MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Vesicles

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Vesicles

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names Definition Considerations Causes	Home Care When to Contact a Medical Professional What to Expect at Your Office Visit References

Illustrations

Bullous pemphigoid, close-up of tense blisters

Chigger bite - close-up of blisters

Hand, foot, and mouth disease on the soles

Herpes simplex - close-up

Herpes zoster (shingles) - close-up of lesion

Poison ivy on the knee

Poison ivy on the leg

Vesicles

Alternative Names Return to top

Blisters

Definition Return to top

A vesicle is a small fluid-filled blister.

See also: Bulla

Considerations Return to top

A vesicle is small -- it may be as tiny as the top of a pin or up to 5 or 10 millimeters wide.

In many cases, vesicles break easily and release their fluid onto the skin. When this fluid dries, yellow crusts may remain on the skin surface.

Causes Return to top

Many diseases and conditions can cause vesicles. Some common examples include:

Allergic reactions to drugs
Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
Blistering skin diseases including porphyria cutanea tarda and dermatitis herpetiformis
Chicken pox
Contact dermatitis (may be caused by poison ivy)
Herpes simplex (cold sores, genital herpes)
Herpes zoster (shingles)
Impetigo

Home Care Return to top

As a general rule, your doctor should examine any skin rashes, including vesicles.

Over-the-counter treatments are available for certain conditions that cause vesicles, including poison ivy and cold sores.

When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top

Call your doctor if you have any unexplained blisters on your skin.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit Return to top

Your doctor will look at your skin. Some vesicules can be diagnosed simply by how they look.

In many cases, however, additional tests are needed. The fluid inside a blister may be sent to a lab for closer examination. In particularly difficult cases, a skin biopsy may be needed to make or confirm a diagnosis.

References Return to top

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004.

Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004.

Update Date: 4/12/2007

Updated by: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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