Dermatology Flashcards
name 3 functions of the skin
Protection against environment Temperature regulation Neurological - Sensation Storage and synthesis - Vitamin D synthesis Immunosurveillance Stop fluid loss Aesthetics and communication
What cells in the skin present antigens and activate t-lymphocytes ?
langerhans
What are merkel cells
nerve endings for sensation
Function of melanocytes
produce melanin - pigment and protects nuclei from UV radiation induced DNA damage
the epidermis is made from?
keratinocytes (various levels of maturation)
2 types of sweat gland and function
eccrine (skin)
apocrine (axilla, anus, genitalia - only function from puberty, bacteria - body odour).
4 stages of wound healing
Haemostasis
Inflammation
Proliferation
Remodelling
What happens in the stages haemostasis and inflammation
Vasoconstriction and Pt aggregation (clot formation)
Vasodilation, migration NP and MP -> phagocytosis of debris
What happens in proliferation and remodeling
Granulation tissue formation (fibroblasts) and angiogenesis. Re-epithelialization
Collagen fibre-reorganisation, scar maturation
What might you use emollients for?
Rehydrate skin, re-establish surface lipid layer.
Use at dry, scaling conditions as soap substitute
SE of emollients
irritant - rash
Name 3 indications for topical corticosteroids
Anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative
allergic/immune conditions, blistering, inflammatory skin conditions, connective tissue disease, vasculitis
4 strengths of topical corticosteroid cream - getting stronger
Hydrocortisone
Clobetasone butyrate (Eumovate)
Betamethasone valerate (Betnovate)
Clobetasol propionate (Dermovate)
Name 2 local SEs of topical corticosteroids
Skin atrophy, telangiectasia, striae, exacerbation skin conditions, acne, perioral dermatitis
Name 3 SEs od oral corticosteroids
SHIP DOC
Syndrome (Cushing’s) HTN Immunosuppression Psychosis Diabetes Osteoporosis Cataracts
Eg of topical Abx
Fusidic acid
mupirocin
neomycin
SEs of Abx. Name 3
Local (irritation, allergy)
Systemic: GI upset, rash, anaphylaxis, candidiasis, ABX associated infections
Eg of an oral retinoid
Isotretinoin, acitretin
Indication for oral retinoids . name 2
Acne, psoriasis, disorders of keratinisation
SEs of oral retinoids. Name 2
Mucocutaneous reactions: dry skin, lips, eyes
Disordered liver function (LFT)
Hypercholesterolaemia (Blood test)
Myalgia, arthralgia, depression
Teratogenicity (effective contraception one month before, during and after isotretinoin, 2 years after acitretin)
What is the main SEs of ciclosporin? what should you do?
HTN and renal dysfunction
monitor BP and Ur + Cr
Ciclosporin is what kind of drug?
immunosuppressant
What type of drug is azathioprine? SEs?
Immunosuppressant
Hepatotoxicity and myelotoxicity
what is atopic eczema?
A chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition characterised by itchy, erythematous scaly patches.
Where is eczema usually in infants? older?
infants - face and extensor
Older
Flexor surfaces (skin folds)
What is needed for Dx of eczema
Itchy skin + 3 of
History of flexural involvement
Visible flexural dermatitis
Personal history asthma, hayfever (or family if <4)
Generally dry skin in last year
Onset at <2
What might you Ix in atopic eczema
Serum IgE levels,
allergy testing (specific IgE) = skin prick test or RAST (radioallergosorbant test)
Name 2 complications of eczema
Psychological stress
Bacterial superinfection (s.aureus)
Eczema herpeticum (vesicular, HSV) - emergency
SE of treatment
contact dermatitis usually comes with a Hx of contact with irritants / occupational Hx
(REMEMBER THE OSCE STATION YOU FUCKED)
How would you mx Irritant?
Allergic?
