What type of lesions are considered primary skin lesions?

Primary skin lesions are directly related to the evolutionary process of the skin and appear as the initial change in the skin's structure or function. Macules and papules fall into this category because they are forms of primary lesions that represent distinct changes in the skin.

A macule is a flat, discolored area of skin that is usually smaller than 1 centimeter, while a papule is a raised, solid lesion that is also typically smaller than 1 centimeter. Both are fundamental changes that occur on the skin's surface without the presence of other lesions or complications. They can indicate various conditions, from benign to pathological, but they are characterized as primary since they are the first visible manifestations of skin disorders.

In contrast, scars and keloids, crusts and scales, as well as ulcers and fissures are considered secondary lesions. Secondary lesions arise from primary lesions either due to healing processes or as a consequence of other conditions, indicating that the skin has gone through further changes or complications. Thus, macules and papules are clearly distinguished as primary lesions, emphasizing their status as the initial form of skin abnormalities.