Dermatology - Inflammatory Dermatoses Flashcards
Define atopic
A form of allergy in which a hypersensitivity reaction (e.g. eczema, asthma) may occur in a part of the body not in contact with the allergen.
These are IgE mediated reactions that trigger histamine release.
What is atopic eczema/dermatitis?
A chronic, atopic, inflammatory skin condition caused by defects in the normal continuity of the skin barrier, leading to inflammation in the skin.
What is the cause of atopic eczema?
Defects in the normal continuity of the skin barrier, leading to inflammation in the skin.
Tiny gaps in skin barrier provide an entrance for; irritants, microbes & allergens that create an immune response → associated symptoms.
Aetiology of eczema?
- Genetic component – mutation in filagin (leads to dry skin)
- Tends to run in families but there is no single inheritance pattern
- Atopic triad – eczema, asthma and hayfever
What are some aggravating factors for eczema?
- Stress
- Infection
- Dryness
- Allergy
Give 5 endogenous types of dermatitis
- Atopic
- Discord
- Pompholyx
- Gravitational
- Seborrhoeic
Give 3 exogenous types of dermatitis
- Irritant
- Allergic
- Photodermatitis
Prognosis of eczema?
Is a lifelong disease (chronic) but can be controlled with medications.
What is the diagnostic criteria for atopic eczema?
- Major criteria:
- Itchy skin condition (or reports or rubbing/scratching)
- Minor criteria:
- Onset <2 years
- History of skin crease involvement (includes cheeks)
- History of dry skin
- Personal or 1st degree relative history of atopic disease
- Visible flexural dermatitis
Give the typical presentation of atopic eczema (where on the body, what they look like)
Where → Flexor surfaces (insides of elbows, insides of knees)
Look: Dry, red, itchy and sore patches of skin
What potential viral skin infection are those with eczema at risk of?
Eczema Herpeticum
What is Eczema Herpeticum?
A viral skin infection in patients with eczema caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) or varicella zoster virus (VSV)
What virus is Eczema Herpeticum caused by?
Either a) VSV, b) HSV
Why are those with eczema more at risk of opportunistic bacterial infections?
The breakdown in the skin’s protective barrier allows an entry point for infective organisms
What is the most common pathogen causing opportunistic bacterial infections in those with eczema?
What is the treatment?
Pathogen → S. aureus
Treatment → Flucloxacillin
What environmental factors may affect eczema symptoms?
- Changes in temperature
- Certain dietary products
- Washing powders
- Cleaning products
- Emotional events or stresses
Give the stepwise treatment in the management of eczema & treatment of eczema flares
Management:
- Daily → Emollients
- Prevention of flares → Calcineurin inhibitors (e.g. tacrolimus ointment, pimecrolimus cream)
Treatment of flares:
- 1st line → Topical steroids (e.g. hydrocortisone is mildest, dermovate is strongest)
- Further treatments include: oral antibiotics for 2ary infection, oral steroids, oral immunosuppressants (e.g. methotrexate, azathioprine, ciclosporin)
Purpose of emollients?
To create an artificial barrier over the skin to compensate for the defective skin barrier
What activities should be avoided in eczema?
Avoid activities that break down the skin barrier: bathing in hot water, scratching or scrubbing their skin and using soaps and body washes that remove the natural oils in the skin
Difference between irritant contact and allergic contact dermatitis?
Irritant → Due to superficial damage of the skin surface
Allergic → Due to a substance or material in contact with the skin causing an allergic reaction.
Which type of dermatitis is often linked to occupation (e.g. soap)?
Irritant contact dermatitis - can be seen in hairdressers, nurses etc
Which type of dermatitis is often seen around mouths of children? Why?
Irritant contact - due to excessive licking or dribble (saliva is alkaline)
Why does superficial damage of the skin surface lead to irritant contact dermatitis?
- Due to damage of the skin surface by a substance or material, allowing deeper penetration of the irritant
- The extent depends on the irritant and amount/length/frequency of irritant exposure
What are common irritants for irritant contact dermatitis?
soaps, detergents, adhesives and friction caused by materials
Presentation of irritant contact dermatitis?
