Dermatology Flashcards
ECZEMA
- what is it?
- how does it present?
- where does it affect?
- what is it associated with?
- Chronic inflammatory skin condition
- Presents as poorly demarcated, itchy red rash
- Typically affects skin folds (elbow and behind knees). Infants – scalp, face, flexor
Adults – chest, neck, flexor - Associated with atopic traits (asthma, hay fevere, allergic rhinitis)
ECZEMA
describe the pathophysiological process of eczema?
2 stage process: breakdown/reduced effectiveness of skins natural barrier and subsequent IgE mediated, T cell auto-immune response causing inflammation
ECZEMA
- where in the world has higher prevalence of eczema
- by what age does eczema usually present?
- what can decrease the risk of eczema?
- developed countries
- 5 years
- breast feeding
ECZEMA
name some triggers for eczema?
soaps, skin infections (staph aureus), extremes of temp, abrasive fabrics, dietary, inhaled allergens, stress, hormonal changes
ECZEMA
name some common complication of eczema and how does it present?
-bacterial infection (Staph) crusting, weeping, erythema - eczema hereticum - viral infection characterised by fever and clusters of itchy blisters or punched-out erosions. -lichenification - eczema herpeticum
ECZEMA
what is the NICE diagnostic criteria for eczema?
itchy skin plus 3 of • Itchiness in skin folds • History of asthma or hay fever • Dry skin • Visible patches in skin folds • Onset in first 2 years
ECZEMA
what investigation may be indicated in eczema not responding?
MC+S swab
allergy and RAST test not indicated
ECZEMA
what are the 2 main treatment options?
Emollients – improve skins natural barrier
Steroids – reduce inflammation
ECZEMA
describe the use of emollients?
-different types
-when to apply
- creams (water based)
- lotions (water and oil components)
- ointments (oil based and most potent
- The more potent the emollient the more greasy so unpleasant to have on hands
- Best applied to wet/moist skin
- Every 4 hours or 3-4x day
- Use even when no flare ups
- Avoid soaps
ECZEMA
describe the use of steroids?
- when should they be used?
-when should they be applied?
- Used to bring exacerbation under control,Use at first sign of flare up
- Apply before emollients
ECZEMA describe the use and give examples of... 1. mild steroids 2. moderate steroids 3. very potent steroids
- Mild – face and neck, mild flare ups eg 1% hydrocortisone or 0.05% clobetasone
- Moderate – severe flare ups – axillae and groin eg betamethasone valerate 0.02%, triamcinolone 0.02%
Potenti – same as moderate – 0.1% betamethasone valerate, mometasone 1%, methylprednisolone acetylate - Very potent – don’t use in children, unless specialist eg clobetasone propionate 0.05%, betamethasone diproprionate 0.05%
ECZEMA
how should staphylococcal infection be treated?
flucloxacillin 500mg QID 1-2 weeks
ECZEMA
other than emolients and steroids, what other therapies can be used to treat eczema?
Immune modulating agents – pimecrolimus and tacrolimus – severe eczema, alternatives to topical steroids
Phototherapy – UVA/UVB effective in treating disease resistant topical agents
Systemic therapy – rare
PSORIASIS
- what is it?
- describe the course of the disease
- pathophysiology?
- what percentage of psoriasis is associated with psoriatic arthritis?
- Chronic inflammatory skin condition
Raised, red, itchy, scaly plaques on skin - Follows relapsing remitting course
- Strong genetic component
T cell mediated abnormal immune response – T cells release cytokines resulting in keratinocyte proliferation - 10-15%
PSORIASIS
- what age does incidence peak
- what ethnicity is it more common in
- name some risk factors?
- 15-25 / 50-60
- caucasians
- genetic, smoking, obesity, psychological stressors
PSORIASIS
what would skin biopsy show?
parakeratosis acanthosis absent granular layer, lengthened rete ridges thin dermal papillae dilated tortuous capillaries munro’s micro-abscences T cells in upper dermis
PSORIASIS
what are the features of psoriasis?
- Symmetrical
- Red scaly plaques – white/ silver
- Often extensor surfaces
- Scalp, elbows, knees
- Itchy
PSORIASIS
name different types of psoriasis?
classical guttate psoriasis palmoplanar pustular flexoral erythrodermic
PSORIASIS
describe classical psoriasis?
well circumscribed erythematous plaques with silver scaling, nail changes, auspitzs sign
PSORIASIS
describe guttate psoriasis?
young, often follows streptococcal tonsilitis, plaques – multiple discoid erythematous and scaly macules and plaques on trunks. Plaques usually saller than typical psoriasis. Usually <3cm. good prognsosis – often resolve
PSORIASIS
describe palmoplanar pustular psoriasis?
yellow brown pustules on palms and soles
PSORIASIS
describe flexoral psoriasis?
plaques – erythematous but not scaly, districution – submammary, axillary, anogenital, umbilical. Epidemiology – women, elderly, HIV +ve
PSORIASIS
describe erythrodermic psoriasis?
acute onset of erythroderma and pustular plaques, managed with methotrexate
PSORIASIS
describe nail changes?
pitting, onycholysis, subungal hyperkeratosis, beaus lines
PSORIASIS
name some precipitating factors?
trauma, infection, drugs, emotional stress, sunlight, puberty, menopause, alcohol, obesity, smoking
PSORIASIS
name some associated disorders?
psoriatic arthritis, IBD, uveitis, coeliac disease, metabolic syndrome (T2DM, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, gout, cardiovascular disease
PSORIASIS
what lifestyle changes may be used to manage psoriasis?
