Dermatology Flashcards
First degree burn
dry, red, no blisters
-involves the epidermis only
Second degree burn
= partial thickness burn
moist, blisters, extends beyond the epidermis
Third degree burn
= full thickness burn
dry, leathery, black, pearly, waxy
extends from epidermis to dermis to underlying tissues, fat, muscle, and/or bone
Rule of 9s to measure the extent of burn body surface injury only applies after the age of
9
Primary management of burns
- Assess ABCs. Intubate if necessary.
- Drench the burn thoroughly with cool (not icey) water to prevent further damage and remove all burn clothing - this stops the burn.
- Do NOT cover with lotion, toothpaste, butter, etc.
- If the burn is limited, immerse the site in cold water for 30 minutes to reduce pain; then, apply a clean wrap.
- If the area of the burn is large, after it has been doused with cool water, apply clean wraps about the burned area to prevent systematic heat loss and hypothermia.
- Hypothermia is a particular risk in young children.
- The first 6 hours following the injury are critical - transport a patient with severe burns to the hospital ASAP.
Burn patients will require prophylactic intubation if
- singed nares or eyebrows
- evaluate nares/mouth for soot/mucous
Evaluation of skin disorders must identify what 3 things?
Morphology
Configuration
Distribution
Morphology
The character of the lesion itself
Macule
A flat discoloration
ex: ephelides (freckles), petechia, flat nevi (moles)
Patch
A flat discoloration that looks as thought it is a collection of multiple, tiny pigment changes
- may be some subtle surface change
ex: Mongolian spot, cafe au lait spot
Nodule
An elevated, firm lesion > 1 cm
ex: Xanthoma and fibroma
Tumor
A firm, elevated lump
ex: benign or malignant
Papule
A small < 1 cm, elevated, firm skin lesion
ex: ant bite, elevated nevus (mole), verruca (wart)
Plaque
A scaly, elevated lesion
ex: classic psoriasis lesion
Vesicle
A small < 1 cm lesion filled with serous fluid (clear liquid)
ex: herpes simplex, varicella (chicken pox), herpes zoster (shingles)
Bulla
Serous fluid-filled vesicle > 1 cm
- a big vesicle
ex: burns, superficial blister, contact dermatitis
Wheal
A lesion raises about the surface and extending a bit below the epidermis
- many times an allergic reaction/response (either contact or systemic
ex: PPD test and mosquito bites
Pustule
A small < 1 cm pus-filled lesion
ex: acne and impetigo
Abscess
A pus-filled lesion > 1 cm
*a great big pustule
Cyst
Large, raised lesions filled with serous fluid, blood, and pus
Primary lesion
First appearing
Secondary lesions
Follows primary lesions
Configuration
How the lesions present on the body
Solitary or discrete configuration
Individual or distinct lesions that remain separate
Grouped configuration
Linear cluster
Confluent configuration
Lesions that run together
Linear configuration
Scratch, streak, LINE, or stripe
Annular configuration
Circular, beginning in the center and spreading to the periphery
Polycyclic configuration
Annular lesions merge
Distribution
Where the lesions appear on the body
Ex: face, trunk, upper extremities, groin, dermatomal, feet, axilla
Acne
A polymorphic skin disorder characterized by comedones, papule, bustles, and cysts
- cause unknown by appears to be activated by androgens in genetically predisposed individuals
- can be exacerbated by steroids and anticonvulsants
- more common and severe in males
- *food has NOT been demonstrated to be a contributing factor
S/S of acne
- Comedones, papules, bustles, nodules, and/or cysts on the face and/or upper trunk
- Depressed or hypertrophic scars
- In women, may be exacerbated just prior to menses
Open comedones
Blackheads - opening in the skin capped with blackened mass of skin debris
Closed comedones
Whiteheads - obstructed opening which may rupture, causing a low-grade local inflammatory reaction
Labs/diagnostics for acne
NONE indicated, except to identify causative organism in atypical folliculitis
Non-pharmacologic management of acne
- avoidance of topical, oil-based products
- use of oil-free, mild soaps, cleansers, and moisturizers
Pharmacologic management of mild acne
- Topical treatment with Benzoyl peroxide (2.5-10%)
- - If not responsive, retinoic acid (0.025-0.1%) cream or gel (pregnancy category C)
- - Tretinoin is inactivated by UV light and oxidized by benzoyl peroxide; this agent should only be applied at night and not used concomitantly with benzoyl peroxide - Salicyclic acid preparations (Neutrogena 2% wash)
- Topical antibiotics: Erythromycin or clindamycin lotion or pads (d/t staph infections)
Pharmacologic management of moderate (or severe pustular) acne
Requires systematic antibiotics along with topical treatments
- use -cyclines first, followed by macrolides if needed
- Doxycycline: 100 mg BID
- Erythromycin: 1 g in 2-3 divided doses
- Minocycline: 50-100 mg BID
Fungal infections
- a variety of fungal infections disguised by the causal species of fungi and the location on the body
- Trichophyton (80%) and Microsporum causative agents in most fungal infections
- pharmacologic management centers on anti-fungal therapy and the prevention of transmission
Tinea capitis
Fungal infection on scalp
Tinea corporis
Body ringworm (fungal infection on body)
Tinea cruris
Jock itch (fungal infection)
Tinea magnum and tine pedis
Athlete’s foot (fungal)
Tinea versicolor
Hypo/hyperpigmentation macules on limbs
S/S of fungal infection
- *vary by location on body
1. May be asymptomatic (capitits)
2. Some forms presents with severe itching (cruris and pedis)
3. Erythematous rings (corporis)
4. Solitary areas of hypo pigmentation or hyperpigmentation (versicolor)
Labs/diagnostics for fungal infection
“Spaghetti and meatballs” hyphae microscopically when treated with potassium hydroxide (KOH)
Primary treatment for fungal infections
Griseofulvin 20mg/kg/day for 6 weeks
*big or severe lesions, skip topical and go right to systemic antifungals
Treatment for tinea capitis
Primary management is Griseofulvin 20mg/kg/day for 6 weeks
Treatment for tinea corporsis
Use of topical antifungals is usually adequate:
Miconazole 2%
Ketoconazole 2%
Treatment for tinea cruris
Topical antifungals (Miconazole 2%, Ketoconazole 2%)
Terbinafine cream curative in more than 80% of cases when used BID x 7 days
Griseofulvin 20mg/kg/day for 6 weeks for severe cases