Disease/ Infection Skin (W1) Flashcards
LO’s
- Describe how systemic infections and disease can manifest in the skin, e.g. viral rash, vasculitis, diabetes, endocrine disease and connective tissue disorder.
- Describe the pathophysiology, presentation and clinical consequences of infections of the skin, e.g. cellulitis.
- Describe the therapeutic approach in the treatment of infections of the skin.
Why is the skin useful to look at?
The skin is a window that can be used to identify underlying systemic diseases.
In which two ways can viral infections manifest themselves?
- Viral infections can manifest as two types of rashes:
- Maculopapular rash: this is a red rash. Contains both macules (flat, discoloured skin) and papules (a small raised bump). For example, seen in measles.
- Vesicular rash: the presence of one or more vesicles/blisters.
Name the viral causes of maculopapular rashes?
Typical viral causes of maculopapular rash include:
–Measles
–Rubella (German measles)
–Parvovirus B19: common infection in children (slapped cheek syndrome)
–Human Herpes Virus 6 and 7
–Enteroviruses
Name the viral causes of vesicular rashes?
- HSV: Herpes Simplex Virus
- VZV: Varicella Zoster Virus (causes chicken pox, and shingles)
- Enteroviruses
- Poxviruses e.g small-pox
What is vasculitis?
- Inflammation of the blood vessels.
- It has a wide range of causes and symptoms depend on the blood vessels affected.
- For example Kawazaki disease and Microscopic Polyangiitis are vasculitis.
- It can cause a rash called “palpable purpura,” which are purplish/red spots, usually found on the legs.
What is diabetic dermopathy?
- A skin manifestation of diabetes
- Light brown, scaly patches
- Oval or circular
- Most often occurs on the front of both legs
- Harmless
What is Acanthosis Nigricans?
- Skin manifestation of diabetes.
- Tan/brown raised areas appear on the sides of the neck, armpits and groin.
- Can be a sign of maliganancy.
Describe diabetic blisters?
- Rare eruption of blisters in diabetics
- Painless and have no inflammation
- Self-healing themselves
- Treatment is to bring blood sugar levels under control
What is Eruptive Xanthomatosis?
- Firm, yellow, pea-like enlargements in the skin
- Red halo and may itch
- Sign of uncontrolled type 1 diabetes- often in young men
- Treatment – get diabetes under control
What is SLE / Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?
•Autoimmune disease in which antinuclear antibodies damage/ attack skin and other connective tissues.
•Lupus erythematosus describes the typical rash of SLE.
Describe Impetigo?
- Superficial skin infection.
- Crusty lesions of dried serum.
- Caused by S. aureus occasionally by S. pyogenes.
- Treatment for localised infection is fusidic acid.
- Widespread infection flucloxacillin.
What is the difference between Folliculitis / Furuncle / Carbuncle?
- Folliculitis superficial infection of the hair follicles causing papules/bumps and pustules/bump with pus.
- Furuncles (boils) are deeper infections of the hair follicle characterized by inflammatory nodules with pustular drainage.
- Carbuncles are coalesced/combined boils-large furuncles
•Cause is usually S. aureus
What is the difference between Cellulitis / Erysipelas? ATTATCH PICTURES
- Spreading bacterial infection of the skin.
- Cellulitis deep subcutaneous tissue.
- Erysipelas superficial form of cellulitis dermis and upper subcutaneous tissue (uniform appearance / defined edges).
- Mainly caused by Streptococcus Pyogenes (Erysipelas) and Staphylococcus Aureus (cellulitis).
- Treat with flucloxacillin (Staph) or benzylpenicillin (Strep).
What is Necrotising Fasciitis?
- Rapidly spreading infection of the deep fascia.
- Cause mainly group A haemolytic streptococcus, or a mixture of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. Sometimes marine Vibrio Spp.
- 50% of cases occur in previously healthy individuals!
- Symptoms = severe pain.
