Skin infections & infestations

Question 1

What is impetigo?

Answer 1

it is a bacterial infection in the superifcial layer of the skin

Question 2

what is the clinical assessment of impetigo? (3)

Answer 2

• red sores / blisters at start
• then become bigger and crusty
• spread to other parts of body: very contagious

Question 3

what is the investigation of impetigo?

Answer 3

diagnosis made on history + examination,

however in serious circumstances = MC&S

Question 4

what is management of impetigo?

Answer 4

• general measure- local wound care
• mild infecion- topical / systemic agent
• serious infection- systemic antibiotic

Question 5

what is folliculitits ?

Answer 5

inflammation of hair follicle

Question 6

what is the clinical assessment of folliculitis?

Answer 6

• small red bumps or white headed pimples around hair follicles
• itching
• pain

Question 7

what is the treatment of folliculitis?

Answer 7

• antibiotic cream, lotion or gel

Question 8

What is cellulitis?

Answer 8

bacterial infection deeper in skin

Question 9

clinical assessment of cellulitis?

Answer 9

• appears as a red, swollen area
• hot & tender to touch
• skin may appear glossy
• fever

Question 10

treatment of cellulitis?

Answer 10

• antibiotics

Question 11

what is erysipelas?

Answer 11

• superifical form of cellulitis, but less so than impetigo

Question 12

What is the organism involved in erysipleas?

Answer 12

streptococcus

Question 13

Clinical assessment of erysipelas?

Answer 13

swollen, reddened, warm areas of skin in face and legs

Question 14

Management for erysipelas?

Answer 14

• Antibiotics
• painkillers

Question 15

what is syphilis?

Answer 15

bacterial infection spread through sexual contact

Question 16

clinical assessment of syphilis?

Answer 16

• small, painless sores or ulcers that typically appear around genitalia / mouth
• blotchy red rash that often affects palms of hands/soles of feet

Question 17

investigation for syphilis?

Answer 17

blood sample- checking for the antibody

Question 18

management of syphilis?

Answer 18

anitbiotics

Question 19

What is the pathogenesis of Herpes Simplex Virus? (HSV)

Answer 19

1. primary exposure
2. 1st clinical episode

if trigger

3. latent infection —————————————> clinical episode

Question 20

Clinical assessment of HSV?

Answer 20

• oral herpes- blisters/ ulcers
• genital herpes- 1 or more genital or anal blisters/ ulcers
• usually both asymptomatic

Question 21

Management of HSV?

Answer 21

• antivirals ie aciclovir

Question 22

What is the clinical assessment of herpes zoster virus (HSV)?

Answer 22

chicken pox +/- shingles

Question 23

what is the management of HZV?

Answer 23

• antiviral ie aciclovir
• coservative ie NSAIDs

Question 24

What is scabies & how does it come about?

Answer 24

• ectoparasite infestation
• mite burrows under skin and lays eggs –> papules & vesicles –> excoriations & pustules
• spread by close or prolonged contact

Question 25

what is the causative organism of scabies?

Answer 25

sacoptes scabei

Question 26

What is the clinical assessment of scabies?

Answer 26

• intense itch
• excoriated rash
• diagnosis made upon finding one burrow

Question 27

Investigations for scabies ?

Answer 27

• distribution of lesions helpful
• confirmed by microscopy of potassium-hydroxide –treated skin scrapings from the tip of a burrow

Question 28

Management of Scabies?

Answer 28

Permethrin cream - put EVERYWHERE apart from hairy bit of scalp

Question 29

What is dermatophytosis?

Answer 29

fungal infection caused by a dermatophyte

ie tinea….

Question 30

clinical assessment of dermatophytosis?

Answer 30

red, itchy, scaly, circular rash; if the rings are red and flaky, definite diagnosis

Question 31

Investigation for dermatophytosis?

Answer 31

scrapings from rash for culture

Question 32

Treatment of dermatophytosis?

Answer 32

antifungal cream

Question 33

what is a furuncle?

Answer 33

abscess in hair follicle

Question 34

what is a carbuncle?

Answer 34

many furuncles

Question 35

what is candidiasis?

Answer 35

fungal infection caused by yeasts - most commonly, candida albicans

Question 36

clinical assessment for candidiasis?

Answer 36

typically creamy-white, curdlike patches on the mucosal surfaces

Question 37

investigation of candidiasis?

Answer 37

scrapings –> MC&S

Question 38

treatment for candidiasis?

Answer 38

• antifungal agents

Question 39

where is candida albicans most likely to be picked up?

Answer 39

areas of moisture