Conditions/Diseases

Question 1

What is Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB)

“Touch me not” ?

Answer 1

An inherited condition that results in skin being extremely fragile, blistering, and peeling

Question 2

What causes Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB)

Answer 2

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa

*Inability of the stratum basale to anchor to the basement membrane

Question 3

What is Lamellar ichthyosis?

Answer 3

An autosomal recessive disorder that is present from birth that results in the scaling of the skin

Question 4

What causes lamellar ichthyosis?

Answer 4

Inability to form a cell envelope which is needed for the intercellular lipid layers to adhere to, resulting in a defective barrier and scale-like skin

Question 5

What is a nevus?

Answer 5

A mole

Question 6

What causes a nevus?

Answer 6

Harmless localized overgrowth of melanocytes.

*Rarely malignant but should be monitored for changes

Question 7

What are freckles?

Answer 7

Yellow or brown spots

*Degree of pigmentation based on sun exposure and heredity

Question 8

What causes freckles?

Answer 8

Localized areas of increased melanocyte activity

Question 9

What is albinism?

Answer 9

An inherited autosomal recessive condition

*No cure

Question 10

What causes albinism?

Answer 10

The enzyme responsible for melanin production is nonfunctional, causing melanocytes to be unable to produce melanin

*Individuals will have white hair and skin, and pink irises

Question 11

What is vitiligo?

Answer 11

An autoimmune disorder causing a loss of skin color

*No cure

Question 12

What causes vitiligo?

Answer 12

Immune cells attack melanocytes

Question 13

What is erythema?

Answer 13

Excessive, abnormal redness of the skin

Question 14

What causes erythema?

Answer 14

Vasodilation

Inflammation, infection, excessive heat, or allergic reactions

Question 15

What is pallor?

Answer 15

Abnormal paling of the skin

Question 16

What causes pallor?

Answer 16

Vasoconstriction

Shock, anemia

Question 17

What is cyanosis?

Answer 17

A bluish skin tint

*Most apparent in lips, fingers, toes, and beneath nails

Question 18

What causes cyanosis?

Answer 18

Severe reduction in blood flow due to extreme cold or lack of oxygen

Question 19

What is jaundice?

Answer 19

Yellow coloration of the skin and whites of the eyes

Question 20

What causes jaundice?

Answer 20

A buildup of bilirubin (bile) produced by the liver

*Usually indicates a diseased liver

Question 21

What is Addison’s disease?

Answer 21

An autoimmune disease that causes darkening of the skin

Question 22

What causes Addison’s disease?

Answer 22

The immune system attacks the adrenal glands and destroys the adrenal cortex, preventing steroid hormones from being produced

Question 23

What are basal cell carcinomas?

Answer 23

The most common and least dangerous type of skin cancer

Question 24

Where do basal cell carcinomas occur?

Answer 24

Originates in stratum basale

Usually occurs on face

Question 25

What do basal cell carcinomas look like?

Answer 25

Small, shiny elevations that enlarge and develop central depressions with pearly edges

Question 26

How are basal cell carcinomas treated?

Answer 26

Surgical removal of lesion

Question 27

What are squamous cell carcinomas?

Answer 27

Skin cancer that may metastasize to other body parts

Question 28

Where do squamous cell carcinomas occur?

Answer 28

Originates from keratinocytes of stratum spinosum Occurs on scalp, ears, lower lip, dorsum of hand

Question 29

What do squamous cell carcinomas look like?

Answer 29

Early lesions are raised, red, scaly Later lesions form concave ulcers with elevated edges

Question 30

How are squamous cell carcinomas treated?

Answer 30

Early detection and surgical removal of lesion

Question 31

What are malignant melanomas?

Answer 31

The most deadly type of skin cancer due to aggressive growth and metastasis *People who have had severe sunburns are at increased risk

Question 32

Where do malignant melanomas occur?

Answer 32

Originate from melanocytes Usually occur in a preexisting mole

Question 33

What do malignant melanomas look like?

Answer 33

Change in mole color, diameter, shape of border, and symmetry

Question 34

How are malignant melanomas treated?

Answer 34

Chemotherapy, interferon therapy, radiation therapy, surgical removal of lesion *Survival rate improved by early detection

Question 35

What does the ABCDE rule for malignant melanomas entail?

Answer 35

A- asymmetry B- border (blurred or raged edges) C- color (shades of black, brown, blue, red, white) D- diameter (6mm or larger) E- evolving (change in size, shape, color, symptoms)

Question 36

What are striae?

Answer 36

Stretch marks in the skin

Question 37

What causes striae?

Answer 37

Thickened scar tissue resulting from excessive stretching of the skin after pregnancy or weight gain

Question 38

What is dermatitis?

Answer 38

Inflammation of the skin characterized by itch or pain

Question 39

What causes dermatitis?

Answer 39

Infection, radiation, mechanical irritation, or chemicals

Question 40

What is reduced skin elasticity (seen as sagging and wrinkles) caused by?

Answer 40

Dehydration, age, hormonal changes, UV exposure

Question 41

What are decubitis ulcers?

Answer 41

Bedsores

Question 42

What causes decubitis ulcers?

Answer 42

Continuous pressure on the skin compresses the blood vessels, restricting dermal circulation

Question 43

What is hypertrichosis “werewolf syndrome” ?

Answer 43

The overgrowth of hair that can be isolated or widespread

Question 44

What causes hypertrichosis?

Answer 44

Idiopathic, may be inherited or a spontaneous mutation

Question 45

What are ingrown hairs?

Answer 45

A common condition that occurs when a shaved or tweezed hair grows back into the skin, causing inflammation, pain, and tiny bumps

Question 46

What is acne?

Answer 46

Plugged sebaceous duct and hair follicle

Question 47

What causes acne?

Answer 47

Increased activity of sebaceous gland secretions that block pores *Typically begins during puberty

Question 48

What treatments are available for acne?

Answer 48

Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, antibiotics, vitamin A *Can result in scarring if untreated

Question 49

What are ingrown toenails?

Answer 49

A common condition when the lateral nail folds grow over the edges of the nail, or when the nail grows into the skin

Question 50

What is a furuncle?

Answer 50

Skin infection involving an entire hair follicle and nearby skin tissue (boil)

Question 51

What is a carbuncle?

Answer 51

Skin infection involving a group of hair follicles resulting in clusters of pus-filled boils

Question 52

What is ringworm?

Answer 52

A highly contagious fungal skin infection

Question 53

What is a cutaneous horn?

Answer 53

Hard nail-like keratin on the skin *Unknown cause

Question 54

What is onycholysis?

Answer 54

Spontaneous separation of the nail body and free edge from the nail bed

Question 55

What is impetigo?

Answer 55

An infection on the skin surface caused by staph/strep bacteria

Question 56

What is psoriasis?

Answer 56

An autoimmune disorder that results in a high rate of mitotic division of keratinocytes, resulting in abnormal accumulation of dead cells

Question 57

What is eczema?

Answer 57

A group of inflammatory skin conditions that cause the skin to become itchy and develop a rash