dermatology Flashcards
cyst types
Epidermoid cyst - ‘Blackhead’
Sebaceous cyst - ‘Whitehead’
Dermoid cyst - Can contain hair (or teeth/other abnormal growths within -dependent on the location [ovaries])
what is tinea capitis
fungal infection of the scalp (scalp ringworm), which is a key cause of scarring hair loss in children
well-demarcated hair loss on the scalp
kerion- which are raised, pustular, boggy masses appearing as numerous bright yellow areas with the skin surface surrounded by regions of hair loss and flakiness.
what is Tinea corporis
dermatophyte fungal infections of the trunk / arms / legs
i.e ringworm
what is eczema
chronic atopic condition caused by defects in the normal continuity of the skin barrier, leading to inflammation in the skin
different types e.g. atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis
how to dx atopic dermatitis
an itchy skin condition plus 3/+ of:
- hx of involvement of the skin creases (eg. folds of elbows/behind knees)
- personal hx of asthma or hay fever (/hx atopic dis in 1st deg rel if < 4)
- hx of general dry skin in last yr
- visible flexural eczema (elsewhere if <4)
- onset < 2 yrs (not if <4)
acute changes in atopic dermatitis
erythema
swelling
crusting
erosions
fissuring
scaling
unclear boarders
hyper/hypopigmentation in darker skin
chronic changes in atopic dermatitis
scaling
lichenification (thick skin)
prurigo like lesions (nodules from scratching)
xerosis (v dry)
atopic stigmata in dermatitis
dennie morgan folds (under eyes)
keratosis pilaris
peri-orbital darkening
xerosis
what is eczema herpeticum
viral skin infection in patients with eczema caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) or varicella zoster virus (VZV)
presentation eczema herpeticum
patient who suffers with eczema that has developed a widespread, painful, vesicular rash with systemic symptoms such as fever, lethargy, irritability and reduced oral intake
- there will usually be lymphadenopathy
mx eczema herpeticum
ADMIT FOR IV ACICLOVIR ASAP
opthal if near eye
quantity of emollients needed per week in <12s
250-500g (500g is one big tub)
oitments are thicker creams are thinner
emollient safety advice
they are flammable (careful in px who smoke)
slip risk in bath
steroid ladder
Mild: Hydrocortisone 0.5%, 1% and 2.5%
Moderate: Eumovate (clobetasone butyrate 0.05%)
Potent: Betnovate (betamethasone 0.1%)
Very potent: Dermovate (clobetasol propionate 0.05%)
how to use topical steroids
use the weakest steroid for the shortest period required to get the skin under control
don’t use more than once daily
finger tip unit needed for area size of 2 palms
topical steroid SEs
skin thinning - can make the skin more prone to flares, bruising, tearing, stretch marks and telangiectasia
systemic absorption of the steroid
excessive hair growth
other options to steroid tx
topical calcineurin inhibitors
2dary care referral
- phototherapy
- systemic therapies (e.g. pred course, methotrexate, ciclosporin, axathioprin)
- biologics
2 types of contact dermatitis
irritant contact
allergic contact
what is irritant contact dermatitis
direct chemical / physical irritation to the skin
not a hypersensitivity reaction
do not need sensitisation
anyone affectedw
what is allergic contact dermatitis
type IV hypersensitivity reaction (delayed)
prior sensitisation needed
only ppl w allergy react
- patch testing done (not prick testing - that is done for type I immediate reactions)
what is nummular dermatitis
a pruritic eczematous dermatosis characterized by multiple coin-shaped lesions
what is stasis dermatitis
type of eczema that develops in people who have poor blood flow
often near ankles
older ppl, venous insuff
tx w compression
what is seborrheic dermatitis
chronic form of eczema - appears on the body where there are a lot of oil-producing (sebaceous) glands like the upper back, nose and SCALP
what is psoriasis
T cell mediated abnormal immune response resulting in keratinocyte proliferation
- dry, flaky, scaly, faintly erythematous skin lesions that appear in raised and rough plaques, over the extensor surfaces of the elbows and knees and on the scalp.
- clear borders
Plaque psoriasis
thickened erythematous plaques with silver scales, commonly seen on the extensor surfaces and scalp. The plaques are 1cm – 10cm in diameter.
