Lesion facts for kids
A lesion is any damage or abnormal change in the tissue of a living thing. This damage is usually caused by a disease or an injury. The word lesion comes from the Latin word laesio, which means "injury." Lesions can happen in both plants and animals.
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What is a Lesion?
A lesion is like a spot or area where something is wrong with the body's normal tissue. Think of it as a small area that has been hurt or changed. This change can be on the outside of your body, like a cut or a rash on your skin. It can also be on the inside, affecting organs like your brain, lungs, or bones.
Why Do Lesions Happen?
Lesions can happen for many different reasons. They are often a sign that something is not quite right in the body.
Common Causes of Lesions
- Injuries: Things like cuts, scrapes, burns, or bruises are common types of lesions. If you fall and scrape your knee, that scrape is a lesion.
- Infections: Germs like bacteria, viruses, or fungi can cause lesions. For example, a skin infection might cause a red, swollen area.
- Diseases: Many different diseases can lead to lesions. Some diseases might cause changes in the skin, while others affect internal organs.
- Inflammation: When your body's immune system reacts to something harmful, it can cause inflammation. This swelling and redness can also be a type of lesion.
- Growths: Sometimes, cells can grow abnormally, forming lumps or bumps. These can also be considered lesions.
Where Can Lesions Be Found?
Lesions can appear almost anywhere in the body.
Skin Lesions
These are the easiest to see. They include things like:
- Rashes
- Blisters
- Cuts and scrapes
- Burns
- Insect bites
- Moles or birthmarks that change
Internal Lesions
These are inside the body and cannot be seen from the outside. They might affect:
- Bones: A broken bone is a type of lesion.
- Organs: Diseases can cause lesions in organs like the lungs, liver, or kidneys.
- Brain: Head injuries or certain conditions can cause lesions in the brain.
- Blood Vessels: Damage to blood vessels can also be considered a lesion.
How Doctors Find and Treat Lesions
If you have a lesion, especially one that doesn't heal or causes pain, it's important to see a doctor. They can figure out what kind of lesion it is and what is causing it.
Getting a Diagnosis
Doctors use different ways to find and understand lesions:
- Physical Exam: They will look at and feel the lesion, asking you questions about it.
- Imaging Tests: For internal lesions, doctors might use X-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans. These tests take pictures inside your body.
- Biopsy: Sometimes, a small piece of the lesion might be taken out. This sample is then looked at under a microscope to find out more.
Treatment Options
The way a lesion is treated depends on what caused it and where it is.
- Wound Care: For cuts or scrapes, cleaning the wound and applying bandages helps it heal.
- Medication: If an infection is causing the lesion, doctors might prescribe antibiotics or other medicines.
- Surgery: In some cases, a lesion might need to be removed with surgery.
- Observation: Some harmless lesions might just be watched over time to make sure they don't change.
Understanding lesions helps us know when our bodies need a little extra care or when it's time to ask a doctor for help.
See also
In Spanish: Lesión para niños
