Acute and Emergency Dermatology Flashcards
The skin is a mechanical barrier to infection. What happens regarding this if the skin fails?
Sepsis
The skin has a role in temperature regulation. What happens regarding this if the skin fails?
Hypo and hyper thermia
The skin has a role in fluid and electrolyte balance. What happens regarding this if the skin fails?
Protein and fluid loss
Renal impairment
Peripheral vasodilation
Erythrederma?
Any inflammatory skin disease affecting >90% of the total skin surface
List some of the causes of erythroderma.
Psoriasis
Eczema
Drugs
Cutaneous lymphoma
Hereditary disorders
Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis are two conditions which are similar too each other and are secondary to drugs.
Which is more severe?
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Which drugs can cause SJS or TENs?
Antibiotics
Anticonvulsants
Allopurinol
NSAIDs
When is it SJS or TEN?
SJS when <10% detachment of the epidermis
TEN when 30% or more detachment of the epidermis
SJS-TEN overlap when 10-30%
->regions where the epidermis has died and come off, hence detachment
What are the clinical features of SJS?
Fever, malaise, arthralgia
Rash covering <10% of skin
Mouth ulceration
Ulceration of other mucous membrnaes
Presentation of TEN?
Prodromal febrile illness
Ulceration of mucous membranes
Rash > 30%, skin starts to come off in sections
Management of SJS or TEN?
Identify and stop culprit drug
Supportive therapy as patient usually unwell
Which score is used to see what the patient’s prognosis is for SJS or TEN?
SCORTEN
->the higher the score, the higher the risk of mortality
What triggers erythema multiforme?
Infection, most commonly Herpes Simplex
What happens in erythema multiforme?
Abrupt onset of 100s of lesions over 24hrs, palms an soles being common sites
Which investigation is useful in erythema multiforme?
Swab for infection
What is the treatment of erythema multiforme?
Self limiting and usually resolves within 2wks
Treat symptoms and underlying cause if required
DRESS?
Drug reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms
->just to say, doesn’t look too dramatic, just red rash all over but patient will have systemic symptoms and be unwell
What is the treatment of DRESS?
Stop drug causing it
Symptomatic and supportive treatment
What is the difference between DRESS drug reaction and SJS/TEN drug reaction?
In DRESS, reaction occurs 2-8wks after drug exposure
In SJS/TEN, drug reaction occurs in first few weeks
Which type of drug is usually the cause of DRESS?
Anticonvulsant
Pemphigus and pemphigoid are two types of blister.
Which is more common?
Pemphigoid