Dermatology

Question 1

What are the hallmarks of psoriasis?

Answer 1

dry, flaky, scale and faintly erythematous skin lesions that appear in raised and rough plaques - commonly over extensor surface of elbows and knees

Question 2

What causes psoriatic plaques?

Answer 2

rapid generation of new skin cells, resulting in abnormal buildup and thickening of the skin in those areas

Question 3

What are the 4 types of psoriasis?

Answer 3

1. plaque psoriasis (most common)
2. guttate psoriasis (common in children, often triggered by strep - papules across trunk and limbs, can turn into plaques over time)
3. pustular psoriasis (rare and severe, treat as medical emergency)
4. erythrodermic psoriasis (rare and severe, treat as medical emergency)

Question 4

What are the 3 specific signs suggestive of psoriasis?

Answer 4

1. auspitz sign
2. koebner phenomenon
3. residual pigmentation (of the skin after lesions resolve)

Question 5

What is Auspitz sign?

Answer 5

small points of bleeding when plaques are scraped off (suggestive of psoriasis)

Question 6

What is Koebner phenomenon?

Answer 6

development of psoriatic lesions to areas of skin affected by trauma (suggestive of psoriasis)

Question 7

What are the treatment options for psoriasis? (5)

Answer 7

• topical steroids
• topical vitamin D analogues (calcipotriol)
• topical dithranol
  -topical calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus)
• phototherapy with narrow band UV B light (esp guttate)