Dermatology Flashcards
What are the components in the structure of normal skin?
- Epidermis - keratinocytes, langerhan cells, melanocytes, Merkel cells (stratum corneum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinous, stratum basale) - protection, appearance and sensation
- Dermis - collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans, immune cells, nerve cells, skin appendages, lymphatics and blood vessels - strength and elasticity
What may pathology in the epidermis cause a change in?
- epidermal turnover
- surface of skin
- pigmentation of skin
What are sebaceous glands?
Glands that produce sebum through the hair follicles - lubricates skin
Active after puberty - stimulated by conversion of androgen to dihydrotestosterone
Increased sebum production in acne vulgaris
What are eccrine and apocrine glands?
They regulate body temperature (sweat glands)
Innervated by the sympathetic nervous system
Eccrine - widespread
Apocrine - active after puberty - in axilla, areolae, genitalia, anus
What hair dermatological pathologies are there?
- Alopecia areata - patchy hair loss
* Androgenic alopecia - male pattern balding
What makes up nails?
Nail plate arises from nail matrix at the posterior nail fold and lies on the nail bed. Nail bed contains blood vessels
What is the ABCD mneumonic for pigmented lesions?
- Asymmetry
- Border - irregular/blurred?
- Colour
- Diameter
What is the SCAM pneumonic for describing a lesion?
- Site, distribution/size and shape
- Colour/configuration
- Associated changes
- Morphology
How to do a dermatological history?
- Presenting complaint
- History of complaint - any changes, symptoms, triggers/relievers, previous and current treatments
- PMH - atopy, skin cancer, systemic diseases, sun exposure, skin type
- Family history - atopy, skin disease, autoimmune disease
- Social history - occupation, sun exposure, contactants
- Drug history and allergies
- Impact on life/ICE
What are 4 words that can be used to describe the site and distribution of a skin lesion?
- Generalised
- Flexural
- Extensor
- Photosensitive
What are 4 words that can be used to describe the configuration of a skin lesion?
- Discrete
- Confluent
- Linear
- Target
What are 4 words used to describe the colour of a skin lesion?
- Erythematous
- Purpuric
- Brown/black (pigmented/hyperpigmented)
- Hypopigmented/depigmented - total loss of colour)
What are 4 words used to describe surface features of a skin lesion?
- Scale - built up keratin
- Crust - dried exudate
- Excoriation - erosion from scratching
- Erosion/ulceration
What are 12 words to describe morphology of a skin lesion?
- Macule - smooth, less than 1cm
- Patch - smooth, more than 1cm
- Papule - hard, raised, less than 1cm
- Plaque
- Nodule - hard, raised, more than 1cm
- Vesicle - fluid filled blister, less than 1cm
- Bulla - fluid filled blister, more than 1cm
- Pustule - pus filled vesicle
- Annular - ring shaped
- Wheal - urticaria
- Discoid/nummular - round shaped
- Comedone
What are 4 hair findings with skin lesions?
- Alopecia - patchy
- Alopecia - diffuse
- Hypertrichosis - abnormal hair growth, anywhere
- Hirsuitism - male pattern of hair growth
