Derm SAS/Review Flashcards
What are the signs and symptoms of DRESS?
Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms
- A drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction
-
Skin eruption with systemic symptoms and internal organ invovlement
- Macular exanthem
- Centrofacial swelling
- Fever
- Malaise
- Lymphadeonpathy
- Involvement of other organs
- >70% of patients have eosinophilia
What is the importance of filaggrin breakdown products in skin function?
Filaggrin is an important protein in the skin’s barrier function
Breakdown products normally keep skin hydrated
Non-functioning or reduced filaggrin is associated with atopic dermatitis and ichthyoses
Which cells in the epidermis function as mechanoreceptors?
Merkel cells
Which inflammatory myopathy is most strongly associated with malignancy?
Dermatomyositis (adult presentation)
Juvenile DM is not associated with malignancy
Describe the presentation of subacute cutaneous lupus
- Scaling, annular pink papules and plaques
- No scarring
- Low tendency for systemic disease
- Associated with Anti-SSA (Ro)
- This antibody is also implicated in neonatal lupus
- Take a complete drug history!

The discovery of ovarian cancer 6 months into the development of weakness would suggest
A: PM
B: DM
C: IBM
D: None of the above
B: DM
How does UVA light affect the skin?
Which skin cancer is it associated with?
- 320-400 nm
- Contributes to tanning and photoaging
- -> Squamous cell carcinoma
- Penetrates clouds and windows
- Used in tanning beds
A child presents with multiple cafe-au-lait spots and lisch nodules on the iris.
What gene is likely mutated?
What is the prognosis?
Deletion of neurofibromin, a tumor suppressor gene
- -> RAS activation
- Prognosis
- Optic gliomas, dermal neurofibromas may become malignant
- Learning and speech issues
What is the treatment for vitiligo?
- Phototherapy
- Topical steroids
- Topical immunosuppressants
- Tacrolimus
- Lasar therapy
- Depigmentation
- For widespread vitiligo, option may be to depigement the pigmented areas rather than try to restore pigmentation to the affected areas

What condition is caused by antibodies that target Keratin 5 and Keratin 14?
Epidermolysis bullosa simplex
- Genetic disease
- Presents in younger patients
- Results in fragile blisters
- Cleavage of basal layer keratinocytes from each other
What is the pathogenesis of this legion?

This is a keloid - results from abnormal wound healing
- Normal wound healing involves collagen production and degradation
- In keloids, there is an imbalance, leading to excessive collagen production, and less degradation
- This allows the scar to grow out of control in all directions
A patient presents with new-onset alopecia areata.
What is the most important hormone to check?

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
- Thyroid disorders are the most common other autoimmune disorder in patients with alopecia ariata
- Also look for vitiligo, diabetes
Autoantibodies against the hemidesmosome lead to which skin condition?
Bullous pemphigoid (pictured)
- -> Separation of the basal keratinocytes from the basement membrane
- -> Tense bullae
Note: Autoantibodies against desmosomes -> Pemphigus vulgaris, characterized by non-tense blisters and erosions due to separation of keratinocytes from each other

Which appendage of the skin is labeled by c?

Sweat glands

38-year-old man who presents with one month of small blisters on his feet. They are slightly itchy
KOH shows branched, septated hypae.
What is the most likely diagnosis?

Tinia pedis
“Athlete’s foot”

What causes Hand, Foot, Mouth disease?
Describe the clinical presentation
Coxsackie virus A-16 or Enterovirus 71
- Fever
- Ulcerovesicular stromatitis
- Acral erythematous vesicles
- Buttock lesions

Psoriasis is best characterized as :
- Infectious disorder of the skin characterized by sensitivity to bacterial pathogens
- An inflammatory disorder characterized by activation of T-cells and overexpression or certain cytokines
- An autoimmune condition caused by immune cells attacking cell nuclear proteins
- A skin limited condition that never affects other organ systems
b. An inflammatory disorder characterized by activation of T-cells and overexpression or certain cytokines
(TNF-alpha, IL-17, IL-23)
Medications that block TNF-alpha, IL-23, and/or IL-17 would be helpful in treating which skin condition?
Psoriasis
Use if disease is widespread
Topical corticosteroids for local disease
A patient presents with several linearly arranged pruritic edematous excoriated 5mm papules on both of her legs. These seem to come in crops. It is winter and she has no known exposure to mosquitoes. Her husband may have had a few similar lesions. You recommend:
A. Use of DEET when she goes outdoors
B. Treatment for shingles
C. Professional extermination
D. She should get a new mattress
C. Professional extermination
Bedbugs! Must be professionally esterminated
What is the treatment for IgA vasculitis?
Why is it important to treat?
Supportive care
Glucocorticoids if kidney is involved to prevent damage
(Rash will heal on its own w/o scarring; steroids will not help)
A patient presents wtih these itchy lesions.
What is your next step in diagnosing the patient?

KOH exam
- If you see branched, septated hypae = tinea corporis
- Dermatophyte
33 yo obese patient reports developing recurrent painful nodules on the axilla for the past 5 years.
What do you tell her about her condition?
A. It is caused by lack of proper hygiene
B. It is a chronic condition that can affect axilla, groin, buttocks
C. The medications available can achieve long term cure
D. This condition is best treated surgically

B. It is a chronic condition that can affect axilla, groin, buttocks
- This is hidradenitis suppurativa
- Blockage of hair follicles -> painful bumps
- Not caused by lack of proper hygiene
- Smoking, excess weight and metabolic syndrome might play a role in the pathogenesis
-
Keys to diagnosis
- Recurrent painful nodules for several years
- Affects axilla, groin, buttocks
A pearly papule with rolled borders and telangiectasias that bleeds easily is most likely which kind of skin tumor?
How would you treat it?
Basal cell carcinoma
(This is nodular BCC = classic presentation)
- Unlikely to metastasize, but may be locally invasive
- Surgical excision (Mohs if on the face)

Medications that block IL-4 and IL-13 would be useful in treating which skin condition?
Atopic dermatitis
- IL-4 and IL-13 mediate the Th2 response and result in the downregulation of filaggrin















































































































