Eczema Flashcards
What is hyperkeratosis?
Increased thickness of the keratin layer
What is parakeratosis?
Persistence of nuclei in the keratin layer
What is acanthosis?
An increased thickness of the epidermis
What 2 things are commonly seen in a biopsy of skin with eczema?
Spongiosis - oedema between keratinocytes
Inflammatory cell infiltrate
What is the classic description of eczema?
Itchy, ill-defined, erythematous and scaly
How is contact allergic dermatitis diagnosed?
Patch testing
What are three common chronic changes in atopic eczema?
Lichenification
Excoriation
Secondary infection
What does crusting in atopic eczema indicate?
Staph Aureus infection
What is the identifiable feature of eczema herpeticum?
Monomorphic punched-out lesions due to herpes simplex virus
What are the main treatments of eczema?
Emollients
Avoidance of irritants
Topical steroids
Treating infection
Phototherapy
What 3 things can stasis eczema occur secondary to?
Hydrostatic pressure
Oedema
Red cell extravasation
What is the identifiable feature of pompholyx eczema?
Spongiotic vesicles that are intensely itchy
What can be seen in acute phase dermatitis?
Papulovesicular rash
Erythematous lesions
Spongiosis (oedema)
Ooze / scaling / crusting
What can be seen in chronic phase dermatitis?
Lichenification (thickening)
Elevated plaques
Increased scaling
What type of dermatitis do contact allergic, contact irritant and atopic dermatitis fall under?
Spongiotic dermatitis
What type of dermatitis is drug-related dermatitis?
Spongiotic dermatitis with eosinophils
What is the main symptom of atopic eczema?
Pruritis
What is associated with atopic eczema?
Other atopic diseases:
Asthma
Food allergy
Allergic rhinitis
What is the main distribution of atopic eczema?
Flexural distribution
