Childhood and skin conditions Flashcards
Nappy Rash
- Red itchy sore skin around the areas of the nappy.
- ** Risk factors** include diarrhoea, limited nappy time and can usually worsen during teething.
Red flags can include pus-filled blisters in folds of the skin and distress of the baby.
How you approach it?
* Lifestyle advice such as changing wet/dirty nappies regularly, when taking baby out of the bath leave nappy off as long as possible and avoid bubble bath.
- Use barrier creams like Metanium
- topical antifungal like canestan
- Low-potency corticosteroids
- Antibacterial therapy
- Referal to dermatologist
Skin conditions
Common skin conditions in children.
- eczema
- Nappy rash
- dermatitis
- chickenpox
- measles
- warts
- hives
- ringworm
Skin conditions
Skin condition detection:
Where, colour, size and smell.
* Symptoms does the patient have?
* change of environment?
* How long have you had it?
* Family history
* Has it grown bigger or spread?
Skin conditions
Immunological vs infection
Dermatosis can be acute or chronic and is triggered by immunologic factors (allergic reaction).
Usually erythema multiforme, pruritus and eczema
Or you can have infective dermatoses
Such as bacterial impetigo
Fungal Skin infections
Tinea capitis (scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes)-flaky skin, yellow crusts and hairloss. (Terbinafine antifungal)
Malassezia yeasts:small scaly patched that joint together (blotchy) and use ketoconozole shampoo to treat.
Candidiasis-
What is the website called for different sknigtones
MIND THE GAP
Redflags for skin conditions
- Rash covering more than 90% of persons body
- Fever
- Malaise
- Diarrhoea
- N/V
Non-blanching rash and Blisters
Viral
HPv- warts
Herpes-Cold sores (ask kebab)
Chicken pox/shingles
Scabies
Eczema in more detail
Definition:
Chronic inflammatory skin condition causing an itchy, red rash, commonly behind elbows and knees.
Often atopic, indicating a genetic predisposition to eczema, asthma, or hayfever.
Symptoms:
Typically starts between 3-12 months of age.
Acute phase includes heat, erythema (redness), and swelling, leading to severe itching.
Red Flags:
Impetiginised eczema: Secondary infection in skin damaged by scratching, characterized by weeping, papules, and crusts.
Lifestyle Advice:
Avoid irritants like soaps, stress, and allergens.
Wear cotton clothing for comfort.
OTC Advice:
Use emollients and moisturizers, e.g., Zerobase, Cetraben, Diprobase.
Treat flare-ups with topical steroids (except on open/weepy areas).
Consider a sedative antihistamine for sleep-disturbing itch.
Insect bites
RED FLAG:
Ticks go in a line and needs imediate referral
Swelling of face, tounge and lips.
Wheezing or breathing difficulty.
Treatment: antihistamines or eurax to relieve itching
** Lifestyle**; cold compress and dont itch.
Contact Dermititis
Type:
A type of eczema triggered by direct contact with irritants or allergens like chemicals.
Symptoms:
Itchy, red rash.
Scaling or cracking skin.
Lifestyle Advice:
Identify and avoid allergens or irritants.
Rinse affected skin with warm water and emollients immediately after contact.
Use gloves for protection.
Switch from products that irritate the skin.
OTC Advice:
Regular use of emollients to maintain skin hydration.
Use topical steroids to manage itching.
This flashcard provides a concise summary of contact dermatitis, including triggers, symptoms, preventative steps, and treatment advice.
Ring worm
Also known as tinea corporis if on the body (can also appear on the scalp (tinea capitis) and groin (jock itch))
Fungal infection
Transmitted by direct contact with an infected person
Symptoms
Circular red scaly lesion & erythema
Maybe itchy
Have a clearly defined edge
Lifestyle Advice
Wash towels & bed sheets regularly
Keep skin clean & wash hands after touching animals or soil
Take your pet to the vet if they might have ringworm
Don’t share towels, combs, bedsheets
Do not scratch the rash
OTC Advice
Antifungal cream e.g. Clotrimazole 1% Cream
Shingles
Pain, burning, numbness, or tingling.
Red rash with fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over.
Itching, fever, headache, light sensitivity, fatigue.
Transmission:
Virus spread through direct contact with open shingles sores, causing chickenpox in those who have never had chickenpox or the vaccine.
Treatment:
Antiviral Medications:
Acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir (start within 72 hours of rash appearance).
Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers; topical creams.
Rest: Essential for recovery.
Precautions:
Cover the rash, avoid scratching, wash hands frequently, avoid at-risk individuals (newborns, pregnant women, immunocompromised).
Psoriasis
Silver scaly skin
Definition:
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition characterized by rapid skin cell turnover, leading to thick, scaly patches.
Symptoms:
Red, raised, inflamed patches of skin, often covered with silvery scales.
Commonly affected areas include the scalp, elbows, knees, and back.
Itching, burning, and soreness around patches.
Triggers:
Stress, alcohol, smoking, certain medications, and infections can exacerbate symptoms.
Treatment:
Topical Treatments: Corticosteroids, vitamin D analogues, and moisturizers to reduce inflammation and plaque buildup.
Lifestyle Management:
Moisturize regularly to keep skin supple.
Avoid triggers known to cause flare-ups.
Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen to manage associated health risks like cardiovascular disease.
Note:
Psoriasis is not just a skin condition; it can affect joints (psoriatic arthritis) and have systemic impacts. Regular medical follow-up is essential for comprehensive management.
Chickenpox
Definition:
Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It’s most common in children but can affect adults too.
Symptoms:
Itchy red rash that turns into fluid-filled blisters and eventually scabs over.
Fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and headache.
Transmission:
Spreads through direct contact with the rash or through the air by respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Incubation Period:
Approximately 10-21 days after exposure to the virus.
Contagious Period:
1-2 days before the rash appears and until all blisters have formed scabs, usually about 5-7 days after the rash begins.
Treatment:
No specific treatment for the virus itself. Management focuses on relieving symptoms.
**Calamine lotion **and cooling baths to soothe itching.
Paracetamol to reduce fever (avoid aspirin due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome).
Prevention:
Varicella vaccine, which is highly effective in preventing chickenpox or reducing the severity of the illness.
Important Notes:
Keep children out of school or daycare until all blisters have crusted over.
High risk of complications for infants, adults, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.