Minimise risk factors – smoking cessation, reduction of alcohol, weight loss, avoidance of sun exposure, management of stress
PSORIASIS
what topical agents can be used in management?
- Emollients
- Corticosteroids – start with potent agent eg betamethasone 0.1% / morning applicaton of steroid and evening application of vitamin D analogue – combined agents eg daivobet or Enstilar foam
- Vit D analogues – calcipotriol, tacalcitol, calcitriol – decrease cell proliferation, side effects -skin irritation, hypercalcaemia if overuse
- Coal tar preparations – inhibits DNA synthesis, yet it is smelly and messy, used especially in scalp psoriasis
- Dithranol – anthralin, decreases cell proliferation, side effects- irritates neighbouring normal skin and stains clothes purple
- Keratolytics – salicyclic acid
- Retinoids – tazarotene
PSORIASIS
what systemic treatments can be used for management of psoriasis?
- Usually initiated in secondary care setting
- Phototherapy – UVB / PUVA
- Retinoids – acitretin, therapeutic effect after 4-6 weeks and used <6 months. Side effects – teratogenic for upto 3 years, dry mucous membranes, hepatotoxicity, deranged lipid profile
- Immunosuppresants- methotrexate, ciclosporin, azathioprine, hydroxyurea
- Biological agents – when everyting else has failed eg etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab
PSORIASIS
describe a typical treatment pathway for psoriasis?
1st line – vit D analogues +/- topical steroids + tar or salicylic acid +/- UVB
2nd line – retinoids, PUVA, UVB, immunosuppresants
3rd line- dithranol
Goekerman regime – Tar +UVB
Ingram regime – goekerman +dithranol
PSORIASIS
when should a referral be made?
- > 10% body surface
- Not responding to topical treatment
- Children
- Major impact on psychological health
URTICATIA AND ANGIO-OEDEMA
- Prevelance
- Description
- Where does it occur
- Cause
- 20% of people at some point in their life
- Itchy, raised skin reactions – weals (hives)
- Anywhere on skin. Angio-oedema usually occrs in soft areas of skin such as eyelids, lips, inside mouth
- Caused by release of histamine from mast cells. Usually not due to allergy
Allergens can cause acute Urticaria
URTICARIA AND ANGIO OEDEMA
Management?
Aim to suppress symptoms until becomes better
In chronic may last 6-12 months and then gradually disappear
Antihistamine
Monteleukast
Oral steroids – rescue treatment for severe flares
Ciclosporin
Adrenaline injection – if breathing affected
omalizumab
PITYRIASIS ROSEA
- What is it?
- Describe it?
- Who it affects?
- Viral rash lasting 6-12 weeks
- Herald patch followed by similar, smaller oval red patches located on chest and back. Most don’t itch
- Teenagers and young adults
PITYRIASIS ROSEA
What are the potential causes?
Associated with reactivation of herpesvirus 6 and 7 causing primary rash in inants
Caused by medications such as ACE inhibitors, NSAIDS, hydrochlorothiazide, imatinib, clozapine, metronidazole, terminafine, gold, atypical antipsychotics
Usually lasts 6-12 weeks
Linked to miscarriage
PITYRIASIS ROSEA
Management
Bath or shower with plain water and bath oil or aquesous cream Moisturise Expose to sunlight 7 day course of acyclovir 2 week course or oral erythromycin Topical steroid phototherapy
LICHEN PLANUS
- What is it
- Mechanism
- Who it affects
- Causes
- Chronic, inflammatory, pruritic skin disorder, on limbs, mucous membranes and genitals
- Likely T cell mediated autoimmune disorder
- Adults over age of 40
- Genetic predisposition, physical and psychological stress, skin trauma, systemic viral infection (hep B, C), contact dermatitis
LICHEN PLANUS
Describe the presentation
flexor on first presentation, itchy, not typically painful, may affect genitals, mucous membranes, often round, purpuric, raised lesions, occasionally lesions blister, as initial lesion heals – often leave small flat brown discoloured circles
On mucous surfaces – white, slightly raised lesions, small ulcers or white streaks, tongue or inside cheeks, can be asymptomatic or painful, difficult to treat
Nails – 10% population, longitudinal lines, may involve nail bed
Scalp – usually spared, can cause severe scarring and alopecia
LICHEN PLANUS
What are the subtypes?
hypertrophic LP (thick, raised lesions, hyper pigmentation) erosive, ulcerative (painful, mucosal surfaces)
GRANULOMA ANNULARE
- What is it?
