Dermatology Flashcards
Describe the six skin types
- Fitzpatrick
- 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
- Lesion - area of altered skin
- Rash - an eruption
Define naevus
Localised malformation of tissue, commonly pigmented
Define comodone
blocked hair follicle/pore containing altered sebum/bacteria and cellular debris. Can be open (blackheads) or closed (whiteheads)
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 & the 2 types
Red/Purple discolouration due to bleeding into skin/mucous membrane that does not blanch with pressure. Can be
- Petichae (small pinpoint)
- 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
How would you manage Urticaria?
Antihistamines Corticosteroids if severe
What is Angio-Oedema? How would you manage it?
Swelling of epidermis AND dermis Managed by corticosteroids
Describe Hereditary 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)
What is Anaphylaxis?
Bronchospasm, facial and laryngeal oedema
How would you manage Anaphylaxis?
Adrenaline, Corticosteroids and Antihistamines
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
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 90% 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
How does Necrotising Fasciitis present?
Severe pain, Erythema, Tachycardia, Crepitus (Subcutaneous Emphysema)