Most common form of psoriasis in adults
Guttate psoriasis
commonly occurs in children.
- many small raised papules across the trunk and limbs - mildly erythematous and can be slightly scaly.
- RAINDROPS
- over time the papules -> plaques.
- often triggered by a STREPTOCOCCAL THROAT INFECTION, stress or medications.
- resolves spontaneously within 3 – 4 months.
Pustular psoriasis
rare severe form of psoriasis where pustules form under areas of erythematous skin. The pus in these areas is not infectious. Patients can be systemically unwell.
Medical emergency -> admission to hx
psoriasis triggers
infection (espesh guttate)
local skin injury - Koebner phenomenon (KP) = is the appearance of new skin lesions on previously unaffected skin secondary to trauma
obesity
smoking
alcohol
stress
HIV
drugs that can induce psoriasis
BBs
lithium
antimalarials
abx
NSAIDs
ACEi
Anti TNFs
systemic steroid withdrawal
Auspitz sign
small points of bleeding when plaques are scraped off
nail changes in psoriasis
nail pitting
leukonychia (white nails)
thickening, discolouration, ridging
onycholysis (separation of the nail from the nail bed)
flexural psoriasis
ie. inverse psoriasis - in axilla, groin, breasts etc
well demarcated shiny smooth plaques often lacking scale
fissuring
co-morbidities assoc w psoriasis
things that increase the risk of CVD -particularly obesity, hyperlipidaemia, HTN and DMT2
tx psoriasis
topicals =
emollients
steroids
coal tar
vitamin D analogues
calcineurin inhib
phototherapy
conventional systemics =
ciclosporin
methotrexate
acitretin
biologics =
all the -umabs
how long break in between courses of topical corticosteroids in patients with psoriasis
4 weeks
what is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
where a disproportional immune response causes epidermal necrosis
-> blistering and shedding of the top layer of skin.
Generally SJS affects <10% of body surface area + TEN affects >10%
causes of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Medications =
Anti-epileptics
Antibiotics
Allopurinol
NSAIDs
Infections =
Herpes simplex
Mycoplasma pneumonia
Cytomegalovirus
HIV
presentation of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
spectrum of severity
px start with non-specific symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, sore mouth, sore eyes and itchy skin.
then develop a purple or red rash that spreads across the skin and starts to blister.
a few says after this skin starts to break away + shed leaving the raw tissue underneath
pain, erythema, blistering to lips + mucus membranes
irritates + ulcerated eyes
can also affect the urinary tract, lungs and internal organs
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis mx
medical emergencies - admitted to a suitable dermatology or burns unit for treatment.
Supportive care - nutritional care, antiseptics, analgesia and ophthalmology input.
Treatment options include steroids, immunoglobulins and immunosuppressant medications guided by a specialist.
what is uticaria
hives - small itchy lumps that appear on the skin (maybe w rash, angioedema and flushing of the skin)
caused the release of histamine and other pro-inflammatory chemicals by mast cells in the skin (type 1 reaction - exaggerated IgE mediated immune responses)
- may be part of an allergic reaction in acute urticaria or an autoimmune reaction in chronic idiopathic urticaria.
causes of acute uticaria
triggered by something that stimulates the mast cells to release histamine. This may be:
Allergies to food, medications or animals
Contact with chemicals, latex or stinging nettles
Medications (common culprit drugs are the ‘As’: anticonvulsants, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), and allopurinol)
Viral infections
Insect bites
Dermatographism (rubbing of the skin)
types of chronic uticaria
an AI condition where autoantibodies target mast cells and trigger them to release histamines and other chemicals
Chronic idiopathic urticaria
Chronic inducible urticaria
Autoimmune urticaria (w other condition)
how can chronic inducible urticaria be triggered
Sunlight
Temperature change
Exercise
Strong emotions
Hot or cold weather
Pressure (dermatographism)
mx uticaria
non-sedating antihistamines (e.g. loratadine or cetirizine) - for up to 6 weeks following an episode
a sedating antihistamine (e.g. chlorphenamine) may be considered for night-time use (in addition to day-time non-sedating antihistamine) for troublesome sleep symptoms CKS
prednisolone is used for severe or resistant episodes
what is cellulitis
an infection of the skin and the soft tissues underneath
will be breach in skin barrier
cellulitis presentation
Erythema
Warm or hot to touch
Tense
Thickened
Oedematous
Bullae (fluid-filled blisters)
A golden-yellow crust indicates a staph aureus infection
systemically unwell - sepsis?
