[25] Dermatology Management Flashcards
How can treatment modalities for dermatology be broadly categorised?
- Medical therapy
- Physical therapy
How can medical therapy in dermatology be further categorised?
- Topical
- Systemic
What are the types of physical dermatology treatments?
- Cryotherapy
- Phototherapy
- Photodynamic therapy
- Lasers
- Surgery
How do topical dermatological therapies work?
Deliver treatment directly to the affected areas
What is the advantage of topical therapies?
Reduces the systemic side-effects
What conditions are topical therapies suitable for?
Localised and less severe skin conditions
What do topical therapies consist of?
- Active constituents
- Base
What is the role of the base in topical therapies?
Transport the active constituents into the skin
What are some examples of active constituents in dermatological topical therapies?
- Steroids
- Tar
- Immunomodulators
- Retinoids
- Antibiotics
What are the common forms of base used in topical therapies?
- Lotion
- Cream
- Gel
- Ointment
- Paste
What is a lotion?
A liquid
What is a cream?
Oil in water
What is a gel?
Organic polymers in liquid - transparent
What is an ointment?
Oil with little to no water
What is a paste?
Powder in an ointment
When are systemic therapies preferred in dermatology?
- Extensive disease
- Serious disease
- Systemic involvement
- Topical treatment failure
What is the main disadvantage of systemic therapies?
Can cause systemic side-effects
What are the most common medical therapies used in dermatology?
- Emollients
- Topical/oral steroids
- Oral aciclovir
- Oral antihistamines
- Topical/oral antibiotics
- Topical antiseptics
- Oral retinoids
What is the aim of emollients?
Rehydrate the skin and re-establish the surface lipid layer
When are emollients used?
Dry, scaling conditions and as soap substitutes
What are some examples of emollients?
- Aqueous cream
- Emulsifying ointment
- Liquid paraffin
What are the potential side-effects of emollients?
Irritant or allergic reactions
What are the aims of steroids in dermatology?
Anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects