Dry Skin, Insects, & Sunburns Flashcards by Anna Van Dekerkhove

What 2 types of dry skin are self-treatable?

Mild and moderate

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What type of dry skin is not self-treatable?

Severe

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What are characteristics of mild dry skin?

Mild roughness; Mild or no itching; No pain; Mild or no redness

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What are characteristics of moderate dry skin?

Rough and moderate scaling; Mild or moderate itching; Some pain; Mild redness; Possible fissures

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What are characteristics of severe dry skin?

Rough and severe scaling; Severe itching; Severe pain; Moderate redness; Likely to have fissures

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What are 6 environmental factors that can cause dry skin?

Electric heat; Air conditioning; Wood burning stoves; Fireplaces; Dry, cold, or low-humidity climates; Chronic exposure to sunlight

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What are 6 lifestyle factors that can cause dry skin?

Bathing or showering often in hot water; Chlorinated pools; Use of harsh soaps and detergents; Skin sensitizers (lanolin, aloe vera); Poor hydration; High intake of caffeinated beverages

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What are 3 medical conditions that can cause or aggravate dry skin?

Eczema or psoriasis; HIV, diabetes, chronic renal failure; Malnutrition

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What are 4 types of medications that can cause or aggravate dry skin?

Acne medications (accutane, benzoyl peroxide); Chemotherapy agents; Gels that contain alcohol; Diuretics in high doses

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What should be done in an assessment of dry skin?

Location (where and how large); Symptoms (what, when did they start, when are they better or worse); Past history; Any new medications started recently?; Lifestyle assessment (baths, use of soaps, environment, previous treatments)

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When should you refer a dry skin patient to a doctor?

Large area (over 30% of body); Under 2 or over 60; Less than 50% improvement after 7-10 days; Signs of infection; Medical conditions that impair wound healing; Severe symptoms

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What do occlusives do?

Form a barrier on skin that blocks water loss from skins surface

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What are occlusives recommended for?

Dry skin on hands and feet

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How often should occlusives be applied?

As often as required

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What are examples of occlusives?

Lanolin; Petrolatum; Beeswax

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What do humectants do?

Increase water content of the skin by drawing water from dermis to epidermis

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When are humectants recommended?

When moderate scaling is present of other products have failed

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When should humectants be applied?

2-3 times daily

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What are examples of humectants?

Glycerin; Urea or lactic acid

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What do emollients do?

Fill cracks/fissures produced by dry skin by filling the spaces around the cracks

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What is the most common cause of dry skin?

Water loss from skins surface

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What are ointments used for?

Chronic, very dry skin and areas with fissures

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What is a disadvantage to ointments?

Usually greasy and may be difficult to spread and remove

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When should ointments be applied?

At night

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Where should ointments NOT be used?

Face or skin folds; Areas that are moist, weeping, oozing, infected or acne prone

What is an advantage to creams?

Well absorbed and easy to spread, so can be used during the day

Where can creams be applied?

Basically everywhere

What is the difference between ointments, creams, and lotions?

- Ointments are 80% oil/20% water - Creams are half water and half oil - Lotions are more water than oil

What are lotions useful for?

Hairy areas and if immediate absorption is necessary

Out of ointments, creams, and lotions which should be applied most often?

Lotions

What is a disadvantage of gels?

Can be drying when used for long periods of time

What are gels useful for?

Hairy areas

What are colloidal oatmeal products used for?

Relief of itching

What are characteristics of an ideal cleanser?

Soap free; Fragrance free; Rich in emollients; Does not disrupt pH

What is a CDA approved cleanser?

Cerave hydrating cleanser

What are 3 OTC products for dry skin?

- Cerave cream or lotion - Eucerin complete repair lotions - Marcelle products

What are 5 examples of non-pharmacological treatments for dry skin?

