Dermatological terminology Flashcards
Cellulitis and erysipelas
Cellulitis
- inflammation of dermal + subcutaneous connective tissue caused by bacteria
- Erysipelas is inflammation of dermis + upper subcutaneous tissue - form of cellulitis
- area raised above surrounding tissue
- redness of skin, pain and swelling
- mostly affects lower limbs
Severe cellulitis
- rapid progression of swelling, blistering + systemic upset
- Treatment; antibiotics, elevation
Impetigo
- Highly contagious
- yellow fluid-containing vesicles/pustules that rupture to form a golden / brown crusting
- Treatment = antibacterial cream
Cutaneous abscess
Abscess defined as a collection of pus in the dermis + deeper skin tissues
- breaks in skin can give rise to infection, that through necrosis + liquefaction can lead to abscess formation
- typically surrounded by erythematous tissue
- treatment; incision + drainage
- wound should be left open to promote continued drainage of any residual septic material
- if abscess results from hair follicle = pilonidal abscess
Furuncle and carbuncle
- Staphylococcal hair follicle infection common
- A furuncle (boil) = more extensive infection at base of hair follicle
- a carbuncle occurs when several furuncles in same site = inflammatory mass
Hidradentitis suprative
recurrent abscess formation in areas of body that produce high concentrations of sweat e.g. axilla, breast, thigh, groin + buttocks
Animal + human bite wounds
Cat bites
- carry higher risk of osteomyelitis, abscess formation + septic arthritis as they have pointed hollow teeth
Human bites
- tend to be occlusive wounds (teeth enclosed in an area of tissue)
Oral amoxicillin
Viral soft tissue infections
Herpes simplex
- cold sore
- hyperaesthesia of skin, vesicle formation progresses into a painful ulceration
- virus remains dormant in trigeminal ganglia - can be reactivated
- Antiviral cream
Varicella zoster (chicken pox + shingles)
- chicken pox - manifests as pyrexial illness with myalgia + headache, followed by macular to vesicular rash
- virus lays dormant in dorsal root + cranial nerve ganglia - can present later in life as shingles
- shingle - antiviral medication e.g. acyclovir used to reduce illness + risk of developing post infective neuralgia
Molluscum contagiosum
- pearly or skin coloured papules
- highly infectious + debilitating
Fungal soft tissue infections
Tinea pedis (athletes foot)
- jungle infection between toes
- treatment; topical anti fungal agents
- breaks in skin can lead to cellulitis
Candida albicans
- commensal of mouth - can cause infection of skin
- e.g. genital thrush (white plaques + white vaginal discharge)
Tinea capitis
- fungal infection of scalp
- areas of alopecia
- treatment - anti fungal
Infestations
Scabies
- skin eruptions (papules, vesicles, pustules + nodules) that arise from burrows made from mite (sarcoptes scabiei)
- most common infected areas; hands/wrists, feet, ankles, genitalia, buttocks + abdomen
- crusted scabies - found in immunocompromised + elderly pts
DON’T MISS - SKIN
Necrotising Fasciitis
- infection of subcutaneous tissues
- initially resembles cellulitis but severe pain
- systemic toxicity with high temps + features of sepsis
Treatment; debridement, antibiotics
PRIMARY SKIN LESIONS
MACULES
Small, flat areas of change in skin colour
e.g. freckles
PRIMARY SKIN LESIONS
PATCHES
Larger, flat areas of change in skin colour
PRIMARY SKIN LESIONS
PAPULES
Elevated lesions <1 cm
PRIMARY SKIN LESIONS
PLAQUES
Raised lesions >1 cm
Surface area is greater than elevation
e.g. psoriasis
PRIMARY SKIN LESIONS
VESICLES
Small, raised cavities containing fluid <1 cm
e.g. chicken pox
What is pruritus?
Itch
- normal body response-protection from external factors
- rush of cytokines + histamine to an area
- can cause excoriation
Primary skin disorders causing pruritus
- dry skin
- psoriasis
- scabies
- urticaria
Systemic conditions causing pruritus
- cholestasis
- chronic kidney disease
- pregnancy
- lymphoma
- iron deficiency
- endocrine disease e.g diabetes
What causes dry skin?
Occurs when skin loses excessive water or oil
- age
- weather
- eczema
- chlorine
- excessive hand washing
What conditions cause skin discolouration?
Erythema
- skin redness caused by skin injury, infection or inflammation
- dilation + irritation of superficial capillaries
Jaundice
- yellowing of skin due to build of of bilirubin
Hyperpigmentation
- patches of darker skin due to excess melanin
Hypopigmentation
- patches of lighter skin
What is oedema?
- Excess fluid collecting in tissues
- angioedema = rapid swelling of dermis, subcucatenous tissue or mucosa
What is discharge / exudate?
- Pus discharge from infection - made from dead leukocytes, tissue and debris
- Yellowy fluid discharge from impetigo
- Fluid filled blisters (bullous pemphigoid)
- Fluid cushions tissue underneath , protecting from further damage
What causes an ulcer?
Inadequate blood flow + repercussion injury
- ischaemia + cell death
Define dermatology
The study of both normal and abnormal skin and associated structures such as hair, nails, and oral and genital mucous membranes. Primarily the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders.
What is flexural distribution?
Occurring in the flexor surfaces, such as the antecubital fossa and back of the knee.
What is extensor distribution?
Occurring on the extensor surfaces, such as over the tip of the elbow and usually just below the patella.
