Dermatology Flashcards
What are the three layers of the skin
Epidermis
Dermis
Hypodermis
Name 4 functions of the skin
Provide an anatomical barrier
Main method of heat regulation
Sensory input form the body
Storage for lipids and water
What is commensal flora
Commensal flora is the normal colonisation that inhibits pathogens in a heathy host
Normal skin has 50 million organisms whereas oily skin has about 500 million organisms.
What re some features of oily skin
They have more secretion from the sebaceous glands
The skin tends to become heavier and thicker
They are more at risk of pore blockages and therefore ‘spots and pimples’
What is a comedone
A comedone is essentially a blackhead.
It is a feature of acne vulgaris.
It is a build up of keratin and sebum and it turns’ black’ when the blocked pores oxide
What is a furuncle and what organism is it caused by
It is an infection of the skin, pockets filled with pus.
The organism involved is staphylococcus aures
If furuncles are grouped together what is this called
Carbuncles
Folliculitis is what
Furuncle in the hair follicle
What percentage of teenagers aged from 13-18 are affected by acne?
80%
What are some causes of acne?
Follicular sensitivity to testosterone ( increase around puberty)
Propionibacterium acnes overgrows and leads to infections and cysts
What are some things that can are acne worse
Certain contraceptive pills
Greasy skin cleaners
Some anticonvulsant drugs
Squeezing the spots
Acne can be managed locally, how?
Reducing excess skin oil - cleanser
Antibacterial agents
- benzoyl peroxide
- antibiotic lotions
If the local treatment of acne fails what other method can be used.
Antibiotics can be given - minocylin
Hormone manipulation can be used - anti-androgens
What is erysipelas and what bacteria is it caused by
It is a skin infection involving the dermis layer of the skin, defined by a sharp raised border.
Caused by streptococcus pygenes
Erysipelas is managed with systemic antibiotics ( oral or IV)
If this consditon is not managed what can it lead to ?
Necrotising fasciitis
Septic shock
Guess the disease
Highly infectious skin disease
Staphylococcal or streptococcal
Crusty red booster appearance
Often associated with eczema
Impetigo
How is impetigo treated
Often with topical antibiotics (can be systemic)
Antibiotic found from culture
Name 4 bacteria infections of the skin
Furuncles
Acne
Erysipelas
Impetigo
Name 4 viral skin infections
Herpes simplex
Shingles
Molluscum Contagiosm
Warts
Herpes simplex infection affects single dermatome or adjacent dermatome. How is this infection activated and how is it treated
It is activatated by ‘trauma’
- physical, chemical, UV light, run down
It is treated with aciclovir
Shingles is also known as…
Herpes zoster infection
Shingle affects a single dermatolome and causes significant pain. How do. We treat this
Treat with high dose aciclovir
What is molluscum contagiosum, do we treat and who does it usually affect
Viral infection of the skin caused by MCV - pox virus
Resolves spontaneously in 1-2 years
Usually affects infants and small. Children
Clusters of smalll papules
Human papilloma virus has many types, which types cause warts
1 -3
HPV a well as causing warts can cause cervical cancer, what types are responsible for this?
16 and 18
Athletes foot is. Typically a mixed bacterial and fungal infection, how does it present and how do we treate
It typically affects in between the toes - groin involvement also common
Scaling and sogginess of the skin
Prevent this by keeping skin clean and dry and damage freee
Treatment — miconazole
What is onycholysis?
It is a nail bed fungal infection usually tinea unguium infection
The nail becomes thick and malformed and may crumble
What condition would unguium be seen in
Onycholysis - fungal nail bed infection
Despite its name ringworm doesn’t have anything to with worms, it is a fungal skin infection that presents as a red circular rash.
What three areas are commonly affected and what fungi is involved?
Groin - tinea Crusis
Body - tinea corporis
Scalp - tinea capittis
What is the name of the fungal infection found due to chaffing in moist body folds and how do we treat it
Intertrigo
Treat with topical anti fungal cream - miconaazole
Pityriasis versicolour results in patchy skin pigmentation and is usually caused by what
Pityrosporum orbiculare
Can be seen in cradle cap
What are the two skin infestations
Scabies
Lice
What is scabies caused by
Invasion of the scabies mite - sarcoptes scabiei
Skin to skin contact
What are the most common signs of scabies
Skin rash and itchiness on trunk and limbs
Wha is the treatment for scabies
Use chemical insecticides
Benzyl Benzoate
Apply to the whole body from chin down
What are three types of lice
Head
Pubic
Body
Name three inflammatory skin diseases
Eczema
Occupational dermatitis
Psoriasis
Where does eczema most commonly affect?
Usually affects FLEXOR surfaces of skin or trunk
Atopic eczema is the most common form of eczema, what are some features of it
Develops in childhood - usually improves with age
Tends to run n families
Associated with other atopic conditions such as hay fever and asth,a
Other than atopic eczema what other kinds can you get
Contact - this is when there is contact with an allergen ( perfume soap)
Seborrhoeic - scalp and eyelashes ( serve dandruff )
Discoid - circular patches on the body
Gravitational - related to poor circulate in the legs
What are some common triggers of eczema
Stress
Menstruation
Illnesss
Weather
In eczema management how does a corticosteroids work
Removes the inflammation and allows the skin to return to normal
What is occupational dermatitis
This is a reactio to an environmental agent
That usually results in a rash
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease - the cause of which is unknown ( 2% of the population suffer from this)
What is it
Dysregualted epidermal proliferation
- new cells produced faster than the old cells are lost
- skim surface builds up and thickens
Red scaly patches that can become itchy
There is not one cleat treatment for psoriasis, suggest some methods
Initially topical - emollients , topical steroid
PUVA
What is PUVA with regards to psoriasis treatment
Psoralen UV light A
Topical drug activated by UV light
What is the effect of systemic medication such as methotrexate or cicolosporin in psoriasis
These drugs reduce the cell turnover
What happens in immunological. Skin disease
Auto-antibody attack on skin components causing loss of cell-cell adhesion
This causes a split to form in the skin which fills with inflammatory exudate - forming a blister
Where does the skin and oral mucosa share many common antigens and epitopes with?
Genital mucosa
Guess the diesease
-SUB epithelial antibody attach
Thick walled blisters - clear or blood filed
Pemphigoid
What is pemphigus?
A disease causing blistering of the skin, oral mucosa, nose throat eyes and genital
What kind of pemphigus affects the oral mucosa
Vulgaris
What is epidermolysis bullosa and what problems can it cause
This is a group of conditions which cause the skin to blister easily
It can cause infection fluid loss and scarring
