Pertinent family, personal, past medical history.
Discretion is, of course, paramount.
The importance of effective verbal and written medical communication is nowhere more graphically illustrated than in dermatology. The distinction and categorization of over 2000 cutaneous diseases depends upon the reproducibility of observation. Therefore, precise descriptive dermatologic terms are absolutely indispensable for proper clinical management. The mere recitation of the various terms often helps suggest diagnoses to the well-trained integumentary physician. A primary skin lesions is a physical alteration of the skin considered to be caused directly by the disease process which is characteristic and occasionally specific.