Dermatology Flashcards
What is the cause of chickenpox?
Varicella zoster virus
Describe the spread of the rash in chickenpox.
Starts on the trunk or face and spreads outwards to the rest of the body
What are the clinical features of chickenpox?
1st symptom: Fever
Itch
Rash
General fatigue and malaise
What are the potential complications of chickenpox?
Bacterial superinfection Dehydration Conjunctival lesions Pneumonia Encephalitis (presents as ataxia)
How should chickenpox be managed?
Self-limiting, recommend calamine lotion for itching
Aciclovir - immunocompromised, adults, adolescents >14, neonates, high-risk patients
Stay off school until lesions crust over
Describe the appearance of the rash in chickenpox.
Widespread
Erythematous
Raised vesicular, blistering lesions
What is the cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Coxsackie A16 virus
Describe the typical presentation of hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Starts with viral URTI symptoms (tiredness, sore throat, dry cough, fever)
After 1-2days mouth ulcers appear, particularly on the tongue
Followed by blistering red spots across the body
Spots are most notable on hands, feet, and around the mouth
Rash may be itchy
What is the management for hand, foot and mouth disease?
Supportive - adequate fluids and analgesia
Resolves spontaneously in 7-10 days
No isolation required
What are the potential complications of hand, foot and mouth disease?
Dehydration
Bacterial superinfection
Encephalitis
What is the cause of measles?
Measles virus
Describe the spread of the rash in measles.
Starts on the face (usually behind the ears) 3-5 days after a fever
Then spreads to rest of body
Describe the appearance of the rash seen in measles.
Erythematous, macular rash with flat lesions
What are the clinical features of measles (beside a rash)?
Fever
Coryzal symptoms
Conjunctivitis
Koplik spots (pathognomic for measles)
What is the management for measles?
Supportive
Isolate until 4 days after symptoms resolve
What are the potential complications of measles?
Pneumonia Diarrhoea Dehydration Encephalitis Meningitis Hearing loss Vision loss Death
What is the cause of scarlet fever?
Streptococcus pyogenes (produced by group A streptococcus)
Describe the spread of the rash in scarlet fever.
Starts on the trunk and spreads outwards
Describe the appearance of the rash seen in scarlet fever.
Red-pink, blotchy, macular rash
Texture of skin described as rough “sandpaper” skin
What are the other clinical features of scarlet fever (besides a rash)?
Fever Lethargy Flushed face Sore throat Strawberry tongue Cervical lymphadenopathy
What is the management for scarlet fever?
Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) for 10 days
Children should be isolated until 24h after starting abx
What is the cause of rubella?
Rubella virus
Describe the spread of the rash seen in rubella.
Starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body
Describe the appearance on the rash seen in rubella.
Erythematous macular rash that lasts ~3 days
