What is the main characteristic of secondary lesions?

The main characteristic of secondary lesions is that they develop from primary lesions. In skin pathology, primary lesions are the initial alterations that occur due to a disease process, such as a rash or tumor. Secondary lesions, on the other hand, arise as a consequence of the changes in these primary lesions, often due to processes like infection, scratching, or changes in the skin's condition.

For example, a scratch or an ulcer may develop from a primary lesion like a rash or blister. Understanding this distinction is pivotal in clinical assessment, as it can guide appropriate treatment and management strategies for skin conditions. This development relationship highlights the progression and evolution of dermatological issues, demonstrating how one type of lesion can lead to another as the skin responds to various stimuli or healing processes.

Other attributes, such as being infectious, being present at birth, or not healing, do not define secondary lesions, reinforcing the concept that secondary lesions specifically originate from existing primary lesions.