Dermatitis and Eczema

Question 1

If a patient has atopic eczema, it will be more likely that they will have another atopic condition

True or false?

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Which term describes a non-specific or isolated type of eczema that has sudden onset, failure of oedema to escape and formation of vesicles?

Answer 2

Pompholyx dermatitis

Question 3

Which anti-arrhythmic drug can cause photosensitivity?

Answer 3

Amiodarone

Question 4

What is stasis dermatitis?

Answer 4

Dermatitis caused by poor venous return and due to the resulting increased hydrostatic pressure, extravation of red blood cells occurs

Question 5

What does lichen simplex dermatitis involve?

Answer 5

Spongiotic dermatitis and external trauma

Question 6

What does drug related dermatitis involve?

Answer 6

Spongiotic dermatitis and eosinophils

Question 7

Which types of dermatitis solely involve spongiotic dermatitis?

Answer 7

1. Contact irritant
2. Contact allergic
3. Atopic
4. Photosensitive

Question 8

What is spongiotic dermatitis?

Answer 8

A group of disorders that share intercellular oedema of the epidermis associated with exocytosis of lymphocytes and a papillary dermal perivascular infiltrate

Question 9

What causes crusting around atopic dermatitis?

Answer 9

S. aureus infection

Question 10

Which type of dermatitis is associated with yellow greasy scale most commonly on the head, face and neck region?

Answer 10

Seborrheic dermatitis

Question 11

What are the diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis of eczema?

Answer 11

Itching

Plus 3 of:

1. Age of onset < 2 years
2. Generally dry skin
3. History of flexural rash
4. Personal history of atopy
5. Visible flexural rash

Question 12

Which dermatological condition is very similar to psoriasis, but lacks raised plaques?

Answer 12

Discoid eczema

Question 13

Eczema around the neck and eyes is characteristic in which age group?

Answer 13

Infants

Question 14

All types of dermatitis are spongiotic

True or false?

Answer 14

True

Question 15

How is the acute phase of eczema described?

Answer 15

Papulovesicular erythematous lesions with oedema (due to spongiosis), oozing, scaling and crusting

Question 16

How is the chronic phase of eczema described?

Answer 16

Lichenification, elevated plaques and increased scaling

Question 17

For which reason does weeping occur with severe eczema?

Answer 17

Spongiosis becomes so severe, small vesicles develop and collect into blisters

Question 18

Why do children with eczema exhibit neurocognitive impairment?

Answer 18

Eczema (constant itching) causes lack of sleep and lower cognitive ability during the day

Question 19

What percentage of school children suffer from atopic dermatitis at some stage?

Answer 19

25%

Question 20

What is the pathology of contact allergic dermatitis?

Answer 20

1. Langerhans cells in the epidermis process antigen
2. Antigen is displayed to TH cells in the dermis
3. Sensitised T cell migrate to the lymphatics and then to regional nodes where antigen is amplified

Question 21

What is the first immune cell an allergen will encounter in the epidermis?

Answer 21

Langerhans cell

Question 22

What is the most common cause for contact irritant dermatitis?

Answer 22

Soap and detergent

Other causes include:

1. Garlic
2. Nickel
3. Silver

Question 23

Which term describes the persistence of nuclei in the keratin layer?

Answer 23

Parakeratosis

Question 24

What is the main cause for the development of eczema?

Answer 24

Mutation in the filaggrin gene

Question 25

What is the function of filaggrin?

Answer 25

A component of the skin involved in maintaining the water barrier

Question 26

For which reason does the appearance of eczema change over time?

Answer 26

Scratching and ongoing inflammation

Question 27

Anti-TNF drugs can be used to treat eczema

True or false?

Answer 27

False

However immunosuppressants such as azathioprine and methotrexate can be

Question 28

Which type of eczema is associated with “punched out” skin lesions?

Answer 28

Eczema herpeticum