumscribed, fluid-containing, epidermal elevation less than 10mm in diameter at the widest point that (i) Contain serous exudates or serum mixed with blood or pus; (ii) Are discrete, grouped, irregularly distributed, or linear as in Rhus dermatitis; (iii) Are short-lived. Vesicles may break spontaneously or evolve into bullae by enlarging or coalescing with other vesicles.

Vesicles should be distinguished from bullae, which are are blisters that are greater than one cm in diameter containing serous or seropurulent fluid. Puss-filled vesicles are termed pustules.

Rare diseases that can present with this25

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category