Dermatology Flashcards
Describe the six skin types
I - Always Burns, Never Tans
II - Always Burns, Sometimes Tans
III - Sometimes Burns, Always Tans
IV - Never Burns, Always Tans
V- Dark Brown, rarely burns, fast and easy tanning
VI- Black, Almost never burns
Using the mnemonic SCAM - how would you describe an individual lesion?
Size (and shape)
Colour
Associated secondary change
Morphology (and margin)
Using the mnemonic ABCD - how would you describe a pigmented lesion?
Asymmetry
(Irregular) Border
Colour (two or more)
Diameter (>6mm)
Define: Lesion, Rash, Naevus, Comedone
Lesion - area of altered skin
Rash - an eruption
Naevus - Localised malformation of tissue, commonly pigmented
Comedone - blocked hair follicle/pore containing altered sebum/bacteria and cellular debris. Can be open (blackheads) or closed (whitehads)
What is the Koebner Phenomenon in dermatological distribution?
Linear eruption
Define the following Dermatological Configuration terms: Discrete, Confluent, Target, Annular, Discoid
Discrete - Separate Lesions
Confluent - Lesions merging together
Target - Concentric rings like a dartboard
Annular - Circle/Ring (like ringworm)
Discoid - Coin shaped
Describe Erythema
Redness due to inflammation and vasodilation, that blanches under pressure
Describe Purpura
Red/Purple discolouration due to bleeding into skin/mucous membrane that does not blanch with pressure
Can be Petichae (small pinpoint) or Ecchymoses (large bruise)
What is the difference between Hypopigmentation and Depigmentation?
Hypopigmentation - areas of paler skin (eg Pityriasis Versicolor)
Depigmentation - White skin due to lack of melanin (eg Vitiligo)
Define the morphological terms: Macule, Patch and Plaque
Macule - flat area of altered colour (freckles)
Patch - larger flat area of altered colour
Plaque - Palpable scaling raised lesion>0.5cm in diameter
Define the morphological terms: Papule and Nodule
Papule - Solid raised lesion <0.5cm (eg Xanthomata)
Nodule - Solid raised lesion >0.5cm
Define the morphological terms: Vesicle and Bullae
Vesicle - Raised clear fluid filled lesion <0.5cm
Bullae - Raised clear fluid filled lesion>0.5cm
Define the morphological terms: Pustule and Abscess
Pustule - Pus containing lesion<0.5cm in diameter
Abscess - Localised accumulation of pus in dermis or subcut tissue
Define the morphological terms: Wheal, Furuncle, Carbuncle
Wheal - Transient raised lesion due to dermal oedema
Furuncle - Staph infection in or around a hair follicle
Carbuncle - Staph infection around adjacent follicle
Define: Excoriation, Lichenification and Scaling
Excoriation - loss of epidermis following trauma
Lichenification - well defined roughening of skin with accentuation of skin markings
Scaling - Flakes of Stratum Corneum
Describe three different scar complications
Atrophic - thinning
Hypertrophic - Hyperproliferation within wound boundaries
Keloidal - Hyperproliferation beyond wound boundary
Define Ulcer and Fissure
Ulcer - Loss of dermis and epidermis
Fissure - Epidermal crack due to excess dryness
What is Hypertrichosis?
Non androgen dependent pattern of hair growth
Define: Koilonychia, Oncholysis, Pitting
Koilonychia - Spoon depression of nail plate
Oncholysis - Separation of distail nail from nail bed (psoriasis, fungal nail function)
Pitting - Depression in nail plate (psoriasis, eczema)
Describe the four different special cells of the skin
Keratinocytes (protective barrier)
Langerhans (immunological)
Melanocytes (protects cell nuclei from UV)
Merkel Cells (specialised nerve endings for sensation)
Describe the four main layers of the epidermis
Stratum Corneum - Keratin
Stratum Granulosum
Stratum Spinosum - Prickle Cell
Stratum Basale - Actively dividing cells
What is the ‘extra’ layer of the epidermis and where is it found?
Stratum Lucidum - Paler compact keratin
In areas of ‘thick skin’ (eg soles of feet)
Describe the composition of the Dermis
Made collagen/elastin/GAGs
Contains immune cells, nerves, lymphatics and blood supply
What are the three main types of hair?
Lanugo - Fine long hair in foetus
Vellus - Fine short hair on body’s surface
Terminal - Coarse long hair on scalp/eyebrows/eyelashes
What are Sebaceous Glands?
Produce sebum via hair follicles
Lubricates and waterproofs skin
Stimulated by androgens
What are Sweat Glands? State the two types.
Innervated by sympathetic nervous system
Eccrine - Universally distributed in skin
Apocrine - located in axilla and genitalia etc and function from puberty onswards
Describe the pathophysiology of Urticaria
Mast cell releases mediators causing locally increased permeability of capillaries and venules
Involves only epidermis
can be acute or chronic
can be inducible (aquagenic, solar, cold induced)
How would you manage Urticaria?
Trigger avoidance - consider skin prick testing, skin biopsy, bloods and antibody testing
Try and avoid medication where possible
Antihistamines (6 weeks non-sedating such as loratidine)
Corticosteroids if severe
What is Angio-Oedema? How would you manage it?
Swelling of epidermis AND dermis
Stable and mild - no management
Stable and moderate - 6 weeks antihistamines
Progressing - IM hydrocortisone and chlorphenamine
Describe Hereditary Angio-Oedema and give two other causes of non allergic angio-oedema
Autosomal dominant deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitor (which normally aims to prevent reactviation of compliment system)
Causes recurrent swelling
Treated by C1 Esterase Inhibitor Concentrate (found in FFP)
Idiopathic (more likely if autoimmune), non-allergic drug reaction - eg to ACE
What is Anaphylaxis?
Bronchospasm, facial and laryngeal oedema
How would you manage Anaphylaxis?
1) A to E approach , lie down , elevate legs, remove triggers
2) Adrenaline (if in community - 500mcg 1:1000 IM, monitor response, if inadequate repeat, then continue to repeat every 5 minutes until resolution)
3) Consider nebulised salbutamol/mgso4 for wheeze
4) After resolution consider Hydrocortisone or chlorphenamine
What is Erythema Nodosum? Give 4 causes
Hypersensitivty reaction to a variety of stimuli causing inflammation of fat cells under skin
Strep Pyogenes, TB, Malignancy, IBD
How does Erythema Nodosum present?
Tender nodules usually on shins , after 2 weeks leave bruise like discolouration as they resolve
50% may experience arthralgia or morning stiffness
How do you manage Erythema Nodosum
Generally self limiting
Cool compresses and bed rest
NSAIDs
Treat underlying cause
Over 50% of Erythema Multiforme is caused by HSVI and HSVII, give a non infective cause
Drugs - Barbiturates, Penicillins, Sulfonamides, NSAIDs
Describe the presentation of Erythema Multiforme
Rash begins on extremities, symmetrically
Initially a dull red macule that develops a central papule/bullae to form a target lesion
How would you manage Erythema Multiforme?
Self Limiting
Analgesics and Steroid Creams
What is Steven Johnson’s Syndrome?
A severe form of Erythema Multiforme, caused by hypersensitivity reaction normally to drugs such as Allopurinol/Carbemazepine/Penicillins
At least two mucosal sites involved
How might Steven Johnson Syndrome present?
May have a prodromal phase
Mucocutaneous Lesions (Erythema Multiforme)
May have other organ involvement (Dysuria, Conjunctivitis, Mouth Ulcers)
Describe four different managements for Steven Johnson Syndrome
Remove offending cause
Supportive
Immunomodulation (potentially pulsed steroids to avoid poor wound healing)
Plasmphoresis
What is SCORTEN?
Predicts mortality for Steven Johnson Syndrome
Score greater than 3 requires ITU
What is Erythroderma? Give four causes.
Exfoliative dermatitis involving atleast 95% skin’s surface
Previous skin disease, Lymphoma, Drugs (Penicillin, Allopurinol), Idiopathic
How might Erythroderma present?
Skin appears inflamed, oedematous and scaly
Pt feels systemically unwell with malaise and lymphadenopathy
How would you manage Erythroderma? Give 3 complications.
Emollients and wet wraps to maintain skin’s moisture
Topical steroids
Hypothermia, Secondafry Infection, High Output Heart Failure
What is Eczema Herpeticum?
Rare and serious skin infection caused by Herpes Simlex Virus
Many possible complications so treated as an emergency
How does Eczema Herpeticum present? How would you manage it?
Systemically unwell with extensive crusted papules/blisters/erosions
Antivirals (Acyclovir)
What is Necrotising Fasciitis?
Rapidly progressing infection of the deep fascia causing necrosis of subcutaneous tissue
Normally caused by Group A Strep, or a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic
How does Necrotising Fasciitis present?
