Allergies; Photodermatology; Skin Immunology; Photocarcinogenesis Flashcards
(128 cards)
What is the normal cutaneous photosensitivity scale
Fitzpatrick Sun-reactive skin prototypes (SPT I-IV)
Common “sparing” site in photosensitivity?
Behind the ears.
Porphyrias
- general description
A group of diseases in which PORPHYRINS build up, affecting the skin and the nervous system
Main groups of Porphyrias
a) Phototoxic skin porphyria - pain and burning (prickly and burny)
b) Blistering and fragility skin porphyria
c) Acute attack porphyria (some with no skin involvement; some causing blistering and fragility)
d) Severe congenital porphyria
Example of a photo toxic skin porphyria?
Erythropoietic protoporphyria
also can be congenital
Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) Type 1
Presentation.
Blistering Skin fragility Erosions Milia (firm nodules, not as hard as calcium) "Tight" skin
Hyperpigmentation
Hypertrichosis
Solar urticaria
Morphoea
Porphyria cutanea tarda
Investigations
Woods lamp//
Pink fluorescence of urine if patient has PCT (420nm)
Spectrophotometer
Different porphyrias have different…
Wavelengths
Porphyria cutanea tarda//
Underlying causes
Alcohol
Viral hepatitis
Oestrogens
Haemochromatosis
Porphyria cutanea tarda//
Management
Aims of treatment
- relieve the skin disease
- treat underlying skin disease
- reduce risk of liver cirrhosis
- hepatoma
Erythropoietic protoporphyria
Deficiency in the Ferrochelatase enzyme
leads to abnormal increase in protoporphyrin (used in formation of haemoglobin and myoglobin)
Acute photoallergy (i think)
626-639nm or so
Erythropoietic protoporphyria//
Investigations
- Quantitative RBC porphyrins
Fluorocytes
Transaminases
Haemoglobin conc.
Biliary tract USS
Phototesting
Erythropoietic protoporphyria
Management
Explain diagnosis
Genetic counselling
6 monthly LFTs & RBC porphyrins
Prophylactic TL-01 phototherapy
Anti-oxidants - beta carotene, cysteine, high does vit C
avoid IRON
VISIBLE light photo protection measures
What kind of light do sufferers of Erythropoietic protoporphyria need to be careful of?
VISIBLE light
Photoprotection measures
- Behavioural (avoid middle of day sunlight)
- Clothing (DARK CLOTHING)
- Environmental (shade trees, window films)
- Topical sunscreen
(titanium oxide and zinc oxide cream)
What should you avoid in Erythropoietic protoporphyria?
Iron
Liver cirrhosis/ Liver failure related Erythropoietic protoporphyria
Management
Oral charcoal
Cholestyramine
ALA synthase inhibition?/
Transplant liver, bone marrow
Acute intermittent porphyria
Deficiency of porphobilinogen deaminase, affecting the production of heme.
consider in diagnosis //
Acute abdomen
Mononeuritis multiplex
Guillain-Barré syndrome
Psychoses
Hypersensitivity
Immune response that causes collateral damage to self
Exaggeration of normal immune mechanisms
Allergy
Hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system
Allergic reactions occur when a person’s immune system reacts to normally harmless substances in the environment
Type 1 Allergy
What is it
Routes of exposure
IMMEDIATE reaction - occurs within minutes and up to 2 hours after exposure to allergen
Routes: Skin contact, inhalation, ingestion, injection
Clinical presentation of Type 1 allergy
Urticaria//
very itchy (hives, wheels, nettle rash)
Angioedema// localised swelling of subcut tissue or mucous membranes
Non pitting oedema
Not itchy (unless associated with urticaria)
Wheezing/asthma
- resp function significantly reduced.
ANAPHYLAXIS
Clinical presentation
Compromised airways (pharyngeal or laryngeal oedema)
Breathing difficulty - bronchospasm w/tachypnoea
Hypotension
Tachycardia
Skin and mucosal changes
Type 1 Allergy Investigations
Hx
Specific IgE (RAST)
Skin prick or prick prick testing
Challenge test
Serum mast cell TRYPTASE level (during anaphylaxis)