- Who gets it
- Pathophysiology
- Triggers
- Inflammatory skin condition typified by annular, smooth, discouloured papules and plaques
- Most common in children, teenagers, young adults
More common in women - May be due to delayed hypersensitivity
- skin infections, skin trauma, association with autoimmune thyroiditis, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia, HIV infection
GRANULOMA ANNULARE
- How is a diagnosis made?
- Management
- Clinically
Skin biopsy - show necrobiotic degeneration of dermal collagen - Treatment not required - disappears on own within a few months
LICHEN SCLEROSUS
- What is it
- Who does it affect
- What conditions is it associated with
- What is there an increased risk of?
- Common chronic autoimmune skin disorder involving anogenital region
- Women >50
- increased BMI, coronary artery disease, smoking, preceding infections, preceeding trauma increased BMI, coronary artery disease, smoking, preceding infections, preceeding trauma
- Increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma
LICHEN SCLEROSUS
- Where does it affect
- What are the symptoms
- Describe the conditions presentation in men
- Affect non hair bearing areas of vulva and perineum – figure of 8 around genitals and anus. Never affects vaginal mucosa
- itch, worse at night, dysuria, dyspareunia, pain when passing stool due to anal fissures, adhesions and scarring (permanent and destructive, reduced size of opening of vagina, reduced size of labia minora, phimosis of clitoris
- affects glans of penis, glans can become white, firm and scarred, painful erections, urethra strictures
LICHEN SLEROSUS
describe supportive management?
- Wash gently
- Use non soap cleanser
- Avoid tight clothing
- Avoid synthetic fibres
- Avoid activities like cycling or horse riding
LICHEN SCLEROSUS
describe topical therapies?
- Emollients
- Topical steroids
- Follow up after one month to assess
- Extra genital lesions
- Topial oestrogen
- Oral theraies – reserved for resistant cases, specialist, steroids, retinoids, methotrexate, ciclosporin
LICHEN SCLEROSUS
describe surgical management?
- Excision of SCCs or suspected SCCs
- Circumscision iin men
- Surgery to release adhesions and excise scar tissue in women
ACNE VULGARIS
- what is it?
- who gets it?
- cause?
- Disorder of pilosebaceous follicles (oil glands)
- Common – almost universal in second decade of life. Rare before 10yrs
Peaks in teens (girls 13-14 / boys 18-19). slight male tendency - Initially the result of sebum production – related to androgen levels. Excessive sebum production – leakage into surrounding dermis – excessive colonisation or infection
ACNE VULGARIS
1. associated conditions
Associated with depression, anxiety and social phobia
PCOS, steroid use, certain skincare products increase oil load on skin
Potential link with diet
ACNE VULGARIS
what lesions are seen?
- Open comedones (blackheads)
- Closed comedones (whiteheads)
- Papules
- Nodules
- Cysts
- Atrophic scars
ACNE VULGARIS
what are the principles of treatment?
- Unblock pores – comedolysis – topical benzoyl peroxide, isotretinoin gel, adapalene lotion
- Decrease bacterial load in sebum – topical or oral antibiotics
- Decrease sebaceous gland activity – isotretinoin, COCP, spironolactone
ACNE VULGARIS
conservative management
- Advice
- Washing
- Sunlight
- Avoid oily products
- Most people tried basics before presenting to GP
ACNE VULGARIS
medical management
- Topical – encourage skin peeling, reduce inflammation, antibiotic effect, apply to all areas
- Benzoyl peroxide-first line, can cause dryine and irritation, different strengths and can be increased
- Topical antibiotics – clindamycin or erythromycin, don’t use alone, give in combination with benzoyl peroxide
- Topical retinoids – adapeline, reduce inflammation, irritating, 12 weeks to be effective, used with other agents, comes in combination with benzoyl perozide as Epiduo
- Systemic – several months to act, 4 months to assess, combined with topical treatment, useful fro-trunkal acne
- Oral antibiotics – tetracyclines, clindamycin, rythromycin
- Isotretinoin – retinoid reduces sebum secretion, teratogenic, dry skin, lips and eye problems, cause myalgia, contraindicated with tetracycline
- Antiandrogens – COCP in women, reduce oil load on skin, reduces free testoternoe, 3-6 months to have effect,. spironolactone
ROSACEA
- what is it
- who does it affect
- Common facial rash
Chronic and persistent
Sterile inflammatory papulae, pustule and nodes
Mistaken for acne - Ages 30-50
Mainly women
Celtic ethnic origin – fair skin, blue eyes
ROSACEA
describe the presentation
Red rash often with inflammatory papules – often begin as increasing tendency for facial flushing before progressing to papules, pustules and nodules
Rash on cheeks, forehead, nose and chin
Worse when flushed or brushing
Periorbital and perioral areas spared
Associated with increased skin sensitivity and stinging sensation
Accompanies by telangectasia, facial oedema, seborrheic dermatitis, sensitive skin