Dermatology History and Examination Flashcards
What should you ask about presenting complaint in dermatology?
Nature, site and duration of presentation.
What questions should you ask about history of presenting complaint in dermatology?
- Initial appearance and evolution of lesion?
- Itch/pain>
- Aggravating/relieving factors?
- Previous/current treatment and effectiveness?
- Recent contact/stress/illness/travel?
- Any trauma?
- History of sunburn and tanning machines?
What scale can you use for skin type and what are the features of each type?
Fitzpatrick scale
- Light, pale, white - always burns, never tans
- White, fair - usually burns, tans with difficulty
- Medium, white to olive - sometimes mild burns, gradually tans to olive
- Olive, moderate brown - rarely burns, tans with ease to moderate brown
- Brown, dark brown - very rarely burns, tans very easily
What should you ask about in past medical history in dermatology?
- History of atopy?
2. History of skin cancer and suspicious lesions?
What should you ask about in family history in dermatology?
Family history of skin disease/atopy?
What should you ask about in social history in dermatology?
- Occupation and skin contacts at work
- Improvement of symptoms when away from work?
- Change in detergents/jewellery?
- Sexual history
What is included in a general inspection in dermatology?
- General observation
- Site and number of lesions
- Pattern of distribution
What is ABCD for and what does it stand for in dermatology?
For describing pigmented skin lesions:
- Asymmetry
- irregular Border
- > 2 Colours
- Diameter >6mm
What should you identify on palpation of a skin lesion?
- Surface
- Consistency
- Mobility
- Tenderness
- Temperature
Where on the body should you check specifically for a skin lesion examination?
- Nails
- Scalp
- Hair
- Mucous membranes
What is this describing?
Thinning of the skin.
Atrophy
What is this describing?
Large fluid-filled blister.
Bulla
What is this describing?
Dried serum/exudate on the skin.
Crusted
What is this describing?
Large confluent area of purpura (bruise).
Ecchymosis
What is this describing?
Denuded area of skin (partial epidermal loss).
Erosion
What is this describing?
Scratch mark.
Excoriation
What is this describing?
Deep linear crack/crevice (often in thickened skin).
Fissure
What is this describing?
Thickened epidermis with prominent normal skin markings.
Lichenified
What is this describing?
Flat, circumscribed, non-palpable lesion.
Macule
What is this describing? Large papule (>0.5cm).
Nodule
What is this describing?
Small, palpable, circumscribed lesion (<0.5cm).
Papule
What is this describing?
Pinpoint-sized macule of blood in the skin.
Petechia
What is this describing?
Large flat-topped, elevated, palpable lesion.
Plaque
What is this describing?
Larger macule of papule of blood in the skin which does not blanch on pressure.
Purpura
What is this describing?
Yellowish white pus-filled lesion.
Pustule
What is this describing?
Visible flaking and shedding of surface of skin.
Scaly
What is this describing?
Abnormal visible dilatation of blood vessels.
Telangiectasia
What is this describing?
Deeper denuded area of skin (full epidermal and dermal loss).
Ulcer
What is this describing?
Small fluid-filled blister.
Vesicle
What is this describing?
Itchy raised ‘nettle-rash’ like swelling due to dermal oedema.
Weal
