Body Systems: Integumentary Flashcards
integumentary system is comprised of:
skin, accessory organs (hair, nails, associated glands)
skin
- largest organ of human body (17-20 sq ft)
- regulates temp
- receptors sense touch, pressure, pain, and temperature
- aids in excretion of urea and uric acids
- synthesizes vitamin D (thru sunlight exposure)
- protects body from: trauma, infections, damage, toxic chemicals, dehydration
3 structural layers of skin
- epidermis
- dermis
- subcutaneous layer
epidermis
- outer layer of skin
- thin, cellular, multilayered membrane
- responsible for production of keratin (protein for durability + water retention) and melanin (pigment)
dermis
- middle layer of skin
- dense, fibrous layer of connective tissue
- responsible for strength of collagen and elasticity/flexibility from elastin
- various sensory receptors hat provide info about external environment
- sebaceous glands: oil glands that secrete an oily substance called sebum (omg) to lubricate, moistens skin as well as moderate antibacterial + anti fungal effects
subcutaneous layer
thick and fat section (adipose tissue) that insulates body against heat loss
common symptoms that require med attention
- cutaneous lesions/eruptions
- pruritus (itching)
- pain
- edema (swelling)
- erythema (redness)
- inflammation
cyanosis
blue tint to skin, caused by deficiency of O2 in circulating blood
jaundice
yellow discolouration of skin and whites of eyes, caused by impaired liver and allows bile to accumulate and stain the skin
erythema
abnormal redness of skin, caused by increased blood flow and dilated blood vessels close to skin’s surface
pallor
pale skin, caused by decreased blood flow
hematoma
bruising, bluish, black or yellow mark on skin indicating breakdown of clotted blood under skin
shape and colour of nails provide info:
- clubbing or enlargement of ends of nails due to long term O2 deficiency
- pale nails may be a sign of anemia
- flat on conch nail beds may indicate iron deficiency
- cyanosis of nails is the first visible sign of iron deficiency
diagnostic procedures include:
- microscopic examination of skin scrapings
- cultures, DNA testing, antigens, antibodies may be used to identify causative organism in infectious diseases
hypersensitivity skin disorders
- complete medical history including prior outbreaks and their location helps identify allergen
- sensitivity or blood testing for antibodies to identify allergen
biopsies
- used to diagnose benign tumours or skin cancer
types of biopsies
- punch: round shape knife is rotated through the epidermis/dermis into subcutaneous tissue
- incisional: scalpel is used to make a cut through the epidermis down to subcutaneous tissue
- total excision: removes entire lesion or tumour
skin lesions
- Macule (freckle): discoloured spot of skin
- wheal (hive): localized elevation of skin and causes itching
- papule (pimple): solid, elevated area on skin. nodule is a large papule
- vesicle (blister): small fluid sac
- pustule: small, elevated lesion filled with pus
- ulcer: area of skin where the surface has eroded
dermatitis
- inflammation of the skin occurs in many forms, manifested by the pruritus, erythema, and the appearance of various cutaneous lesions
- can be acute, sub acute, or chronic
- family history increase risk
- common types: seborrheic, contact, atopic (eczema me:( ) dermatitis
seborrheic dermatitis SS
- inflammation of sebaceous/oil glands
- Symptoms & Signs:
- gradual increase in the amount and charge in quality of sebum produced
- inflammation occurs in area with greatest # of sebaceous glands (scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, sides of nose, behind ears, middle of chest)
- affected skin is reddened with yellowish, greasy appearing scales
- occurs at any age but common during infancy (cradle cap)
- occurs at a higher rate in adults with disorder of the central nervous system
seborrheic dermatitis patient screening
- gradual onset of disease
- increase of irritation
- earliest appointment made
seborrheic dermatitis etiology
- idiopathic
- emotional stress and hereditary may be precipitating factor
- may be intensified by pityrosporum (yeast-like organism this I normally found on skin in small #)
seborrheic dermatitis diagnosis + treatment
diagnosis: In rare cases where treatment is unresponsive, skin biopsy may be performed
treatment: low strength cortisone/hydrocortisone cream applied topically to affected area
contact dermatitis SS
acute inflammation response of skin triggers by an exogenous chemical, substance, or allergen
SS:
- actions of irritant on skin surface or contact with substances that cause an allergic response
- erythema, edema, small vesicles that ooze, itch, burb or sting
contact dermatitis patient screening
- patient reports itching, burning, stinging
- appointment made at earliest convenience
contact dermatitis etiology
