Dermatology Flashcards
define acne vulgaris
chronic inflammatory skin condition
mainly affects face, back and chest
blockage and inflammation of pilosebaceous unit
presents with lesions - non inflammatory (comedones), inflammatory (papules, pustules) or mixture
what are some complications of acne?
scarring, post inflammation hyperpigmentation or depigmentation and anxiety or depression
what advice should be given for acne?
avoid over cleaning skin
avoid non alkaline synthetic detergent
avoid oil based products - make up, sunscreen
avoid picking
tx are effective but can take 6-8 wks to work
how should mild to moderate acne be managed?
12 week course of one of:
topical adapalene with topical benzoyl peroxide
topical tretinion with topical clindamycin
topical benzoyl peroxide with topical clindamycin
how should moderate to severe acne be managed?
12 week course of one of:
topical adapalene with topical benzoyl peroxide
topical tretinion with topical clindamycin
topical benzoyl peroxide with topical clindamycin + either oral lymecycline or oral doxy
topical azelaic acid with oral lymecycline or oral doxy
when should urgent referral for acne vulgaris be made?
acne fulminans - same day on call hospital dermatology team within 24 hrs
when should referral to consultant dermatologist team be made for acne?
not responded to tx
acne with scarring or persistent pigmentation
contribution to mental health
what are the layers of the skin?
epidermis (outer - stratum corneum) + langerhans cells
dermis - collagen, fibrinogen, nerve endings, hair follicles, blood vessels
subcut tissue, protective padding
pathophysiology of psoriasis
increased cell turnover - hyperproliferation of epidermis…scaling, dilation of blood vessels - erythema
history
PC - rash v lesion, site, evolution, duration- acute/chronic, distribution - symmetrical/asymmetrical, flexors/extensors, mucous membranes, sun exposed sites
hx - sx - itching, soreness, exacerbating, relieving, PMH, personal and family hx of skin disease including atopy, drug hx, social, occupation and travel hx +/- sexual hx, psychosocial impact of skin disease, previous and current treatments, hx of skin cancer, sun bed use, occupation - UV exposure
examination
good light and magnifying glass
INSPECT, PALPATE, DESCRIBE, SYSTEMATIC CHECK of whole skin/nails etc
should include hair/scalp, nails, mucous membranes
palpate - ear gloves if infection suspected
comment on morphology - look, distribution, sites, dermatomal
examine other systems if appropariate -joints, LN’s
Site (rash) or size/shape (lesion) Colour Associated changed Morphology
Asymmetry, Border, Colour, Diameter for pigmented lesions
distribution - generalised, flexural, extensor, photosensitive
configuration - discrete, confluent, linear, target
colour - erythematous, purpuric, brown/black, hypopigmented
surface - scale, crust, excoriation, erosion/ulceration
morphology - macule, papule, patch, plaque, nodule, vesicle, pustule, bulla
papule
small lump <5mm
nodule
larger lump 5-10mm
erythema
redness
vesicle
small water blister
bulla
large water blister
pustule
pus filled vesicle
telangiecta
thread vein
alopecia
hair loss/thinning
hirsutism
hairiness
excoriations
scratch marks
striae
stretch marks
pruritus
itching
macule
non palpable area
patch
discoloutation
plaque
macule >2cm
erosion
palpable, flat topped area >1-2cm
ulcer
2cm
lichenification
loss of epidermis, loss of epidermis and dermis, thickening of skin with exaggerated skin markings
how are skin types defined?
fitzpatrick skin types
white - 3 types from always burns to sometimes burns
moderate brown
dark brown
black
annular
ring shaped
wheal
urticaria
discoid
shape
comedone
open or closed
hypertrichosis v hirscuitism
both excess hair growth - latter in males
nail findings
koilonychia
pitting
oncholysis
clubbing
what are the sx to ask for in a dermatology hx?
pigmentation
dry skin
open sores, lesions, ulcers
peeling
rashes
itchiness
pain
red,white or pus filled bumps
scaly or rough skin
changes in mole colour size
loss of skin pigment
excessive flushing
bleeding or discharge
systemic sx - pyrexia, malaise, joint pain, swelling, weight loss
tenderness
history
PC - rash v lesion, site, evolution, duration- acute/chronic, distribution - symmetrical/asymmetrical, flexors/extensors, mucous membranes, sun exposed sites
hx - sx - itching, soreness, exacerbating, relieving, PMH, personal and family hx of skin disease including atopy, drug hx, social, occupation and travel hx +/- sexual hx, psychosocial impact of skin disease, previous and current treatments, hx of skin cancer, sun bed use, occupation - UV exposure, improvemenet of lesions when away from work
what are the psychosocial aspects of a hx which are important?
impact on ADL’s
embarassment
pain
chronic conditions
what are the thinnest sites of the skin?
scrotum and eyelids
what is the normal pH of the skin and why is this?
5.5
creates acid mantle…acidic substances such as amino acids, lactic acids and fatty acids in perspiration, sebum and horones
there are resident protective microflora and acididc cond repel pathogens and reduce body odour
haemosiderin
colour - red brown
where is melanin found?
epidermis
what are the key components of the skin?
epidermis -stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum corneum — keratinocytes, langerhans cells, melanocytes, merkel cells present
dermis - collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, immune cells, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics