Dermatitis Flashcards
ATOPIC DERMATITIS (AD): AKA ECZEMA
Complications
- Secondary cutaneous infections (scratching, “itch that rashes”) (bacterial: staph. aureus: yellow crusting lesions/eczematous lesions)
- Poor sleep/insomnia: waking up to itch
REFER if bacterial infection
ATOPIC DERMATITIS: WHEN TO REFER
1 Moderate to severe condition with intense pruritis
2 Involvement of large area of body (> 20%)
3 < 1 year of age
4 Secondary Infection
5 Involvement of face / intertriginous areas (armpits/groin)
6 If Sx worsen during treatment
ATOPIC DERMATITIS: PREVENTION
Identify/avoid triggers:
- allergens, chemicals, cosmetics, etc
- use cotton sheets
- launder new clothes before wearing
Skin hydration
- moisturize with emollients BID
ATOPIC DERMATITIS: NON-PHARMACOLOGIC TREATMENT
Limit bath/shower time
- first 5 min hydrates the skin, > 5 min dehydrates the skin when water is hot
- lukewarm water
- daily or every other day (QOD) baths
- avoid soap (use non-soap cleansers)
- pat skin dry (do not rub)
- apply moisturizer to skin immediately after bathing
Keep fingernails short, smooth and clean
- wear cotton gloves/socks on hands to bed at night if itching at night
Keep room humidity high
- humidifier in bedroom at night
TREATMENT: PHARMACOLOGIC-ACUTE AD + refer
If its wet, dry it” : For weeping
- Astringents: Al acetate 5%, USP: dilute
- Witch hazel (hamamelis water)
- Less expensive: Isotonic saline solution, Tap water, Diluted white vinegar
REFER:
- If lesions continue to weep after TWO days of treatment
Pharm Tx of Acute AD: CS dosing/admin, poor sleep, what to avoid
OTC hydrocortisone 0.5-1% cream
- Apply BID-QID prn to affected area for up to 7 days
- Avoid use over large surface areas, prolonged use (> 7 days)
- Avoid use on infected site or eyes/face, avoid ointment
Itching/Poor Sleep
- Oral, sedating antihistamine
AVOID
- Topical anesthetics (benzocaine), topical antihistamines (diphenhydramine) , topical antibiotics (containing neomycin)
- May cause sensitization leading to drug-induced ACD
TREATMENT: PHARMACOLOGIC: CHRONIC AD
“ If it’s dry, wet it”: Chronic AD
Moisturization:
Bath Oils: mineral/veg oil w. a surfactant
- May also contain colloidal oatmeal
- Can add to bath water at end of bath or applied as a wet compress (1 tsp in 1⁄4 cup warm water)
- Can make tub slippery; safety hazard for children and elderly patients
Cleansers
- Avoid typical soaps that contain long chain fatty acids (oleic, palmitic, stearic acid) and alkali metals (Na, K): remove natural lipids that keep skin soft and pliable + increase skin pH
- Glycerin soaps: Transparent, higher oil content because addition of castor oil
- Mild cleansers (Cetaphil Restoraderm): Contain shea butter, glycerin + maintains skin pH
Moisturization: Chronic AD
Emollients and Moisturizers
- Petrolatum 100% USP: effective/inexpensive when applied at bedtime and covered with wet wraps/clothes
- Greasy; less cosmetically appealing
- Do not apply over puncture wounds or laceration
- Mineral Oil
- Dimethicone
- Lanolin (rxn from wool fraction)
Humectants: help skin retain water (glycerin, hyaluronic acid, etc)
Ceramides
DRY SKIN (XEROSIS): Signs and Sx
DUE TO: winter, low humidity, windy/cold/dry climates, hot showers/excessive soap, prolonged detergent use, malnutrition, dehydration, hypothyroidism, advanced age
1 Roughness 2 Scaling 3 Loss of flexibility 4 Fissures 5 Inflammation 6 Pruritis 7 “Cracked” appearance, esp on arms and legs
DRY SKIN (XEROSIS): TREATMENT
Treatment similar to Chronic Dermatitis
Bathing
- Limits baths/showers to 3-5 minutes 2-3x/week
- Can add bath oil to baths. Tepid water baths, not hot
- Bath products: avoid soap-use non-soap cleansers
- Pat body dry, and apply body moisturizer within 3 minutes of leaving bath
Moisturization: Apply at least TID
If itching
- Apply a more lubricating moisturizer, and/or
- Topical hydrocortisone 0.5-1% ointment BID-QID for up to 7 days if needed
- See PCP if no resolution within 1-2 weeks
Stay well hydrated
Increase room humidity with a humidifier
IRRITANT CONTACT DERMATITIS (ICD): Sx
Acute
1 Inflammation, redness, swelling
2 Itching, burning, stinging
3 Crusting may occur within days
*If remove irritant, resolution in several days
*If chronically exposed to irritant, inflammation can persist and lead to fissures, scales, hyper-and hypo-pigmentation
Chronic
- Lichenification
IRRITANT CONTACT DERMATITIS: Tx (prev, non-pharm, pharm, avoid)
Prevention
- Using protective clothing, gloves or other equipment
- Frequent changes in coverings
Non-pharmacologic Treatment
- Immediate washing of area if exposed to an irritant
Pharmacologic Treatment
- Liberal application of emollients
- Assist in restoring moisture and protect stratum corneum from further damage
If itching: Colloidal oatmeal baths or Topical Hydrocortisone
AVOID: caine-type anesthetics, salicylic acid, lactic acid, urea, propylene glycol
ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS (ACD): Sx
Distribution and presentation of rash
Acute
- Rash presents as papules, small vesicles, sometimes large bullae over inflammed , swollen skin
- Significant itching
Chronic
- Lichenification
ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS (ACD): REFER
1 < 2 years of age
2 Dermatitis present for > 2 weeks
3 Involvement of > 20% of body surface area
4 Presence of numerous bullae
5 Extreme itching, irritation, or severe vesicle/bulla
6 Swelling of body/extremities/eyes
7 Involvement / discomfort of genitalia or mucus membranes
8 Signs of infection
9 Failure of self-management after 7 days
10 Low tolerance for pain, itching, or sx discomfort
11 Impairment of daily activities
ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS (ACD): Non-pharm
Removal of antigen
- Wash exposed area with soap and water
- Can use an urushiol cleanser: contains mineral spirits, water, soap, and a surface active agent
- Rub into area as soon as possible after exposure
- Aims to limit exposure to other areas of the body
- Cleanse area for a minimum of 2 minutes
Avoid cleaning with alcohol