What is a small elevation on the skin that may develop pus but contains no fluid?

A small elevation on the skin that may develop pus but contains no fluid is identified as a papule. Papules are solid bumps that are typically less than 1 centimeter in diameter and are raised above the surrounding skin. While they can be associated with conditions that result in inflammation, such as acne or dermatitis, they do not contain serous fluid like blisters do.

In contrast to papules, a pustule is a small elevation that is filled with pus, and a bulla is a larger blister filled with fluid. Macules are flat, discolored spots on the skin without elevation, making them fundamentally different from the described papule. The characteristics of a papule make it the appropriate choice for identifying a small, raised skin lesion that may be inflamed and could develop pus without containing fluid.