1: Topical skin treatments Flashcards
fWhat are some different vehicles for topical drugs?
Gels
Creams
Ointments
Pastes
Lotions
Creams are an emulsion of ___ in water.
oil
Ointments are greasy - what chemical is responsible for this?
Paraffin
Where are lotions used?
Hairy areas e.g the scalp
Gels are semi-____.
They are used to treat hair bearing areas similar to which other vehicle?
semi-solid
lotions
Pastes are similar to gels in that they are semi-solid.
What are they often used along with?
Bandages
What type of topical therapy is used to rehydrate dry skin in conditions like eczema and psoriasis?
Emollients
Emollients are often cosmetically acceptable. What does this help the patient to do?
Comply with treatment
Very dry skin is known as ___ skin.
xerotic
What therapy is used for patients with xerotic skin?
Wet wraps
What type of dermatitis is characterised by red, bumpy, dry skin, occurs in elderly people and is known as “winter itch”?
Xerotic eczema
What topical therapy is used to treat inflammatory skin conditions like dermatitis, psoriasis and lichen planus?
Topical corticosteroids
What are three systemic effects of topical corticosteroids?
Vasoconstriction
Anti-inflammatory
Immunosuppressant
Psoriasis patients who suddenly stop their corticosteroid treatment are at risk of what?
Rebound pustular psoriasis
1 fingertip’s worth of topical steroids covers what surface area of skin?
2 hands worth of surface area
What are some dermatological side effects of topical steroids?
Skin atrophy
Purpura, telangectasia
Steroid rosacea
Abdominal striae
Topical steroids cause ___, which increases a patient’s chances of developing infections.
immunosuppression
Drugs with names ending in -limus are ___ inhibitors.
How do they work?
What are they most commonly used for?
Calcineurin inhibitors
Inhibit lymphocyte activation
Atopic eczema
What type of topical therapy is used to treat bacterial skin infections?
Antiseptics
What is a family of viruses which commonly causes skin diseases?
Herpes
e.g Herpes simplex, Varicella zoster
What is a skin disease caused by Herpes simplex?
Cold sores
What is an infection which can complicate atopic eczema and results in monomorphic, punched out erosions; most commonly seen in infants?
Eczema herpeticum
What is varicella zoster also known as?
Shingles
What type of antivirals are used to treat:
a) cold sores
b) eczema herpeticum
c) herpes zoster?
a) Topical
b) Oral
c) Oral
What type of topical therapy is used for fungal skin infections?
Antifungals
What is a common fungal infection of the groin?
Candida
(Thrush)
What are some topical antifungal drugs used to treat Candida infections?
Nystatin
Clotrimazole
What are dermatophytes also known as?
Ringworm
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?
Pityriasis versicolor
Ketoconazole
What is itching also known as?
Pruritus
What are some topical antipruritics?
Menthol
Capsaicin
What type of topical drug softens keratin?
Keratinolytics
In which diseases are topical keratinolytics used?
Viral warts
Hyperkeratotic eczema
PSORIASIS
Corns
Calluses
What is an example of a keratinolytic drug used to treat viral warts, hyperkeratosis and psoriasis?
Salicylic acid
In addition to mechanical paring (shaving) and keratinolytics, what specialised therapy can be used to remove viral warts?
Cryotherapy
(liquid nitrogen)
Psoriasis has a special set of topical treatments. What are they?
EMOLLIENTS!!!
Coal tar
Topical steroids
Keratolytics
Vitamin D analogues
Dithranol
What are some disadvantages of coal tar as a treatment for psoriasis?
Messy and smelly
The three unique topical treatments for psoriasis are…
Coal tar
Vitamin D analogues
Dithranol
alongside the standard emollients, topical steroid and keratolytics
What is the name given to psoriasis found in skin folds e.g the axillae?
Inverse psoriasis
What type of dermatitis may any topical treatment cause?
Contact allergic dermatitis
you may be allergic to something in the treatment
