Definition
The scales are accumulations of corneum epithelium (superficial skin cells that are being eliminated). Their presence indicates an increased cell proliferation in the skin, due to alterations in the keratinization process (from which, normally, a thin and compact stratum corneum originates).
The appearance of scales can be found in the course of pityriasis rosea, seborrheic dermatitis and fungal infections of the skin, as in the case of dermatophytosis and pityriasis versicolor (or tinea versicolor). The localized peeling at the level of an erythematous plaque is typical of psoriasis. Areas of skin with scales can also be found in the presence of ichthyosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, lichen planus or chronic dermatitis of any origin.
The scales differ according to the conformation (small, thin, stratified, lamellar, large or thick). Their color varies from gray-opalescent to yellow-brown.
Possible Causes * of Scales on the skin
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Reactive arthritis
- Squamo-cell carcinoma
- Actinic keratosis
- Dermatitis
- Atopic dermatitis
- Diaper dermatitis
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Dermatophytosis
- dyshidrosis
- Verruciform Epidermodysplasia
- erythrasma
- Intertrigo
- Ichthyosis
- Lichen planus
- Lichen Simplex
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Kawasaki disease
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Bowen's disease
- Pellagra
- Athlete's foot
- Pityriasis alba
- Pityriasis rosea
- Psoriasis
- Scabies
- Reiter syndrome
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Tinea capitis
- Tinea versicolor
- Burns
