Paper one

Question 1

What is a boil?

Answer 1

A red raised, painful lump around a hair follicle with pus. Extends deeply into the skin and can cause scarring once healed. Bacterial infection.

Question 2

What is impetigo?

Answer 2

A highly contagious inflammatory infection. Initially appears as red itchy patches, skin breaks with small blisters and honey coloured that develop, they leak serum and spread daily. Bacterial infection.

Question 3

What is Herpes Simplex

Answer 3

Cold sore. Highly contagious infection that can often occur at times of illness, stress or excessive exposure to sun or wind. Viral.

Question 4

What is Herpes Zoster

Answer 4

Shingles. Same virus as chicken pox. Itching, erythema and inflammation followed by blisters that develop along the sensory nerve pathway.

Question 5

What is Tinea Corporis?

Answer 5

Fungal infection, ringworm. Highly infections.

Question 6

What is conjunctivis?

Answer 6

Inflammation of the mucous membrane that covers the eye and lid. Pussy discharge and red and sore.

Question 7

What is a comedone?

Answer 7

Blackhead. Often on oily, combination skin. Caused by overproduction of sebum blocking the pore and when the sebum encounters oxygen the oxidising effect starts to darken the sebum.

Question 8

What are papules and pustules?

Answer 8

Papules are red spots caused by inflammation of the sebaceous glands. Pustules are yellow spots also caused by inflammation of the sebaceous glands however infection has occurred in the form of bacteria. Generally found in those with oily combination skin but also caused by hormonal imbalance.

Question 9

Describe open pores and where you see them?

Answer 9

More visible. and enlarged. Common on oily areas of the skin. Once the pores are enlarged they can never return to normal size. Often seen on older skin or skins that were previously oily or combination. Don’t assume skin is oily just because they’re present

Question 10

What is milia? Where are they found? How can they be treated?

Answer 10

Often on dry skin caused by overproduction of dry skin cells causing a blockage of the sebaceous gland. Appear as small white pearls under the skin surface, often around the eye or cheek. Exfoliating and applying moisturiser on a regular basis can loosen them. Or a qualified therapist can use a sterile needle to pierce the skin to extract.

Question 11

Describe broken capillaries, who has them and what causes them. How to treat them.

Answer 11

Common on cheeks or nose, small red/pink threads under skin. Most occur when the capillary walls constrict and then dilate too quickly causing the muscles int he wall to tear and blood to seep out. Often seen in dehydrated, dry or sensitive skin as they often have thin skin that provides less protection. Common causes:
Hot conditions
Wind on face
Sunburn
Moving from extreme temps
Pressure (squeezing spots or glasses)
Specialist electrolysis or cremas.

Question 12

What is hyper pigmentation?

Answer 12

Darker coloured skin areas - increased pigment production. Common in pregnancy due to hormones and in old age. Use sun block. Can disguise with concealer.

Question 13

What is hypo pigmentation?

Answer 13

Paler coloured skin - decreased pigment production. Use concealer and sun block.

Question 14

What is dermatosis paulosa nigra?

Answer 14

Occurs on the faces of hispanic or black origin consists of 1-5mm brown/black papules that have a stuck on appearance. Can occur from adolescence more common in females than males. May be hereditary. More common in darker pigmented black skin. Can be treated by advance electrolysis methods.

Question 15

Describe pseudo folliculitis

Answer 15

Inflammation of the hair follicles due to bacterial or fungicidal infections. Area looks inflamed an acne like and often extrudes pus. It can occur in all skin and hair types, not always related to shaving.

Question 16

What is pseudo folliculitis barbae?

Answer 16

Shaving bumps, widespread problem among people with dark skin and curly hair. As the hair follicle grows out of the skin it immediately curls and re enters the skin. The skin reacts to it as a foreign body and becomes inflamed and irritated creating bumps. Can be somewhat relieved with topical steriods. Can be treated on tanned or dark peope with laser.

Question 17

What are keloids?

Answer 17

A scar that does not know when to stop growing. When the skin is injured cells grow back to fill in the gap. In a keloid the cells keep on reproducing, scar tissue looks shiny and is often dome shaped. They feel hard and thick and are always raised above the skin. More common in African or Asian skin. More common on chest, upper back, and shoulders though can be anywhere.. can be treated with surgery, laser, cortisone injections or freezing.

Question 18

Describe ingrowing hairs.

Answer 18

Hairs trapped below the skin - three types.
Coiled - appears as a black dot or dome in the skin.
Infected ingrowth - usually pustular raised head which contains the hair.
A flat hair - looks like a small thread can be released with tweezers or sterile needle.
Can occur due to dead skin cells building up over the hair follicle. common after shaving or waxing. Advise client to exfoliate and moisturise regularly to prevent ingrowing hairs.