Approach to crust, scale, environmental and endocrine dermatosis

Question 1

What is the definition of crust?

Answer 1

• Crust can be composed of cells and dried exudate.
• scale that combines with other cellular debris
• May even be dried medications

Question 2

What may the crust exudate be made up of?

Answer 2

• serous (protein and white cells)
• sanguineous (Blood)
• purulent (pus)
  Or
• Mixed

Question 3

What is the definition of scales?

Answer 3

Accumulation of loose fragments of the horny layer (cornifield cells) of the skin
* Normal loss occurs as individual cells or small clusters not visible to the naked eye.
* Abnormal scaling is the loss in larger flakes.
* More than 80% of scaling disorders arise from secondary causes
* Primary – Ichthyosis, primary Seborrhoea – non pruritic
* Secondary – will be discussed in detail -pruritic/variably pruritic