Class 7 - Pathology of the Integumentary System Flashcards
The interface between the body’s internal and external environment that is subject to its own pathologies, and can be used to judge general health.
Skin
_____ pathologies can be painful, irritating, and there is also psychological impact that may occur for sufferers.
Skin
T/F - Massage therapists have more access to their client’s skin than any other front line health care practitioner.
True
What are some functions of human skin?
1) Protection
2) Immunity
3) Thermoregulation
4) Storage/Reservoir
5) Flexible/Resilient Container
6) Sensation
7) Role in Vitamin D Synthesis
8) Healing/Repair
9) Excretion
What are the 3 layers of skin from superficial to deep?
1) Epidermis
2) Dermis
3) Subcutaneous
Melanocytes produce _______, which has 2 purposes:
1) Giving the skin ______
2) Protecting basal cells from ___ damage
Melanin
Colour (Pigmentation)
UV
What are some general guidelines for manual practitioners related to working with the skin?
1) Research unfamiliar conditions
2) Avoid treating an undiagnosed lesion
3) Hygiene care to an area of inflamed, irritated, or disrupted skin
4) Ask about type of treatment(s)
5) Good reason to treat the vulnerable skin?
6) Patch test for allergies
7) Modify hydrotherapy
What are some general contraindications related to skin pathologies?
1) Infection/risk of spreading
2) Acute inflammation/flare up present
3) Vesicles/blisters
4) Risk of promoting bleeding
5) Broken or eroded skin
6) Stretching friable tissue
Refers to a traumatic or pathologic loss of normal tissue continuity, structure, or function. Size ranges from a fraction of a millimetre to many centimetres.
Lesion
A small, flat, circumscribed lesion of a different colour than the normal skin.
Macule
A small, firm, elevated lesion.
Papule
An elevated lesion larger than a papule.
Nodule
An elevated, erythematous lesion that usually contains purulent exudate (pus).
Pustule
An elevated, thin walled lesion containing clear fluid.
Vesicle
A large, slightly elevated lesion with a flat surface that is often topped by scale.
Plaque
A lesion with a dry, rough surface, or dried exudates, or blood.
Crust
A lesion with a thick, dry, rough skin surface that is leather-like.
Lichenification
A lesion that is a raised, irregular mass of collagen resulting from excessive scar formation.
Keloid
A lesion that is a small, deep crack or tear in the skin.
Fissure
A lesion that is a cavity with loss of tissue from the epidermis and dermis. It is often weeping or bleeding.
Ulcer
A lesion that is a shallow moist cavity in the epidermis.
Erosion
T/F - A patch is a lesion that is less that 1 cm in diameter.
False - A patch is a lesion that is GREATER than 1 cm in diameter. It is larger than a macule.
A general term meaning skin outbreak that changes its appearance and texture. Temporary eruptions of the skin that range in size and are associated with childhood diseases, heat, irritation, allergies, or drug induced reactions.
Rashes
What are the 4 types of rashes?
1) Blanched (white)
2) Erythematous (red)
3) Hemorrhagic/Purpuric (containing blood)
4) Pigmented (coloured)
A vesicle of fluid filled papule that is caused by friction or burns. There is degeneration of epidermal cells and disruptions of intercellular junctions, which causes layers of skin to separate and fluid to accumulate.
Blister (Bulla)
Blisters are most common in the _____ surface of the hand or the _____ surface of the foot.
Palmar
Plantar
T/F - Breaking of a blister to remove fluid will increase the chance of infection.
True
A hyperkeratotic plaque of skin due to chronic pressure or friction. There is increased cohesion between cells and decreased skin shedding.
Callus
T/F - Calluses can be permanently removed by filing.
False - Calluses may be removed by filing, but will reoccur if the cause is not addressed.
A small, well circumscribed, cone-shaped, keratinous thickening of the skin. _____ will usually appear on the toes from rubbing or ill-fitting shoes.
Corns
T/F - Corns are painful on the hands, and usually asymptomatic on the feet.
False - Corns are painful on the FEET, and usually asymptomatic on the HANDS.
Corns may be removed by _______, but may reoccur if the cause is not addressed.
