Dermatology Flashcards
(133 cards)
Atopic Dermatitis - Diagnosis
Itchy skin + 3 or more of the following:
Involvement of skin creases or face History of asthma or hay fever History of dry skin Visible flexural eczema Onset < 2 years
Atopic Diathesis
Atopic Dermatitis
Asthma
Allergic Rhinitis
Atopic Dermatitis - Pathogenesis
Disruption of skin barrier, likely due to filaggrin mutation
Secondary infection with Staph aureus often exacerbates inflammation
Patients often show elevated serum IgE and eosinophilia
Atopic Dermatitis - Clinic Presentations by age group
Infants - dry, red, scaly areas confined to cheeks; flushes with cold
Childhood - erythematous papules, redness, scaling, characteristic involvement of flexural skin
Adult - characteristic involvement of eyelids & hands
Atopic Dermatitis - Associated Features
Dry Skin (Xerosis) Ichthyosis vulgaris (plate-like dry skin) Keratosis Pilaris (bumpy skin) Hyperlinearity of the palms
Irritant Contact Dermatitis - Definition
Non-immunologically mediated reaction resulting from direct cytotoxic effect caused by a chemical irritant
Intertrigo
Rashes of the skin folds caused by trapped sweat and exacerbated by friction
Treated with mild topical corticosteroid, i.e. Hydrocortisone
Secondary infection with yeast is common
Allergic Contact Dermatitis - Definition
Type IV, delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to contact allergen; immune response involves presentation of the antigen by Langerhans cells in the skin and development of memory T cells which release inflammatory cytokines TNF-a and IL-1
Diagnosed by patch test
Stasis Dermatitis - Associated Features
Other signs of venous insufficiency of the lower extremitie:
Varicose veins
Chronic lower extremity edema
Venous Stasis Ulcers
Stasis Dermatitis - Clinical Presentation
Dryness
Itching
Lichen Simplex Chronicus
Secondary allergic contact dermatitis due to use of topic agents
Secondary irritant contact dermatitis due to accumulation of purulent material from ulcers
Lichen Simplex Chronicus
Thick, scaly plaques that result from chronic rubbing and scratching
Venous Stasis Ulcers
Primarily found on the medial lower leg just before the ankle; red with yellow, fibrinous base & irregularly shaped borders
Nummular Dermatitis
AKA Discoid Eczema; characterized by red, scaly, crusty patches appearing most often on the legs, sometimes on arms and trunk
Treatment: moisturization & topical corticosteroids
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Flaky, white/yellow, oily scale occurring in areas rich in sebaceous glands (scalp, face, ears, chest)
In children, usually presents on the scalp as “cradle cap”
In adults, often presents as symmetric involvement over the face over medial eyebrows, nasolabial folds, and ears; also presents on the scalp as “Dandruff”
Seborrheic Dermatitis - Pathogenesis
Over-production of skin oil and irritation from Malassezia furfur yeast
Dandruff
Seborrheic Dermatitis of the scalp
Differentiated from psoriasis by more diffuse lesions and finer scale
Psoriasis - Comorbidities
Persistent, low grade, systemic inflammation; risk factor for development of insulin resistance, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease
5-20% of patients will develop psoriatic arthritis
Psoriasis - Clinical Subtypes
Chronic Plaque Disease Guttate Erythroderma Pustular Psoriasis Palmar/Plantar Psoriasis
Treatment for local Psoriasis
Localized Disease: Calcipotriol (Vitamin D3 analog) Corticosteroids Topical Retinoids Phototherapy
Treatment for systemic Psoriasis
Systemic Disease:
Methotrexate
Cyclosporin
Biologics - anti-T lymphocytes, anti-TNF alpha
Atopic Dermatitis - Common Locations
Characteristic involvement of flexural skin:
Antecubital fossa Popliteal Fossa Neck Wrists Ankles
Psoriasis - Common locations
Characteristic involvement of extensor surfaces
Vitamin D synthesis
7-dehydrocholesterol in epidermal keratinocytes can be converted by UVB to Vitamin D3; Vitamin D3 is then converted to 25-hydroxy Vitamin D by the liver; 25-hydroxy Vitamin D is converted in to the kidney to the active form, 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D (Calcitriol)
Melanocytes
Pigment producing cells of the epidermis; protects DNA from UV damage
Located in the basal layer of the epidermis, within hair follicles; found in a 1:10 ratio of melanocytes: keratinocytes
Produce melanin packaged in granules called melanosomes, each melanocyte supplies melanin to 30 nearby keratinocytes