Eczema

Question 1

What is eczema also known as?

Answer 1

Atopic dermatitis

Question 2

What areas does it commonly affect?

Answer 2

Flexural areas

Question 3

What is the definition of atopic eczema?

Answer 3

Itchy skin condition in the last 12 months plus 3 of the following

Onset before age 2
History of flexural involvement
History of generally dry skin
History of other atopic disease

Question 4

What is spongiosis?

Answer 4

Intercellular oedema within the skin

Question 5

What is acanthosis?

Answer 5

Thickening of the epidermis

Question 6

What gene is associated with atopic eczema?

Answer 6

Filaggrin gene

Question 7

What is the pathogenesis of eczema?

Answer 7

Genetics
Environmental factors
Epidermal barrier dysfunction

Question 8

What are the clinical features of eczema?

Answer 8

Itch

Distribution in flexures, face, hands and feet

Question 9

What are the acute changes of eczema?

Answer 9

Pruritis 
Eyrthema 
Scale 
Papules 
Vesicles 
Exudate, crusting

Question 10

What are the chronic changes of eczema?

Answer 10

Lichenification
Plaques
Fissuring

Question 11

What are some of the external causes of eczema?

Answer 11

Contact dermatitis
Lichen simplex
Photoallergic or photo aggravated eczema

Question 12

What are some of the internal types of eczema?

Answer 12

Atopic 
Discoid
Venous 
Seborrhagic dermatitis 
Pompholyx

Question 13

What type of reaction is allergic contact dermatitis?

Answer 13

Type 4 hypersensitivity

Question 14

What can cause irritant contact dermatitis?

Answer 14

Friction
Cold
Over exposure to water
Chemicals (acids, detergents, solvents)

Question 15

Who are commonly affected by irritant contact dermatitis?

Answer 15

Hairdressers
NHS staff
Cleaners
Nappy rash

Question 16

What test is used to test for type 4 hypersensitivity?

Answer 16

Patch testing

Question 17

What is a common name for seborrhagic dermatitis in children?

Answer 17

Cradle cap

Question 18

What is the cause of seborrhagic dermatitis?

Answer 18

Overproduction of malassezia yeast

Question 19

What are the signs of seborrhagic dermatitis?

Answer 19

Red, sharply marginated lesions covered with greasy looking scales

Question 20

What is the treatment for seborrhagic dermatitis?

Answer 20

Topical anti-yeast (ketoconazole)

Question 21

What is the appearance of discoid eczema?

Answer 21

Circular plaques of eczema

Question 22

What are the signs of pompholyx/vesiular eczema?

Answer 22

Intensely itchy

Common on palms and soles

Question 23

What is the appearance of asteatotic eczema?

Answer 23

Cracked and scaly

Very dry skin

Question 24

What is the treatment for asteatotic eczema?

Answer 24

Emollients

Question 25

Where is a common area affected by venous eczema?

Answer 25

Ankle and lower leg

Question 26

What is a resolution for venous eczema?

Answer 26

Compression stockings

Question 27

What are the clinical symptoms of eczema herpeticum?

Answer 27

Fever, often unwell
Itchy clusters of blisters and erosions
Swollen lymph glands

Question 28

What causes eczema herpeticum?

Answer 28

Herpes simplex 1 and 2

Question 29

What is the general treatments for eczema?

Answer 29

Emollients
Soap substitutes
Intermittent topical steroids
Calcineurin inhibitors

Question 30

What are some of the treatments for severe eczema?

Answer 30

UV light

Immunosuppression