BL L22 Flashcards
(36 cards)
Name five skin conditions
- Ectopic Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Vitiligo
- Alopecia areata
- Acne
Ectopic eczema - desription
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that makes the skin red, dry, itchy, and cracked.
No two people experience eczema in the same way and it can occur any age. It can appear as small or large patches (flare ups) on any area of the body, but usually starts on the face in infants and is often found in skin creases, like the back of the knees and inside of the elbows in children, adolescents and adults alike.
Ectopic eczema - causes
It often develops in connection with other conditions, such as asthma and seasonal allergies: 90% of patients with food allergies plus eczema have their symptoms triggered by milk, egg, peanut, wheat, soy, shrimp, and/or fish. It may also be triggered by soap, detergents and/or stress.
Ectopic eczema - Symptoms
The main symptoms are:
- A dry, itch skin and rash
- May show nail pitting and ridging
In more severe cases, the skin might show signs of: - Inflammation, cracking and bleeding and can be extremely painful.
Location: Most common on the face and extensor aspects of limbs in infants and the flexor aspects in children and adults
The itching can sometimes be so bad that patients want to scratch constantly, even in their sleep. In fact, children with eczema—and their parents—can lose up to 2 hours of sleep each night
Ectopic eczema - Management
Is Eczema contagious? What does it look like?
It is not contagious
What psychological and social aspects are related to eczema?
- Children with allergic eczema have a worse quality of life than children with asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy
- Children with allergic eczema may also miss days of school, skip activities, and feel social isolation
Acne Vulgaris - Description and causes
Acne Vulgaris - Presentation
Acene vulgaris - Management
Acne vulgaris - Complications
Acne vulgaris - what does it look like?
Psoriasis - Discription
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silver-coloured scales. These patches normally appear on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, but can appear anywhere on the body. Most people are affected with small patches and in some case the patches can be itchy or sore.
Psoriasis - What actually happens?
Psoriasis occurs when skin cells are replaced more quickly than usual. In normal individuals, skin cells of the epidermis arise from stem cells at the parabasal level of the skin (the region at the boundary between the epidermis and dermis) and as the cells mature they gradually move up the layers of the epidermis until they reach the outermost layer where they die and flake off; a process that normally takes between 3 to 4 weeks.
In people with psoriasis, this entire process only take between 3 to 7 days. As a result, cells that have not yet fully matured accumulate and the outer layer of keratin, which is relatively thin is lost causing the signs of crusty red patches covered with silvery scales. The cells at the surface are also lost very quickly too as they are ‘rubbed’ off.
Psoriasis - Causes
Common psoriasis triggers include:
- an injury to the skin, such as a cut, scrape, insect bite or sunburn
- drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
- smoking
- stress
- hormonal changes, particularly in women – for example, during puberty and the menopause
- certain medicines – such as lithium, some antimalarial medicines, antiinflammatory medicines including ibuprofen, and ACE inhibitors (used to treat high blood pressure)
- other immune disorders, such as HIV, which cause psoriasis to flare up or appear for the first time
Psoriasis - Presention
Psoriasis - Management
Psoriasis - what does it look like?
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a long-term condition where pale white patches develop on the skin that is caused by the lack of a pigment (melanin) in the skin. Vitiligo can affect any area of skin, but most commonly occurs on the face, neck and hands, and in skin creases.
The pale areas of skin are more vulnerable to sunburn, so it’s important to take extra care when in the sun and use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF).
There are two main types of vitiligo:
- non-segmental vitiligo (with non-segmental vitiligo (also called bilateral or generalised vitiligo), the symptoms often appear on both sides of the body as symmetrical white patches)
- segmental vitiligo (In segmental vitiligo (also known as unilateral or localised vitiligo), the white patches only affect one area of the body.)
In rare cases, it’s possible for vitiligo to affect the whole body. This is known as universal or complete vitiligo.
Pic below shows non-segmental vitiligo
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata, also known as spot baldness, is a condition in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body, most often on the scalp where it results in a few coin sized bald spots and symptoms of psychosocial stress.
In a few patients, all the hair on the scalp (alopecia totalis) or all body hair (alopecia universalis) is lost and loss can be permanent.
Melanoma
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread (metastasise) to other organs in the body. The most common sign of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole. This can occur anywhere on the body, but the most commonly affected areas are the back in men and the legs in women. Melanomas are uncommon in areas that are protected from sun exposure, such as the buttocks and the scalp. In most cases, melanomas have an irregular shape and are more than one colour. The mole may also be larger than normal and can sometimes be itchy or bleed. People at risk are told to look out for a mole that changes progressively in shape, size and/or colour.
What does taking history mean?
- Symptoms - e.g. itching, soreness
- Exacerbating and relieving factors
- Past medical history
- Personal and family of skin disease including atopy • Thorough drug history including timeline and non prescribed treatments
- Social , occupational and travel +/- sexual history
- Psychosocial impact of skin disease
Dermatological examination
- Adequate exposure and good lighting are essential – dermatology is a visual specialty!
- Examination should include hair/scalp, mucous membranes and nails
- Comment on morphology i.e. how individual lesions look and distribution/ sites involved
- Palpate! (feel the region)
- Examine other systems if appropriate e.g. Joints, lymph nodes (e.g. lymph nodes - if suspect cancer)
Dermatological words
