Skin Cancer and Other Skin Problems

Condition

Light skin

Dark skin

Cyanosis

Grayish blue tone, especially in nail beds, earlobes, lips, mucous membranes, palms, and soles

Ashen or gray color most easily seen in the conjunctiva of the eye, mucous membranes, and nail beds

Ecchymosis

Dark red, purple, yellow, or green color, depending on age of bruise

Purple to brownish black. Difficult to see unless occurring in an area of light pigmentation

Erythema

Reddish tone, possibly accompanied by increased skin temperature secondary to localized inflammation

Deeper brown or purple skin tone with evidence of increased skin temperature secondary to inflammation

Jaundice

Yellowish color of skin, sclera, fingernails, palms, and oral mucosa

Yellowish green color most obviously seen in sclera of eye (do not confuse with yellow eye pigmentation, which may be evident in dark-skinned patients), palms, and soles

Pallor

Pale skin color that may appear white or ashen; also evident on lips, nail beds, and mucous membranes

Lack of underlying red tone in brown or black skin. In light-skinned African Americans, yellowish brown skin. In dark-skinned African Americans, ashen or gray skin

Petechiae

Lesions appearing as small, reddish purple pinpoints, best observed on abdomen and buttocks

Difficult to see. May be evident in the buccal mucosa of the mouth or conjunctiva of the eye

Rash

May be visualized and felt with light palpation

Not easily visualized, but may be felt with light palpation

Scar

Generally heals, showing narrow scar line

Higher incidence of keloid development, resulting in a thickened, raised scar