20 - Skin Conditions Flashcards
What factors should be considered when thinking about a patients presenting complaint of a skin condition?
- Site of onset and evolution
- Distribution - asymmetrical/symmetrical
- Flexors/extensors?
- Mucous membranes?
- Sun exposed?
- Duration - acute/chronic?
What should be considered when taking a medical history for a skin condition?
- Symptoms (e.g. itching/soreness)
- Exacerbating and relieving factors
- Past medical history
- Personal and family history of skin disease (including atopy - genetic tendency to develop allergic diseases)
- Thorough drug history
- Social, occupational and travel history (± sexual history)
- Psychosocial impact of skin disease
What is lichenification?
- Thickening of the skin in response to excessive itching/rubbing
- Usually in flexural areas
- Often occurs in tandem with other conditions (e.g. eczema)
When assessing any skin condition, what other areas of the skin should also be examined?
- Hair/scalp
- Mucous membranes
- Nails
In dermatology, what is the technical term for:
- a small lump (<5mm)
- a larger lump (5-10mm)
- Small - papule
- Larger - nodule
What is a macule?
Non-palpable area of discolouration (<2cm in size)
What is a macule known as when it is larger than 2cm in size?
Patch
What is the technical term for redness of the skin?
Erythema
What is the difference between an erosion and an ulcer?
Erosion = loss of epidermis (superficial) Ulcer = loss of epidermis and dermis (deep)
A small water blister is called a ………., a larger water blister is called a ……………
When filled with pus, they are known as ……….
Vesicle
Bulla
Pustules
What is alopecia?
Hair loss/thinning
What are the technical terms for scratch marks and stretch marks?
Scratch marks - excoriations
Stretch marks - striae
What is pruritus?
Itching
How many signs of inflammation are there?
What are the four cardinal signs?
6
- Rubor = blushing
- Tumor = swelling
- Calor = heat
- Dolor = pain/distress (technically a symptom)
What are two additional signs of inflammation?
Functio leasa - loss/disturbance of function
Pruritus - itching