- many substances may induce this disease
- 3 ways contact dermatitis develops: irritation, sensitization, photoallergy
contact dermatitis treatment
- after contact with known irritant, thoroughly clean skin surface
- topical application of corticosteroid cream
- oral steroid
- dermatitis can rebound after short Cours steroids
contact dermatitis prognosis
- varies depending on the amount of skin area involved and likelihood that the irritant can be removed
- therapy is usually positive when combined with removal of irritant
contact dermatitis prevention
- identification of irritant and contact avoidance
atopic dermatitis (eczema)
- chronic inflammation of the skin that trends to occur in patients with a family history of allergic conditions
atopic dermatitis SS
- rash with vesicular and exudative eruptions in children
- dry leathery vesicles in adults
- rash occurs in characteristic pattern on face, neck, elbows, knees, and upper trunk of body is accompanied by pruritus (itchy skin)
- frequently associated with other allergic conditions
atopic dermatitis diagnosis
- medical history and examination of skin
- skin testing for certain allergies
atopic dermatitis treatment
- reducing frequency and severity of eruptions
may be treated with skin moisturizers, sunlight therapy, vitamin D, or calcipotriene - no medications can eliminate
- topical ointments or creams contain cortisone derivative are primary treatment
- non steroids anti-inflammatory agents Protopic and elides are prescribed to specifically treat it
- secondary viral/bacterial infections can result
- antibiotics for secondary infections
atopic dermatitis prognosis
- reducing frequency and severity of eruptions and itching
- medications are prescribed to control the itch-scratching cycle
urticaria (hives)
associated with severe itching following the appearance of redness and an area of swelling(wheal) in localized area of skin
urticaria SS
- hives of various sizes can erupt as a few lemons anywhere on skins and area usually scattered
- in gastrointestinal involvement, patient complains about abdominal colic
- if hives develop in pharyngeal mucosa, airway can be obstructed and lead to asphyxiation
- if swelling involves deeper tissues, condition is called angioedema and is more serious
- urticaria is usually common, acute, and short
- hives can continue over months or years to become a chronic condition
urticaria patient screening
- gives can develop into life-threatening situation if they involve respiratory system
- cutaneous symptoms may make patients very uncomfortable
urticaria etiology
- affected dermis and results form an acute hypersensitivity and release of histamine
- causes localized inflammation and vasodilation of capillaries with substantial edema
- common causes are allergic reactions
urticaria diagnosis
- visual inspection
- patient history of exposure to allergens
- sensitivity testing and blood tests for antibodies help identity irritant/allergen
urticaria treatment
- is possible, remove allergen
- antihistamines bring quick relief
- injection of epinephrine in severe cases (epipen)
- in persistent cases, a Corus of prednisone or methylprednisolone os therapeutic. variety of corticosteroid topical drug is used
- if exposed to allergen again, reaction will occur even after medication
psoriasis
an inflammatory chronic recurrent skin condition marked by thick, flaky, red patches of various sizes, covered with characteristic white and silvery scales
psoriasis SS
- scales develop into dry plaques that can progress to pustules
- affected skin is dry, cracked, encrusted
- common areas are scalp, outer arms and legs, labor and knees, trunk of body
- psoriasis plaques can develop in area of physical trauma (koebner phenomenon)
- most common between 10-30 years old
- noninfectious and doesn’t really affect general health
psoriasis etiology
- cause is unknown but seems to be hereditary
- may be an autoimmune disorder
- more common in white race
- causes can be: hormonal changes, climate changes, emotional stress, period of generally poor health
- some drugs )lithium, beta-blockers, NSAIDS are suspected of exacerbating psoriasis
psoriasis treatment
- goal is to reduce inflammation nd slow rapid growth of affected skin cells
- skin should be kept moist and lubricated
- options include: UV light, psoralen medication, topical steroids, can tar or retinoid applications, low-dosage antihistamines, oatmeal baths
rosacea
chronic inflammatory disorder of the facial skin, causes redness, primarily in area that blush or flush
rosacea symptoms
- increasing redness after dryness and pimples
- small blood vessel of the cheeks and face enlarge and are visible
- small knobby bumps appear on nose, mostly in males
- ocular rosacea is an inflammatory eye condition and is rarer (blood vessel inflamed, eyelids red and swollen, burning or gritty feeling in eyes)