1: Topical skin treatments

Question 1

fWhat are some different vehicles for topical drugs?

Answer 1

Gels

Creams

Ointments

Pastes

Lotions

Question 2

Creams are an emulsion of ___ in water.

Answer 2

oil

Question 3

Ointments are greasy - what chemical is responsible for this?

Answer 3

Paraffin

Question 4

Where are lotions used?

Answer 4

Hairy areas e.g the scalp

Question 5

Gels are semi-____.

They are used to treat hair bearing areas similar to which other vehicle?

Answer 5

semi-solid

lotions

Question 6

Pastes are similar to gels in that they are semi-solid.

What are they often used along with?

Answer 6

Bandages

Question 7

What type of topical therapy is used to rehydrate dry skin in conditions like eczema and psoriasis?

Answer 7

Emollients

Question 8

Emollients are often cosmetically acceptable. What does this help the patient to do?

Answer 8

Comply with treatment

Question 9

Very dry skin is known as ___ skin.

Answer 9

xerotic

Question 10

What therapy is used for patients with xerotic skin?

Answer 10

Wet wraps

Question 11

What type of dermatitis is characterised by red, bumpy, dry skin, occurs in elderly people and is known as “winter itch”?

Answer 11

Xerotic eczema

Question 12

What topical therapy is used to treat inflammatory skin conditions like dermatitis, psoriasis and lichen planus?

Answer 12

Topical corticosteroids

Question 13

What are three systemic effects of topical corticosteroids?

Answer 13

Vasoconstriction

Anti-inflammatory

Immunosuppressant

Question 14

Psoriasis patients who suddenly stop their corticosteroid treatment are at risk of what?

Answer 14

Rebound pustular psoriasis

Question 15

1 fingertip’s worth of topical steroids covers what surface area of skin?

Answer 15

2 hands worth of surface area

Question 16

What are some dermatological side effects of topical steroids?

Answer 16

Skin atrophy

Purpura, telangectasia

Steroid rosacea

Abdominal striae

Question 17

Topical steroids cause ___, which increases a patient’s chances of developing infections.

Answer 17

immunosuppression

Question 18

Drugs with names ending in -limus are ___ inhibitors.

How do they work?

What are they most commonly used for?

Answer 18

Calcineurin inhibitors

Inhibit lymphocyte activation

Atopic eczema

Question 19

What type of topical therapy is used to treat bacterial skin infections?

Answer 19

Antiseptics

Question 20

What is a family of viruses which commonly causes skin diseases?

Answer 20

Herpes

e.g Herpes simplex, Varicella zoster

Question 21

What is a skin disease caused by Herpes simplex?

Answer 21

Cold sores

Question 22

What is an infection which can complicate atopic eczema and results in monomorphic, punched out erosions; most commonly seen in infants?

Answer 22

Eczema herpeticum

Question 23

What is varicella zoster also known as?

Answer 23

Shingles

Question 24

What type of antivirals are used to treat:

a) cold sores
b) eczema herpeticum
c) herpes zoster?

Answer 24

a) Topical

b) Oral

c) Oral

Question 25

What type of topical therapy is used for fungal skin infections?

Answer 25

**Antifungals**

Question 26

What is a common fungal infection of the groin?

Answer 26

**Candida** | (Thrush)

Question 27

What are some topical antifungal drugs used to treat Candida infections?

Answer 27

**Nystatin** **Clotrimazole**

Question 28

What are **dermatophytes** also known as?

Answer 28

**Ringworm**

Question 29

What is a disease caused by fungal infection, presenting as brown discolouration of the chest and back? What topical antifungal is used to treat it?

Answer 29

**Pityriasis versicolor** **Ketoconazole**

Question 30

What is **itching** also known as?

Answer 30

**Pruritus**

Question 31

What are some topical antipruritics?

Answer 31

**Menthol** **Capsaicin**

Question 32

What type of topical drug **softens keratin**?

Answer 32

**Keratinolytics**

Question 33

In which diseases are topical keratinolytics used?

Answer 33

**Viral warts** **Hyperkeratotic eczema** **PSORIASIS** **Corns** **Calluses**

Question 34

What is an example of a keratinolytic drug used to treat viral warts, hyperkeratosis and psoriasis?

Answer 34

**Salicylic acid**

Question 35

In addition to **mechanical paring** (shaving) and **keratinolytics**, what specialised therapy can be used to remove viral warts?

Answer 35

**Cryotherapy** | (liquid nitrogen)

Question 36

**Psoriasis** has a special set of topical treatments. What are they?

Answer 36

**EMOLLIENTS!!!** ***Coal tar*** **Topical steroids** **Keratolytics** ***Vitamin D analogues*** ***Dithranol***

Question 37

What are some disadvantages of coal tar as a treatment for psoriasis?

Answer 37

Messy and smelly

Question 38

The three unique topical treatments for psoriasis are...

Answer 38

**Coal tar** **Vitamin D analogues** **Dithranol** alongside the standard *emollients, topical steroid and keratolytics*

Question 39

What is the name given to psoriasis found in skin folds e.g the axillae?

Answer 39

**Inverse psoriasis**

Question 40

What type of dermatitis may **any** topical treatment cause?

Answer 40

**Contact allergic dermatitis** you may be allergic to something in the treatment