What is excoriation?

Excoriation refers to a skin sore or abrasion that occurs as a result of scratching or scraping the skin. This condition arises when the outer layers of skin are damaged, often leading to redness, irritation, and sometimes even bleeding, depending on the severity of the abrasion. It typically results from various causes, including conditions like eczema, insect bites, or even excessive washing. Understanding this definition is crucial for estheticians, as excoriation can complicate skin treatments and may require special care to avoid further injury or infection.

The other options represent different skin-related issues that do not align with the definition of excoriation. A deep skin infection involves bacteria entering deeper layers of the skin, leading to potential complications, while a type of skin cancer involves abnormal growth of skin cells. Lastly, excess oil on the skin surface pertains to oiliness and is not related to abrasions or the physical condition of the skin resulting from scratching.