Surgery
______ develop from forces distributed over a broad area of skin, whereas _____ develop from more localized forces.
Calluses
Corns
T/F - Corns can occur within an area of callus, such as on the plantar surface.
True
An itch sensation that originates in free nerve endings in the skin (nociceptors) and ranges from mild to severe. Most treatment measures are non-specific.
Pruritus
_______ may be a clue for internal disorders, such as chronic renal disease and biliary disease.
Pruritus
What are 3 triggering factors for pruritis?
1) Warmth
2) Touch
3) Vibration
Scratching an itch is a _____ reflex, and it may or may not relieve the itch. Repeated scratching may lead to skin ________ and lacerations/excoriation.
Spinal
Irritation
Caused by dehydration of the stratum corneum and skin appears rough, scaly, wrinkled, and lined. It may be the primary sign on a skin disorder, or an underlying systemic disease.
Xerosis
Dry skin is predisposed to _______, which may result in cracking a fissuring.
Itching
What are some commonly affected areas for xerosis? How is it treated?
Extremities, Back, Abdomen, Waist
Moisturizing Agents
_______ skin generally provides better protection against skin cancer, premature wrinkling, and aging of the skin associated with ___ exposure.
Darker
Sun
T/F - It is easier to evaluate pallor, cyanosis, and erythema on darker skin.
False - It may be MORE DIFFICULT to evaluate pallor, cyanosis, and erythema on darker skin.
_________ skin disorders involve melanocytes.
Pigmentary
A pigmentary skin disorder characterized by white patches that suddenly appear on the skin due to the absence or a decreased number of melanocytes, or containing melanocytes that don’t produce melanin.
Vitiligo
Characteristics of _______:
- Presents as a depigmented macule with a definite smooth border
- The size is variable and may enlarge over time
- Often seen on the face, neck, axillae, or extremities
- Colour is white, pale, or greyish blue
- The lesions are prone to sunburn
- Usually asymptomatic, or may be pruritic
Vitiligo
T/F - The etiology for vitiligo is unknown and there is no cure.
True
A genetic pigmentary skin disorder with complete or partial congenital absence of pigment in the skin (pale/pink), hair (white/yellow), and eyes (light/pink).
Albinism
The most common type of albinism that is recessively inherited and the patient has the normal number of melanocytes, but lacks the enzyme required for the synthesis of melanin.
Oculocutaneous Albinism
Patients with albinism are very sensitive to ____, have refractive errors, and nystagmus.
Light
T/F - There is no cure for albinism and treatment is aimed at reducing the risk of skin cancer.
True
A pigmentary skin disorder characterized by darkened macules on the face visible as hyperpigmentation of the cheeks, temples, and forehead. It can be exacerbated by sun exposure.
Chloasma (Melasma)
Chloasma is more common in biological born females, especially during ________ or while using oral contraceptives.
Pregnancy
Treatment for chloasma is ________, and some options include limiting sun exposure or bleaching.
Palliative
T/F - Chloasma is permanent if it occurs during pregnancy.
False - Chloasma is often NOT PERMANENT if it occurs during pregnancy.
A relatively common fungal infection in which fungus invades dead keratinized tissue and this can happen anywhere on the body.
Tinea (Mycosis/Ringworm)
Characteristics of _______:
- Skin scaling, nail degeneration, or hair breakage
- Fungal infection can become deep in immunocompromised individuals, caused by inflammation due to toxins released by fungi
- Appears itchy, scaly, red rash, and sometimes bald patches
- Treatment would be with an antifungal cream
Tinea (Mycosis/Ringworm)
T/F - You can massage an area with tinea, as long as it hasn’t progressed to a deeper reaction.
False - You CANNOT massage an area with tinea, as it is CONTAGIOUS.
_______ bacterial infections are generally superficial. _________ bacterial infections usually occur in a pre-existing lesion and may be deeper.
Primary
Secondary
A bacterial infection can be diagnosed by _______ and treated with __________.
Culture
Antibiotics
An infection of a hair follicle which spreads to the surrounding dermis.
Furuncles (Boils)
