Dermatology

Question 1

what are some adverse effects of retinoids?

Answer 1

1) teratogenicity
2) dry skin, eyes, lips, mouth
3) low mood
4) raised triglycerides
5) hair thinning
6) nosebleeds
7) intracranial hypertension
8) photosensitivity

Question 2

what things may exacerbate psoriasis?

Answer 2

1) trauma
2) alcohol
3) medications
- beta blockers
- lithium
- NSIADs
- ACEIs
- antimalarials (hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine)
- infliximab
- withdrawal of systemic steroids

strep infection may trigger guttate psoriasis

Question 3

what is wallace’s rule of nines?

Answer 3

used to assess extent of a burn

each of the following parts = 9%

head + neck
each arm
each anterior leg
each posterior leg
anterior chest
posterior chest
anterior abdomen
posterior abdomen

Question 4

what are the different depths of burn?

Answer 4

1) superficial
- red and painful, dry, no blisters

2) partial thickness (superficial dermal)
- pale pink, painful, blistered, reduced CRT

3) partial thickness (deep dermal)
- typically white, may have patches of non-blanching erythema, reduced sensation, painful to deep pressure

4) full thickness
- white/brown, waxy/leathery/black, no blisters, no pain

Question 5

what is pellagra?

Answer 5

caused by nicotinic acid (niacin/vitamin B3) deficiency

classic three D’s: dementia, diarrhoea, dermatitis

can result in death if not treated

Question 6

what are the three P’s of lichen planus?

Answer 6

purple, polygonal, pruritic plaques

Question 7

what causes erythema nodosum?

Answer 7

1) infection

2) systemic disease
- sarcoidosis
- IBD
- Behcet’s

3) malignancy

4) drugs
- penicillin
- sulfonamides
- COCP
- pregnancy

Question 7

what is erythema nodosum?

Answer 7

inflammation of subcutaneous fat

causes erythematous, tender lesions typically over shins

usually resolves in 6 weeks or so