What do we call dead cells that form over a wound or blemish while it is healing?

When a wound or blemish is healing, dead cells form on the surface as part of the natural healing process. This layer of dead cells is referred to as a crust. The formation of crusts is a protective mechanism that allows the skin to heal beneath this layer, preventing bacteria from entering the wound and aiding in the overall recovery process.

Dyschromias are changes in skin pigmentation and do not relate to the healing of wounds. A cyst is a closed sac-like structure that can contain fluid or semisolid material but is not associated with the surface healing of a wound. Excoriation refers to the act of scratching or damaging the skin, which is not the same as the natural protective crust that forms over a healing area. Therefore, the term for the dead cells that develop over a wound or blemish during the healing process is indeed crust.