Dermatology Flashcards
Define androgenic alopecia
Progressive baldness
Symptoms of androgenic alopecia
- Usual pattern: bi-temporal recession; front and side thinning; hair often spared at occiput and thin band at sides (horse-shoe shape)
- Normal hair loss: 50-100/day
Cause of androgenic alopecia
In females, a loss of oestrogen increases the testosterone levels, leading to thinning
Treatment for androgenic alopecia
Private only:
- Minoxidil
- Finasteride (male only)
What is onychomycosis?
Fungal infection of the nail plate
Types of nail infection and symptoms
- Distal & lateral subungual
- Yellow/white, nail separates from bed - Superficial white
- Nail soft, dry, powdery; adherent to bed; not thick - Proximal subungual
- Nail surface intact; debris causes nail separation - Candida
- Thick nail plate, yellow/brown colour
Diagnostic test for onychomycosis
Nail Clippings : microscopy & culture
Diagnosis cannot be made clinically alone!
what is paronychia?
acute infection usually caused by s.aureus
Symptoms of paronychia
Erythematous, painful, throbbing, swollen lateral or proximal nail fold;
+/- purulence/abscess
Management of paronychia
- Warm soaks
- Incision and drainage – for fluctuant pus collection or abcess
- Minor localised infection: fucidic acid
- Flucloxacillin - Release purulence if possible (consider I&D)
What is atopic eczema?
Atopic eczema is a chronic, itchy, inflammatory skin condition.
- Affects all ages - most common in childhood
Symptoms of atopic eczema
Dry skin on:
• Neck
• Flexor surfaces of limbs
• Hands
Itchy, erythematous rash
Management of atopic eczema
1 - Emollients:
- > during both acute flares and remissions of the condition
- > cream soak faster than ointments
2 - Topical steroids:
- > for red, inflamed skin.
- > The lowest potency and amount necessary to control symptoms should be prescribed, depending on severity of flare
- > emolient first, wait 30 mins, steroid after.
3 - Consider a non-sedating antihistamine for 1 month if there is persistent, severe itch
4 - Severe extensive eczema = a short course of oral corticosteroids
5 - If eczema is weeping, crusted or there are pustules with fever or malaise = prescribe antibiotics (ciclosporin)
Examples of steroids
Mild: hydrocortisone
Moderate: betamethasone
Strong: hydrocortisone 0.1 %, fluticasone
Very strong: Clobetasol
What is contact dermatitis?
any inflammatory reaction of the skin that results from direct contact with an offending agent
Types of contact dermatitis
- Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) = caused by chemical irritant
- Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) = caused by an antigen (allergen) that elicits a type IV (cell-mediated or delayed) hypersensitivity reaction
Difference in symptoms between ICD & ACD
ICD:
- Lesions erythematous,
- vesicles & crusting (rare)
- Sharp margins strictly confined to site of exposure
- Rapid onset (few hrs after exposure)
ACD:
- Lesions may be erythematous, papules, vesicles, erosions, crusts, scaling
- Initial sharp margins confined to site of exposure then spreading to periphery
- Onset 12-72hrs after exposure
- ITCHING!
Management of contact dermatitis
- Prevent exposure, decontaminate after exposure with soap and water
- Itch relief with Aveeno (oatmeal) baths, Calamine lotion, cool compresses and oral antihistamines
- Moderate/high potency topical steroids = ACD
- Consider systemic steroids if severe reaction
- Oral prednisone taper over 7-21 days. Tapering too soon can lead to rebound flare
define nappy rash
Nappy rash is an acute inflammatory reaction of the skin in the nappy area, which is most commonly caused by an irritant contact dermatitis.
Symptoms of nappy rash
Rash: well-defined areas of confluent erythema and scattered papules over convex surfaces
Management of nappy rash
- disposable nappies are preferable to towel nappies
- expose napkin area to air when possible
- apply barrier cream (e.g. Zinc and castor oil)
- rash is inflamed: mild steroid cream (e.g. 1% hydrocortisone) in severe cases
- suspected candida nappy rash: topical imidazole.
- Cease the use of a barrier cream until the candida has settled - Rash persistent and bacterial infection: oral flucloxacillin (clarithromycin)
What is perioral dermatitis?
Associated w/ topical steroid use – direct or indirect (inadvertent transfer)
Features of perioral dermatitis
- clustered erythematous papules, papulovesicles and papulopustules
- most commonly in the perioral region but also the perinasal and periocular region
Management of perioral dermatitis
- steroids may worsen symptoms
2. should be treated with topical or oral antibiotics (e.g. lymecycline)