Severe pain, Erythema, Tachycardia, Crepitus (Subcutaneous Emphysema)
How would you manage Necrotising Fasciitis?
Extensive Surgical Debridement
IV Antibiotics
Define Cellulitis
Spreading bacterial infection of the skin involving the deep subcutaneous tissue and dermis
What is the difference between Cellulitis and Erysipelas?
Erysipelas is a more superficial form
Erysipelas has more sharply demarcated borders than Cellulitis
Give 5 risk factors for Cellulitis/Erysipelas
IVDU
Elderly
Venous Insuffiency
Lymphoedema
Alcoholism
Erysipelas is mainly caused by Strep Pyrogenes, name the causative organisms of Cellulitis.
Staph Aureus
Post Op - Strep Pyogenes, Closdtrodium Perfringes (crepitus)
How would you manage Cellulitis/Erysipelas?
Rest, Elevation and Analgesia
Uncomplicated - Flucloxacillin 500mg QTS
Facial Involvement - Co _ Amoxiclav
What is Staphylococcal Scalded Syndrome?
Scald appearance seen in infancy and early childhood
Caused by epidermolytic strain of toxigenic STaph Aureus
How might Staphylococcal Scalded Syndrome present?
Scald appearance followed by large bullae
Painful lesions
Lesions on buttocks/hands/feet/face (perioral crusting)
How would you manage Staphylococcal Scalded Syndrome?
Flucloxacillin (or Vancomycin for MRSA)
Analgesia
Petroleum Jelly
Describe Tinea Corporis and Tinea Cruris
Corporis - Fungal infection of Trunk/Limbs, ittchy circular lesions with raised edges
Cruris - same as corporis but in groin and natal cleft
Describe Tinea Manuum and Tinea Pedis
Tinea Manuum - Fungal infection of hands
Tinea Pedis - Athlete’s Foot
Scaling and fissuring dryness
Describe Tinea Capitus and Tinea Unguium
Capitis - Scalp Ringworm (patches of broken hair, scaling and infammation)
Unguium - Fungal infection of the nail causing yellowed discoloration/thickened/crumbly nail
What is Tinea Incognito?
Due to inappropriate treatment of fungal infection with steroid creams
Ill defined and less scaly
What is Ptyriasis/ Tinea Versicolor?
Cutaneous infection with the yeast Malassezia Furfur
Causes scaly brown patches on upper trunk that fail to tan on sun exposure
State the two non melanoma skin cancers
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Give 3 risk factors of skin cancer
Age
UV exposure
Type I skin
Describe the presentation of nodular BCC (TURP)
T- Telangiectasia
U- Ulceration
R- Rolled Edges
P- Pearly
What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Locally invasive malignant tumour of keratinocytes with the ability to metastasise
Name 3 pre malignant conditions that are a risk factor for SCC?
Actinic Keratoses (ie sun spots)
Bowens Disease
Leukoplakia
How do Squamous Cell Carcinomas present?
Keratotic
Ill defined
Potentially ulcerating
Describe four managements of Skin Cancer
Surgical Excision
Radiotherapy
Cryotherapy/Cautery
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
What is Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Borders progressively excised until free of tumour microscopically
Good for cosmetically sensitive areas
What is a Malignant Melanoma?
Invasive malignant tumour of epidermal melanocytes with the ability to metastasise
Describe the four types of Malignant Melanoma
Superficial Spreading - common on lower limbs
Nodular Melanoma - Common on trunk
Lentigo Maligna Melanoma - common on face in elderly due to long term cumulative exposure
Acral Lentigous Melanoma - Palms, soles and nail beds
What is the Breslow Thickness?
The risk of recurrence of Malignant Melanoma
The thicker the melanoma the higher the risk
Describe the presentation of Atopic Eczema
Usually develops in childhood and resolves during adulthood
Itchy erythematous dry scaly patches normally on flexor aspects (but can be on face and extensor aspects in infants
Give 5 other dermatological features of atopic eczema
Excoriation
Lichenification
Nail pitting
Hypo/Hyperpigmentation
Chronic lesions - dry and scaly (erythematous or grey/brown)
Name two conservative managements of Eczema
Avoid triggers (such as wool/synthetic fibres and extremes of temperature)
Frequent emollients
Give 3 pharmacological managements for Eczema
Topical Therapies - topical steroids (for flares) or topical immunomodulators (tacrolimus)
Oral therapies - antihistamines
Immunosupressants for severe non responsive cases
State three secondary viral infectons of Eczema
Molluscum Contagiosum
Viral Warts
Eczema Herpeticum