New to dermatology?

Start with what you see. Then learn what it means.

Learn the language. Train your eye. Build the differential. Prepare for clinic.

A calm, morphology-first path for medical students and early clinical learners. No dermatology background required.

Start the 5-minute path See the full learning map

Choose your start

What do you need today?

Choose one. You can switch paths at any time.

I'm brand newTeach me the language

Start with one quick win and a repeatable sequence.

My rotation is soonHelp me sound organized

Build a concise morphology-first presentation.

I know the basicsExpose my gaps

Retrieve the sequence and compare your reasoning.

I'm refreshingGive me the framework

Review common errors, nuance, and uncertainty.

Quick mode · 5 minutes

First win: papule or plaque?

ASmall and discrete

BBroader and flat-topped

The DermPrep method

Use the same order until it becomes automatic.

1
Where?Location and distribution“On the…” “Symmetric…” “Localized…”
2
What?Primary lesion“There are papules / plaques…”
3
How many / how big?Number and measured size“Multiple, 4–6 mm…”
4
What color?The hue actually visible“Pink-brown…”
5
What pattern?Configuration“Annular…” “Grouped…” “Linear…”
6
What surface / change?Scale, crust, erosion, or other change“With overlying scale…”

Only have five minutes?

You are done. Your next best action is Derm Foundations → Primary lesions.

Learn primary lesions →

Core mode · 20–25 minutes

Build a defensible description.

A disease name is a conclusion. Morphology is evidence. State what is visible or palpable first, then what those findings suggest.

Weak

“The patient has psoriasis.”

Stronger

“There are multiple, symmetric, sharply demarcated plaques with overlying scale on extensor surfaces; psoriasis is a leading consideration.”

Sentence builder

Build one complete description.

Select one phrase in each field, then build and edit the sentence.

Location / distributionPrimary lesionNumber / sizeColorConfigurationSurface / change

Model description

Choose the features, then build your sentence.

What changes your mind?

Choose the discriminating clue.

Select a clue to see why it matters.

Say it like this

Translate observation into clinic language.

“On the bilateral extensor forearms, there are multiple, symmetric, grouped 4–6 mm pink-brown papules with fine scale. I would next clarify the timeline, symptoms, exposures, medications, and whether similar findings involve other sites.”

Patient-friendly

“I see several small, raised spots with a fine surface scale on both forearms. I’d like to ask a few questions and examine other areas before discussing possible causes.”

Student presentation

Use the attending-ready model above.

Consult-style

Lead with morphology and distribution, then state pertinent context, uncertainty, and your prioritized reasoning.

What would you say?

Your turn.

Avoid predictable traps

Common mistakes and misconceptions.

Diagnosing before describing

State observable evidence before the disease label.

Can another clinician picture it?

“Rash” as the description

Replace it with morphology, distribution, and surface.

What exactly is raised, flat, scaly, crusted, or eroded?

Calling every inflamed lesion “red”

Name the hue actually visible and add texture, warmth, edema, and symptoms when relevant.

What do you see on this skin tone?

Guessing size

Use a ruler or known scale when available.

Measure; do not estimate from memory.

Ignoring sparing

Record normal-appearing or spared sites when they matter.

Where is it not?

Long, unranked differential

Prioritize using morphology and the discriminating clue.

What changes your mind?

Deep dive · Optional

Open only what you need.

Why morphology comes firstFoundation · 4 min

Morphology is a shared language. It makes reasoning inspectable: another clinician can agree, disagree, or ask for the missing clue.

Skin structure → lesion formFoundation · 6 min

Depth changes what a lesion looks and feels like. Connect structure with observable form without overclaiming pathology from appearance alone.

Variation is not a mimicRotation · 5 min

Variation asks how one disease can look different. A mimic asks which different disease can look similar. Keep those questions separate.

Skin tone and visual equityAll levels · 6 min

Use specific color descriptors and compare hue, edema, warmth, scale, texture, and symptoms. Do not treat one skin tone as the default.

Uncertainty languageRotation · 4 min

Say what you know, what you suspect, and what additional information would change your assessment.

Educational safety boundary

Escalate urgent clinical concerns.

This page does not teach independent triage. If a real patient is systemically unwell or has rapidly progressive or painful findings, extensive blistering or detachment, mucosal involvement, concerning purpura, or another urgent concern, escalate promptly to the supervising clinician and local emergency pathway.

This broad list is not exhaustive and remains subject to dermatology and acute-care review.

Retrieval practice

Try one question.

Next best actions

Keep the learning loop moving.

Learn nextDerm Foundations → Primary lesions Practice nextPimp Me → Five morphology questions See nextVisual Diagnosis → Compare what changes Apply nextClinical Cases → Describe before you diagnose

Sources & page information

Nast A, Griffiths CEM, Hay R, Sterry W, Bolognia JL. Revised glossary for the description of cutaneous lesions. Br J Dermatol. 2016;174(6):1351–1358. doi:10.1111/bjd.14419.
International League of Dermatological Societies. Glossary for Dermatology Terms.
American Academy of Dermatology. Basic Dermatology Curriculum. Scope triangulation only; no protected material reproduced.
Stanford Medicine 25. Dermatology physical-examination resources.
W3C. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2.

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