Common GP Skin Conditions

Question 1

Pitted Keratolysis
1. what is it ?
2. how is it treated?
Reference: DermnetNZ

Answer 1

1. Superficial bacterial skin infection affecting the soles of the feet causing smelly feet.

The pitting is due to destruction of the horny cells (stratum corneum) by protease enzymes produced by the bacteria.

2. Topical Erythromycin 2%
   Benzyl peroxide 5% gel
   Oral erythromycin is useful

Question 2

1. What is chillblains?
2. When does it occur?
3. Other factors contributing?
4. Treatment
   Reference: DermnetNZ

Answer 2

1. itchy and/or tender red or purple bumps in reaction to the cold, also known as perniosis.
   Localised form of vasculitis
2. Chilblains occur several hours after exposure to the cold
3. Other factors contributing to chilblains include:
   Familial tendency to chilblains
   Peripheral vascular disease, due to diabetes, smoking, hyperlipidaemia
   Low body weight, or malnutrition, eg anorexia nervosa
   Hormonal changes: chilblains can improve during pregnancy
   Connective tissue disease, particularly lupus erythematosus (chilblain lupus), or, in association with Raynaud phenomenon, systemic sclerosis.
   Bone marrow disorders
4. steroid

Question 3

What is pompholyx?

Answer 3

Vesicular eczema of hands and soles of feet