Dermis diseases

Question 1

Cutis laxa

Answer 1

• mutations in elastin
• loose redundant skin that lacks recoil and is inelastic
• “hound dog face”
• can also be associated with pulmonary emphysema, diaphragmatic hernias, diverticulae of the GI tract and bladder

Question 2

Marfan Syndrome

Answer 2

• mutation in fibrillin
• tall, thin body habitus; long thin fingers, heart problems
• skin problems may include stretch marks, decreased subcutaneous fat and a rash caleld elastosis perforans, serpinginosa (EPS)

Question 3

Scleroderma

Answer 3

• acquired condition may be associated with autoAbs to fibrillin or overstimulation of fibroblasts
• excessive extracellular matrix results in thickened, fibrotic skin
• “salt and pepper” pigment loss
• associated with Raynaud’s

Question 4

Photoaging

Answer 4

• decrease in skin elasticity over the lifetime due to degradation of elastic fibers.
• increased ratio of Type III to Type I collagen.