eczema

Question 1

Front

Answer 1

Back

Question 2

What is eczema?

Answer 2

A group of inflammatory skin disorders characterized by pruritus and dermatitis.

Question 3

What are the major types of eczema?

Answer 3

Atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, nummular eczema, dyshidrotic eczema.

Question 4

What is atopic dermatitis?

Answer 4

A chronic, pruritic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease associated with atopy.

Question 5

What is the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis?

Answer 5

Genetic defects in skin barrier function and immune dysregulation.

Question 6

What gene is commonly mutated in atopic dermatitis?

Answer 6

Filaggrin (FLG).

Question 7

What is the main symptom of eczema?

Answer 7

Itching (pruritus).

Question 8

What is the atopic triad?

Answer 8

Atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis.

Question 9

What immune response is predominant in atopic dermatitis?

Answer 9

Th2-mediated immune response.

Question 10

What is the typical age of onset for atopic dermatitis?

Answer 10

Infancy or early childhood.

Question 11

Common sites of atopic dermatitis in infants?

Answer 11

Cheeks, scalp, extensor surfaces.

Question 12

Common sites in older children and adults?

Answer 12

Flexural areas: neck, elbows, knees.

Question 13

What are Dennie-Morgan folds?

Answer 13

Infraorbital folds associated with atopic dermatitis.

Question 14

What are complications of atopic dermatitis?

Answer 14

Secondary infections, lichenification, sleep disturbance.

Question 15

What bacteria is commonly involved in superinfection of eczema?

Answer 15

Staphylococcus aureus.

Question 16

What is eczema herpeticum?

Answer 16

Widespread herpes simplex virus infection in eczematous skin.

Question 17

What are key features of acute eczema?

Answer 17

Erythema, edema, vesicles, oozing.

Question 18

What are key features of chronic eczema?

Answer 18

Lichenification, dryness, scaling.

Question 19

What is contact dermatitis?

Answer 19

Inflammation of skin due to exposure to irritants or allergens.

Question 20

What are the two types of contact dermatitis?

Answer 20

Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).

Question 21

What causes irritant contact dermatitis?

Answer 21

Direct damage to the skin barrier by irritants.

Question 22

What causes allergic contact dermatitis?

Answer 22

Delayed-type (Type IV) hypersensitivity reaction.

Question 23

Examples of common irritants?

Answer 23

Soaps, detergents, solvents, acids.

Question 24

Examples of common allergens?

Answer 24

Nickel, fragrances, preservatives, rubber, plants like poison ivy.

Question 25

What is the gold standard for diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis?

Answer 25

Patch testing.

Question 26

What is seborrheic dermatitis?

Answer 26

A chronic, relapsing form of eczema in sebaceous-rich areas.

Question 27

What organism is associated with seborrheic dermatitis?

Answer 27

Malassezia species (yeast).

Question 28

Common locations of seborrheic dermatitis?

Answer 28

Scalp, nasolabial folds, eyebrows, chest.

Question 29

What is cradle cap?

Answer 29

Seborrheic dermatitis in infants, affecting the scalp.

Question 30

What is nummular eczema?

Answer 30

Coin-shaped eczematous plaques, often on limbs.

Question 31

What is dyshidrotic eczema?

Answer 31

Vesicular eczema affecting palms and soles.

Question 32

What triggers dyshidrotic eczema?

Answer 32

Stress, sweating, allergens, humidity.

Question 33

What is asteatotic eczema?

Answer 33

Eczema due to dry skin, typically in elderly patients.

Question 34

What is lichen simplex chronicus?

Answer 34

Thickened, lichenified plaques due to chronic scratching.

Question 35

What is stasis dermatitis?

Answer 35

Eczema due to venous insufficiency, usually in the lower legs.

Question 36

What are signs of stasis dermatitis?

Answer 36

Erythema, scaling, hemosiderin deposits, ulceration.

Question 37

What are key features of acute eczema histology?

Answer 37

Spongiosis, exocytosis of lymphocytes, vesicle formation.

Question 38

What are key features of chronic eczema histology?

Answer 38

Acanthosis, parakeratosis, hyperkeratosis.

Question 39

What are basic principles of eczema treatment?

Answer 39

Restore barrier, reduce inflammation, control pruritus.

Question 40

What is the role of emollients in eczema?

Answer 40

To restore the skin barrier and retain moisture.

Question 41

What are first-line anti-inflammatory agents for eczema?

Answer 41

Topical corticosteroids.

Question 42

What are steroid-sparing agents?

Answer 42

Topical calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus and pimecrolimus.

Question 43

When are systemic treatments used in eczema?

Answer 43

In severe or refractory cases.

Question 44

Examples of systemic treatments?

Answer 44

Cyclosporine, methotrexate, azathioprine, dupilumab.

Question 45

What is dupilumab?

Answer 45

A monoclonal antibody targeting IL-4 receptor, used for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

Question 46

What is wet wrap therapy?

Answer 46

Occlusion of topical medications with wet bandages to enhance absorption.

Question 47

What is bleach bath therapy?

Answer 47

Diluted bleach baths to reduce bacterial colonization.

Question 48

What non-pharmacologic strategies help manage eczema?

Answer 48

Avoiding triggers, moisturizing, short lukewarm showers.

Question 49

What is the itch-scratch cycle?

Answer 49

Itching leads to scratching, which worsens skin damage and inflammation.

Question 50

What are antihistamines used for in eczema?

Answer 50

To reduce pruritus, especially sedating ones for nighttime relief.

Question 51

How is eczema diagnosed?

Answer 51

Clinical examination and history; patch testing for contact dermatitis.

Question 52

Is eczema contagious?

Answer 52

No, it is not contagious.

Question 53

What is the prognosis of eczema?

Answer 53

Often improves with age but may persist into adulthood.