Dermatology Flashcards
TF: skin conditions can be linked to increased risk of CVD
TRUE: psoriasis and eczema in particular
what is the most common type of eczema? ____%
atopic- 80%
what other type of eczema can be associated with atopic?
lichen- thick hardened skin from scratching
why must you be careful using the word dermatitis?
means external cause which isn’t always the case
eczema affects what ages?
any age but most common in children
____% present in the first 6 months of life
50
TF: eczema has variations between different genders and ethnicities?
false
by the age of 7 ____% of eczema cases have cleared
65
by the age of 16 ____% of cases have cleared
75
1/___ have severe chronic eczema
20
what are features of the skin barrier in eczema?
dysfunctional skin barrier- altered conversion of keratinocytes to protein/ lipid scales
about 50% of cases have been traced back to a gene involved in…..
the conversion of keratinocytes to form scales
if the conversion of keratinocytes to scales is altered what happens?
water is lost from the skin
hyper-reactivity to allergens
infections
how is IgE related to eczema
Th cell dysregulation- IgE and mast cells create inflammation
risk factors for worsening eczema
stress genetics pollen and pets clothes soaps extreme temperatures house mites foods infections hormones
___% of children with eczema had parents with it
80
what clothes help eczema?
cotton- rough clothes are bad
why can soaps worsen eczema?
alters lipid barrier
dries skin
winter is ____ than summer for eczema
worse
what about house mites can worsen eczema?
faeces
how would you know your eczema is infected?
weeping
first line treatments for mild eczema?
emollients
mild topical steroids if the skin is inflamed- FTU’s
what do emollients do?
restore skin integrity and hydrates
effect of emollients on steroids?
steroid sparing effect- dont need as much
features of mild eczema?
some dry skin
some itching
some redness
features of moderate eczema?
dry skin
itching
redness
some thickening
treatment if eczema develops to moderate?
before: emollient and mild topical steroid
now: increase emollient use
increased to moderate potency steroid
non-sedating antihistamine if itchy
how long should the moderate potency steroid be used for in moderate eczema? what should be used on thin skin?
7-14 days
5 days if on sensitive skin
hydrocortisone on sensitive areas
in moderate eczema what can we use to treat the itch?
non-sedating antihistamine
when should the non-sedating antihistamine for moderate eczema be reviewed? why?
after 3 months as there’s weak evidence for any benefit
what is advised for moderate eczema between flares?
low potency steroid intermittently (e.g. twice a week)
second line: topical calineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus)
in children with moderate eczema what steroids would be used
only mild steroids
features of severe eczema?
widespread
skin thickening
bleeding
oozing
treatment for severe eczema?
increase emollient use
potent topical steroid- moderate on sensitive areas (same treatment timeline as moderate 7-14 days and 5 on sensitive)
ns antihistamine
can consider oral corticosteroid
what if severe eczema itch is effecting sleep?
sedating antihistamine
example of an oral corticosteroid that could be given in severe eczema?
oral prednisone
treatment between flares of severe eczema?
lower potency steroid
2nd line: topical calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus)
steroid use should try to be _____ between flares
avoided
how often must you be reviewed between flares?
3-6 months
why are infections common in eczema?
due to skin barrier being broken down
features of infected skin?
weeping
crusted
pustules
systemic symptoms sometimes
TF: for skin infections in eczema only topical antibiotics can be used?
no oral or topical
first and second line antibiotics for skin infections in eczema?
flucloxacillin
clarithromycin
example of light emollient
E-45
Diprobase
example of a moderate emollient
oilatum
hydrous cream
example of a greasy emollient
50% white soft/ liquid
epidermis
example of a low potency steroid?
hydrocortisone 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2.5%
examples of a moderate steroid?
clobetasone butyrate 0.05%
betamethasone valerate 0.025%
examples of potent steroids?
betamethasone valerate 0.1%
betamethasone dipropionate 0.05%
what is another treatment that could be considered in severe eczema?
phototherapy
patient advice for eczema?
use emollients a lot- every 2 hours in flares
avoid scratching
avoid triggers
how to recognise infection
discard old products
advise oily products at night even though not preferred
fire warning with emollients
when using steroids what should you advise?
continue 48 hours after inflammation has reduced