Dermatology II Flashcards
What is the epidermis?
The outer layer, stratum corneum at the surface
What is the dermis?
Contains nerve endings, vasculature, and hair follicles
What is the hypodermis?
Provides nouishment and cushioning for the upper two layers
What is pruritus?
Sensation to scratch
How does drug absorption with topical work?
- Most of the drug that gets absorbed in the skin is from passive diffusion (when applied topically)
- Drug absorption can vary depending on the thickness of the skin, thinner = more permeable, allowing more substance to get through
- Thick part of the skin is in the hands and sole
- thin parts are like the eye lids
What are creams and lotions?
- Oil in water emulsion
- Less greasy
- Cooling effect
What are ointments?
- Water in oil emulsions
- Greasy feeling
- Long lasting
- Occulusive effect
Describe irritant contact dermatitis (ICD).
- Inflammatory skin, direct damage to the epidermal layer
- Mostly on hands and forearms
Describe allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).
- Immunologic skin reaction, contact with allergenic substance.
- Can affect any part of the body.
Describe contact dermitis.
- 3 steps: irritation and disruption of the skin barrier, stimulations of epidermal cells, release of proinflammatory cytokines
- Substance commonly associated with irritant contact dermatitis
- Acids, alkalis, detergents, disinfectants/antiseptics, foods, oils, radiation, sunscreen, urine/feces, water, and wood dust.
What are the ICD goals of contact dermatitis?
- Prevent contact with irritant
- Prevent reoccurence and secondary infection
- Relieve inflammation and irritation
- Educate the patient on self-management
What are signs of infection for contact dermatitis?
- Fever
- Increase redness
- Swelling
- Increase pain or tenderness
- Pus or discharge
What are preventative measures for contact dermatitis?
- Frequent changes in coverings, avoiding the irritant
- Applying a barrier to the skin can be helpful as well
- Ointments are better to use if the irritant is aqueous solution
- Lotion and creams are better for lipophilic materials
What are non-pharm treatments for contact dermatitis?
- Remove contact with irritant
- Washing with hypoallergenic soap
What are pharmacological treatments for contact dermatitis?
- Burow’s solution (aluminum acetate 5% solution)
- Cooling, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects
What is the role of petrolatum jelly (Gold Standard)?
- Prevents water loss due to its ointment properties
What is contact dermatitis- ACD?
- Delayed hypersensitivity reaction form exposure to a foreign substance–Type IV
- Delayed hypersenesitivity reaction, occurs between 1-21 days
What are common substances that cause ACD?
- Poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, kewelry, clothing, and electronics
- Nickel, fragrances, rubber, neomycin
What are ACD allergens?
- Toxicodendron, poison ivy, oak and sumac (Urushiol)
- General appearance is three leaves growing from a central stem.
- Poison Ivy – grown in central and northeastern part of the states
- Poison Oak – located along the west coast and southern areas of the states
- Poison Sumac – mid west and some parts of the east in the states
What are key presentation characteristics of allergic dermatitis?
- Ballae
- Vesicles
- Oozing/Weeping
What are the goals of contact dermatitis ACD?
- Remove and avoid contact from offending agent
- Treat inflammation and relieve itching/scratching
- Relieve accumulation of debris from oozing, crusting, and scaling
What are non-pharm treatments for ACD?
Prevent contact with urushiol
* Eradication of Toxicodendron plants
Prevent spread of urushiol
* Inanimate objects can carry
* Handwashing to prevent transfer
* Wash exposed area with water and a mild soap
Relief of itching
* Cold or lukewarm soap-less showers
Products that remove urushiol
* Zanfel and Tecnu
* Both are not FDA approved
* Zanfel – removes Toxicodendron induced ACD
* Tecnu – chemical deactivator removes the urushiol oil on the skin
* Applied to skin ASAP and repeated as needed
What are pharmacological treatments of ACD?
Pruritus (itching)
* Topical anesthetics, antihistamine (diphenhydramine), or antibiotics should NOT be used
* Known to cause drug-induced ACD which could mask existing symptoms
* First generation oral antihistamine may be used for sedation at bedtime
Weeping
* Aluminum acetate solution (Burrow’s solution)
Inflammation
* OTC Hydrocortisone cream (0.5% and 1%)
* RX Hydrocortisone cream (2% and 2.5%)
* Low potency steroid to reduce inflammation and pruritus
* For mild to moderated symptoms of ACD
What are exclusions to self-care for contact dermatitis?
- <2 years of age
- Dermatitis present >1 week (with self-care)
- Chronic dermatitis symptoms
- Body Surface Area (BSA) Greater than: 10% (ICD) or 20% (ACD)
- Extreme itching, irritation, or severe vesicle formation
- Swelling of the body, extremities or eyelids/area around the eye
- Discomfort in mouth, nose, eyes, anus or genital area from itching, redness, swelling, or irritation
- Signs of infection
- Involvement of face scalp or neck
What is the background for scaly dermatitis?
- Includes dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis
- Increasing amount of inflammation and scaliness: Dandruff, seborrheic, and then psoriasis
- Really only effect the top layer of the skin (epidermis)