Week 5: Dermatology 2 (common skin conditions) Flashcards
(99 cards)
Emergency dermatology
- Urticaria, angioedema and anaphylaxis
- Erythema nodosum
- Erythema multiforme
- Steven Johnson
- Necrotizing fasciitis
Skin infections
- Cellulitis
- Impetigo
- Fungal infections
- Folliculitis
- Pityriasis rosea
- Scabies
Skin cancer
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Malignant melanoma
Inflammatory skin conditions
- Atopic eczema
- Acne vulgaris
- Psoriasis and different types
Erythema nodosum
- A type of panniculitis, an inflammatory disorder affecting subcutaneous fat
causes of Erythema nodosum
- Hypersensitise reaction of unknown cause in most patients
- In other case:
- Inflammatory condition
- IBD
- Sarcoidosis
- TB
- Drug
- Amoxicillin
- Oral contraceptive
- Infection
- Streptococcal
- malignancy
- Inflammatory condition
more common in women
presentation of erythema nodosum
- Bilateral tender erythematous nodules on the anterior shins (less commonly, thighs and forearms (rarely on face))
- 3-20cm
- Accompanied by fever and joint pain – swollen ankle most common
management of erythema nodosum
- Treatment of underlying condition e.g. crohns, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, throat infection
- Anti-inflammatory drugs e.g. ibuprofen and cortisone
- They spontaneously resolve within 8 weeks
Erythema multiforme (major and minor)
- Hypersensitivity reaction usually triggered by infections, most commonly herpes simpelx virus (HSV)
- Divided into major and minor forms
causes of erythema multiform
- Usually young adults
- Genetic tendancy
- Triggers
- Drugs
- barbiturates
- NSAIDS
- penicillin
- Infections
- mycoplasma pneumonia
- Herpes varicella-zoster
- Dermatophyte fungal infections
- Drugs
presentation of erythema multiforme
- Eruption characterised by target lesion (few to hundreds within 24 hours)
- First seen on the back of hands/ top of feet and then spread down limb towards trunk
- Mucous membranes may be involved
- May have fever or chills and arthralgia
management of erythema multiforme
- Treatment of underlying condition
- Acute and self limiting, usually resolving without complications
- Itching- antihistamine/corticosteroids topical
- Eye involvement should be treated by ophthalmologist
- Recurrent erythema multiforme usually treated with oral acyclovir for 6 months
- Skin biopsy may need to done to exclude other conditions
Urticaria, angioedema and anaphylaxis
-
Background (also known as hives, weals, or nettle rash) is a superficial swelling of the skin (epidermis and mucous membranes) that results in a red (initially with a pale centre), raised, and intensely itchy rash.
- Angio-oedema is a deeper form of urticaria with transient swellings of deeper dermal, subcutaneous, and submucosal tissues, often affecting the face (lips, tongue, and eyelids), genitalia, hands, or feet. For more information, see the CKS topic on Angio-oedema and anaphylaxis
- Urticaria and angio-oedema can co-exist (in about 40% of cases), but either can occur separately
- Consider vasculitic urticaria – if lesion remain for longer 24hs and are painful, non blanching and palpable (esp in conjunction with fever, malaise and arthralgia)
Causes/ risk factors of urticaria, angioedema and anaphylaxis
Mast cell driven disease → release histamine, leukotrienes and prostaglandins. Triggers include
- Certain foods
- Certain plants, animals, latex
- Cold
- Hot, sweaty skin e.g. emotional stress
- Insect bite
presentation of urticaria and angioedema
- Pruritus
- Vascular permeability
- Oedema
- Rash: erythematous swelling of various shapes and sizes, classically have central pallor with erythematous flare
management of urticaria
- Investigations not usually required unless indicated in history and exam
- Identify underlying cause e.g. trigger factor/ new drug
- Antihistamine e.g. cetirizine
- If symptoms severe give prednisolone for up to 7 days
- If inadequate response increase dose of antihistamines
Necrotising fasciitis
is a very serious bacterial infection of the soft tissue and fascia. The bacteria multiply and release toxins and enzymes that result in thrombosis in the blood vessels. The result is the destruction of the soft tissues and fascia.
3 main types
three types of NF
Type I- polymicrobial
Type II- due to hameolytic group A streptococcus and/or staphylococci MRSA
Type III (gas gangrene e.g. due to clostridium)
causes/risk factors of encrotizing fascitis
- Most cases are of streptococcal necrotising fasciitis in young individuals
- Opening in the skin e.g.
- Mandibular fracture and dental infection
- Direct contact with someone else with it
- Risk factors
- NSAIDs
- Older
- DM
- immune suppression
- obesity
- drug abuse
presentation of NF
- Early symptoms can include:
- a small but painful cut or scratch on the skin
- intense pain that’s out of proportion to any damage to the skin
- a high temperature (fever) and other flu-like symptoms
- After a few hours to days, you may develop:
- swelling and redness in the painful area – the swelling will usually feel firm to the touch
- diarrhoea and vomiting
- After a few hours to days, you may develop:
dark blotches on the skin that turn into fluid-filled blisters
investigations for NF
plain X-ray or CT scan may show soft tissue gas
management of NF
- Surgery to remove infected tissue (amputation may be required)
- Antibiotics
- Vancomycin IV plus clindamycin
- Supportive treatment e.g. IV fluids
Pathophysiology of NF
The infection starts in the superficial fascia. Enzymes and proteins released by the responsible micro-organisms cause necrosis of fascial layers. Horizontal spread of infection may not be clinically apparent on the skin surface and hence diagnosis may be delayed. The infection then spreads vertically up into the skin and down into deeper structures. Thrombosis occludes the arteries and veins leading to ischaemia and necrosis of the tissues.
Steven Johnson syndrome background
- Immune-complex-mediated hypersensitivity disorder.
- Ranges from mild skin and mucous membrane lesions to a severe, sometimes fatal systemic illness:
- toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).
- SJS, SJS/TEN overlap and TEN form a spectrum of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) that can be differentiated by the degree of skin and mucous membrane involvement.