causes cellulitis
Staphylococcus aureus
Group A streptococcus (mainly streptococcus pyogenes)
Group C streptococcus (mainly streptococcus dysgalactiae)
consider MRSA
Eron classification cellulitis
Class 1 – no systemic toxicity or comorbidity
Class 2 – systemic toxicity or comorbidity
Class 3 – significant systemic toxicity or significant comorbidity
Class 4 – sepsis or life-threatening infection
mx cellulitis
class 3/4/v old/v young/immunocomp/near face= admission for IV abx
abx = FLUCLOXACILLIN (oral or IV)
alts = Clarithromycin
Clindamycin
Co-amoxiclav (the usual first choice for cellulitis near the eyes or nose)
what is melanoma
malignant neoplasm of melanocytes
RFs melanoma
age
UV exposure
skin type (paler)
>100 melanocytic naevi (having lots of moles)
>5 atypical naevi
multiple solar lentigines
FHx
personal hx
familial melanoma
CDKN2A
red flags skin lesion
asymmetry
irregular border
multiple colours
>7mm diameter
evolution
7 pt weighted checklist for skin lesions
need 3+ for referral
major features (2 pts each)
change in size
irreg shape
irreg colour
minor features (1)
largest diameter >7mm
inflam
oozing or crusting
change in sensation (inc itch)
what is acral lentiginous melanoma
palms soles or nails
no connection to UV
equal incidence in all skin (so most common for darker skin to get)
presents late so worse prog
what is lentigo maligna melanoma
elders
chronic accum sun exposure
on face
on sun damaged skin
(darkened bits)
what is nodular melanoma
red/black lump which bleeds/oozes
early vertical growth phase
most aggressive
males
trunk, head, neck
(can seem more symm w reg borders but is pigmented + growing)
what is superficial spreading melanoma
most common
prolonged radial growth phase
trunk in males
legs in females
what is amelanotic melanoma
hx rapid growth
residual pigment
look pink and stick out
what is used to help stage melanoma
breslow thickness
stage 0 melanoma
in situ
stage 1 melanoma
thinner tumours confined to skin (almost 100% 5+ yr survival)
stage 2 melanoma
thicker tumours confined to skin (80%)
stage 3 melanoma
lymph node involvement (70%)
stage 4 melanoma
distant mets (30%)
mx melanoma
GP 2 wk wait referral
diagnostic excision of pigmented skin lesion w 2mm peripheral margin
wide local excision
test for BRAF mutation (causes it to grow more aggressively)
what is a sentinel lymph node biopsy
take out nearest draining lymph node as well (use dye to see)
tx stage 3/4 melanomas
Targeted therapy:
BRAF (protein that helps control cell growth) inhibitors
- dabrafenib
MEK inhibitors
- trametinib
Immunotherapy
Anti CTLA4 antibody
Anti PD1 antibody
rarely use radio or chemo
RFs for non-melanoma skin cancer
UV exposure
- SCCs = chronic cumulative
- BCCs = intermittent intense
pale skin
age
immune suppression (SCC)
ionising radiation
chronic wounds (SCC)
smoking (SCC)
HPC (SCC)
genetic syndromes
what is actinic keratosis
dry, scaly patches of skin that have been damaged by the sun
partial thickness dysplasia of epidermal keratinocytes
begins in basal layer
no BM invasion
flesh-coloured, irregularly shaped, small macules/plaques
small
devs over yrs at sun exposed sites
v small no progress to SCC
no reg flag sx
tx actinic keratosis
prev further risk
topical tx
-fluorouracil cream
- diclofenac
- imiquimod
Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
discrete lesions:
cryotherapy
C&C
refer if does not resolve/unsure dx
what is bowen’s disease
precancerous dermatosis
SCC IN SITU
full thickness dysplasia of epidermal keratinocytes
more of a well defined plaque
cant met
develop over yrs at sun exposed sites