- Usually only present within the area of contact with the irritant
- Red itchy patch, can be well demarcated and dry
- May be swelling and blistering with severe reactions to strong irritants
Management of irritant contact dermatitis?
- Avoidance of irritant
- Emollients
- Topical steroids
What is most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis?
More common in women due to an allergy to nickel present in jewellery
What type of hypersensitivity reaction is allergic contact dermatitis?
Type 4 delayed - 48-72 hours to appear after exposure (delayed)
Treatment of allergic contact dermatitis?
- Identify the allergen and take avoidant measures
- Emollients
- Topical steroids
Presentation of allergic contact dermatitis?
- It may resolve on its own as long as the allergen is removed
- Usually only affects the area which had direct contact with the allergen but may spread
- Often red & itchy but can become swollen and develop blisters & fissures
How is allergic contact dermatitis confirmed?
By a patch test
What is a mild form of sebhorrhoeic dermatitis known as?
Dandruff
Cause of sebhorrhoeic dermatitis?
Due to an overgrowth of the yeast Malassezia
Which type of dermatitis often affects the lower legs of elderly patients?
Stasis dermatitis/venous eczema
Cause of stasis dermatitis?
Venous insufficiency - results in fluid pooling in the tissues of the leg, activating an immune response and leading to inflammation
Risk factors for stasis dermatitis?
- DVT
- Cellulitis
- Chronic leg swelling
- Varicose veins
- Venous leg ulcers
Which type of dermatitis presents with;
a) haemosiderin deposition
b) atrophie blanche
c) lipodermatosclerosis
d) ‘champagne bottle’ lower leg shape
Stasis dermatitis
Clinical features of stasis dermatitis
- Patches/plaques can be itchy, red and blistered or dry and scaly
- Haemosiderin deposition causes a brown discolouration
- Atrophie blanche – white patches of thin and scarred skin
- Lipodermatosclerosis – skin thickening
- ‘Champagne bottle’ lower leg shape
- 2ary infection can occur leading to cellulitis (S. pypgenes)
What type of dermatitis is often caused by and exacerbated by low humidity conditions and excess washing?
Asteatotic dermatitis
What is psoriasis?
A chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory skin condition that causes recurrent symptoms of psoriatic skin lesions.
Pathophysiology of psoriasis?
- T cells are inappropriately induced to produce cytokines that stimulate inflammatory cell infiltration (leading to erythema) and keratinocyte proliferation (leading to scale as the stratum corneum is shed from the skin)
- Skin changes caused by rapid regeneration of new skin cells – resulting in an abnormal buildup and thickening of skin in those areas
What causes the ‘scale’ seen in psoriasis?
Keratinocyte proliferation leads to scale as the stratum corneum is shed from the skin
What is the Auspitz sign?
Gentle scraping and removal of scale causes pinpoint capillary bleeding
What would an Auspitz’s sign potentially indicate?
Psoriasis
Give some precipitating factors for psoriasis
- Infections – streptococcal (associated with guttate psoriasis)
- Hormonal changes – e.g. postpartum
- Initiation, withdrawal or change in dose of some medications e.g. lithium, chloroquine and derivatives, and steroids (systemic & potent topical forms)
Which type of psoriasis is associated with a previous Strep infection?
Guttate
Give some exacerbating factors for psoriasis
- Trauma e.g. cuts, abrasions or sunburn – may precipitate spread of plaques to unaffected areas (Koebner phenomenon)
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Some medications
- Psychological stress
What can be a relieving factor for psoriasis?
Sunlight
Describe the typical presentation of psoriatic lesions
- Typically found on extensor surfaces - normally scalp, elbows and knees
- Red (erythematous)
- Scaly plaques (areas of thickened skin)
What other symptoms/signs may psoriasis present with?
- Nail changes - pitting, onycholysis
- Joint pain and stiffness (psoriatic arthritis)
What is the most common type of psoriasis?
Chronic plaque psoriasis (90%)