Re-hydrate with moisturizers or bath oils; Short baths or showers; Warm (not hot) water; Pat (not rub) body dry; Mild cleansers (no perfume); Increase humidity during winter months

Are honeybees a stinging or biting insect?

- Stinging | - Stinger has barbs that must be removed to prevent release of venom

What is the reaction of a honeybee sting?

- Localized pain - Redness and swelling - Itching and irritation

Are bumblebees a stinging or biting insect?

- Stinging | - Stinger has no barbs, and are able to sting multiple times

What is the reaction of a honeybee sting?

- Swelling and irritation | - Rarely causes allergies

Are wasps a stinging or biting insect?

- Stinging | - Stinger has no barbs and can sting multiple times

What is the reaction to a wasp or hornet sting?

- Redness, some swelling | - Itching and minor pain at sting site

Are hornets stinging or biting insects?

- Stinging | - Stinger has no barbs, so can sting multiple times

How can you prevent getting stung by bees, wasps, or hornets?

- Avoid perfumes and scented soaps - Avoid leaving food outdoors - Avoid bright coloured clothing - Avoid swatting at the insects - Avoid outdoors at dawn and dusk

What is the general treatment for bee, wasp, and hornet bites?

- Remove stinger - Apply ice to reduce swelling - Clean area - OTC anti-histamines to relieve itching

What is the reaction of a flea bite?

- Small red bumps in groups of 3 | - Some itching with a red rash

How can you prevent flea bites?

- Treat pets who carry - Avoid sleeping with pets with fleas - Avoid contact with stray animals

What is the reaction of a brown recluse spider bite?

- Redness and swelling | - Painful ulcer within 2-8 hours after bite

What is the reaction of a black widow spider bite?

- Local pain at bite site within 30-60 minutes - Redness at site - Cramps, abdominal pain

What is the reaction of a bed bug bite?

- Itchy, hard, swollen welts that last days to weeks | - Usually found on arms, legs, shoulders or neck

What are the symptoms of West Nile virus?

Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches

What is the reaction to a tick bite?

- Usually painless | - May have some itching, burning, and redness

What are the symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?

- Abrupt onset of fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain - Rash on wrists and ankles

What are symptoms of Lyme disease?

- Fatigue - Headache - Fever - Chills - Joint pain

When should DEET not be used?

Children under 6 months

Should bug spray or sunscreen be applied first and why?

Sunscreen first so it can absorb and if insect repellant was applied first the sunscreen would dilute it or cause too much to be absorbed

What are 2 common natural products for insect repellant?

- Soybean oil | - Citronella

What type of sunburns can be self-treated?

1st degree and mild 2nd degree

What types of sunburns should be referred?

Severe 2nd degree and 3rd degree

What are 4 causes of burns?

- Thermal (flames) - Chemical (acids) - Radiation (sun) - Electrical (lightning)

What is a 1st degree burn?

- Affects epidermis | - Appears pink/red; no blisters; mild skin peeling; pain for 2-3 days

What is the appearance of a superficial partial thickness 2nd degree burn?

- Moist weeping red blisters | - Painful

What is the appearance of a deep partial thickness 2nd degree burn?

- Wet or waxy - Red and patchy - Large blisters - Pain with pressure

What is the appearance of a 3rd degree burn?

- Dry and leathery - Waxy white, gray, brown, or black - Some swelling - Painless to touch because nerve endings have been destroyed

When should you refer a burn?

- Burn where skin is thin - Children under 2 and adults over 55 - Chemical, electrical or inhalation burns - Burns with more than a few blisters - Patients with diabetes, HIV, immunocompromised

How can sunburns be prevented in children under 6 months?

- Avoid sun exposure | - Protective coverings (wide brimmed hats, long sleeves, shade covers)

What type of sunscreen is safe for animals?

Titanium oxide

What are some non-pharmacological treatments of sunburns?

- Reduce exposure - Stay in shade when possible - Wear clothing that covers as much of the body as possible - Wear sunglasses - Wear wide brimmed hat