Irritant: emollients/topical corticosteroids + irritant avoidance (gloves)
Allergic: topical corticosteroids + allergen avoidance (±topical calcineurin… as AD)
The same basically
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is usually found where?
scalp, nasolabial fold, anterior chest
what is Seborrhoeic dermatitis called in children ? mx?
cradle cap (resolves by 12 months)
emollients and topical corticosteroidsif needed
Stress tends to flare Seborrhoeic dermatitis in adults. Mx of scalp?
non scalp?
What if it lasts >3/12?
(scalp only) -
- topical shampoo (salicylic acid - keratolytic, coal tar, antifungal - ketoconazole)
- topical corticosteroids
Adults (non-scalp)
topical corticosteroids ± topical antifungals (ketoconazole)
Lasting over 3 months - oral antifungal (ketoconazole)
Basically just topical corticosteroids - I’ve left the other stuff in so its recognisable in the MCQ)
What is psoriasis? Characteristic?
Inflammatory disease due to hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and inflammatory cell infiltrate
Seen on biopsy of psoriasis?Name 2 things
focal parakeratosis (retained nuclei,
absent granular layer),
epidermal acanthosis (thickening),
dilated capillaries
2 key associations with psoriasis
50% - nail changes
(pitting, Beau’s lines (horiz) and onycholysis - lift off bed)
10% have psoriatic arthritis
symmetrical polyarthritis, asymmetrical oligomonoarthritis
Most common form of psoriasis?
Plaque
Well-circumscribed, erythematous, scaly plaques with silver scaling
Bleed on scale removal/picking
(Auspitzs sign)
Where is/ appearance of guttate psoriasis ? Who gets it?
Raindrop like on trunk, arms and legs
post streptococcal tonsillitis @young
Mx of psoriasis
General Educate, avoid triggers (drug stress alcohol) emolllients Topical Topical corticosteoids Vid D analouges
Phototherapy (extensive disease)
Oral - Severe
Methotrexate
ciclosporin
acitretin
Biologic
etanercept, infliximab
guttate 1st line
phototherapy
Pustular psoriasis 1st line
oral retinoid (acitretin)
Complications of acne . Name 3
depression
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, scarring, deformity, psychological
Mx of mild acne
Topical keratolytic Eg Benzoyl peroxide OR Topical retinoids Eg isoretinoin \+ Topical Abx if needed (clindamycin/erythromycin)
Mx of mod/severe acne
Topical retinoid + oral antibiotics - (tetracycline, doxycycline)
Anti-androgens (females) - COCP
Oral retinoids (severe only) - isotretinoin (see SE)
Which skin Ca has the highest reccurence and METS?
SCC (from keratinocytes)
BCC and SCC are keratinocytes, melanoma is melanocytes.
What cell are BCCs from?
hair follicle
Rfs for SCC
UV exposure, pre-malignant conditions (actinic keratoses, Bowen’s disease), chronic inflammation (leg ulcer), immunosuppression, whites, outdoor occupation, previous SCC
How would a SCC present?
Keratotic (scaly, crusty), ill-defined nodule ± ulceration± bleeding
What is bowens ?
Superficial red, scaley patch on skin
-Easy to treat
Whats the problem with SCC
SPREAD Quick growing, local metastases (quicker than BCC)m or spread to local LN
Ix for SCC
Biopsy
CT/MRI
What 3 levels of SCC can you see on biopsy?
Keratinocyte atypia - actinic keratosis
SCC-in-situ (Bowen’s) - full thickness atypia with intact basement membrane
Invasive tumour - penetrates bm to dermis
Common mets for SCC
LNs, lung, liver, brain, bone
Mx of SCC in situ
Cryotherapy (destructive), topical chemotherapy (fluoracil - Efudix)
Mx of <2cm invasive SCC
Wide surgical excision
Mx of mets
excision (if on skin) + radiotherapy
BCC RFs
UV exposure, sunburn at childhood, skin type I (burns), increasing age, male, immunosuppression, previous history, genetic predisposition, whites, albinism
How does BCC appear?
rodent ulcer
Seen on biopsy of BCC
small, dark staining (basophilic) basal cells growing in nests (aggregates), invading the dermis
pearly flesh coloured papule