Arizona Esthetics State Board Practice Exam

What term refers to a mechanical abrasion of the epidermis caused by scratching?

1. Exfoliation

2. Excoriation

3. Lesion

4. Ulceration

The correct answer is: Excoriation

The term that refers to a mechanical abrasion of the epidermis caused by scratching is excoriation. This condition typically involves the removal of the top layer of skin, resulting in an open wound that can be painful and susceptible to infection. Excoriation can occur from various activities, including aggressive scratching due to itching, and it often presents as red, raw areas on the skin. Exfoliation, while a term that involves the removal of dead skin cells, typically refers to a more deliberate and gentle process often used in skincare treatments rather than the act of scratching. A lesion is a more general term that denotes any abnormal tissue change, and it encompasses a wide range of skin conditions, but does not specifically refer to the act of abrasion or scratching. Ulceration describes a deeper loss of tissue involving the dermis and sometimes underlying structures, which is more severe than the superficial damage caused by excoriation.